The Norwood Clergy Association publicly endorsed the town’s participation in the METCO program, joining a growing number of suburban communities working to expand educational opportunity for Boston students during a period of intense national debate over school integration.
In a joint statement, local ministers affirmed that every child deserves the chance to “develop to their fullest potential,” and argued that Norwood had a moral responsibility to help reduce racial isolation in public schools. The clergy emphasized that METCO was not simply a busing program, but a way to build understanding between communities that rarely had the opportunity to learn together.
Among those signing the statement were Rev. A. Lee Hocutt of the United Church and Rev. Joseph Flynn of St. Timothy’s Church, along with other members of the association. Their support came as Norwood prepared for a public hearing on the program, which had already been adopted by several neighboring towns.
Source: The Patriot Ledger, May 27, 1968, via Newspapers.com
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