As someone who grew up in Concord, attended its schools, and recently returned to raise my family here, I have been deeply unsettled by what I’ve seen over the past two years.
The 2024 controversies over school naming and other social issues opened my eyes to the stark reality that Concord remains one of the least diverse communities in the area — statistically, socially, and culturally.
There is a deep resistance to change in our community, with leadership often unwilling to take meaningful action.
The refusal of the School Committee to name the new middle school after Ellen Garrison, an influential Black abolitionist leader with a critically important narrative, was not just a disappointment; it was an embarrassment and a permanent stain on Concord’s reputation.
Who would want to raise a family in a community that doesn’t welcome people of different races? No one. As a Realtor, I am keenly aware that Concord is becoming a real estate pariah, a relic of the past, focused on busywork and other progressive issues while dismissing the needs of people who want the basics we all enjoy — to feel welcomed and supported.
We have forgotten empathy, compassion, and what being a great town and local leader means. It’s time to look critically at our town’s leadership, especially the School Committee, to ensure that it leads by example rather than continuing to blemish Concord’s prominent history.
I am incredibly excited about leaders like Dr. Michael Williams, who bring fresh perspectives and the courage to push for necessary change. Concord has the opportunity to be better, to live up to the ideals of progress it so often celebrates. But that won’t happen unless we actively work toward building a more inclusive community for all, a Concord for all.
Doug Walters
Isaac Davis Road
