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W. E. B. Du Bois Center to Reflect on Democracy this Season

The center's first Executive Director Ny Whitaker.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy held a pre-birthday reception on Feb. 22, at Saint James Place in honor of civil rights pioneer W.E.B Du Bois. 

During the event community members met the center's first Executive Director Ny Whitaker and Michael Blake, the inaugural visiting scholar in democracy. 

"As Du Bois contemplated our collective challenges, he also set out a vision for what our democracy could be and called us to action for the role that we could take in making it a reality," Whitaker said. 

The night hinted at some of the topics the center will showcase during this year's programming themed "Reflections on Democracy." The season will run from March through October. and will have a closing reception in November. 

Attendees also had a chance to have a first look at the preliminary designs for the restoration of Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church. 

During the evening, Whitaker asked audience members to reflect on the current state of our democracy. She also encouraged audience members to write down their hopes for the future of our democracy in 2024 on postcards that will be posted on their website and to continue the conversation outside of the evening's activities. 

More information on Whitaker, her goals in the position, and the center's restoration here. 

Blake, a scholar, a lay minister, entrepreneur, and educator who will be the moderator for the center's Visiting Scholar Salon Series, demonstrated how relevant Du Bois's ideas are today with one of his quotes: "he said ‘There can be no perfect democracy curtailed by color, race, or poverty. But with all we accomplish all, even Peace.' That is the reason why we're here not just for tonight, but what we have to do within the center and the work'."

"These words are still pertinent today when looking at what is happening in our country," Blake said. 

"Democracy is not about the protection of a particular party. Democracy is that we can be party of something greater for all of us. And that is what we do," Blake said. 

Blake recently completed a tenure as a visiting scholar at Harvard and was a White House aide under President Barack Obama. He also served as an Assembly member in New York for three terms and is the former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. 

Blake continued and quoted  President John F. Kennedy: "' Amongst a divided community…whenever there's a child without milk, so long as they are hungry parents and working farmers. So long as they are seniors without pensions. So long will be the need for leadership. And that is the beauty of democracy and that is the beauty of why we're here tonight," Blake said. 

Blake added it is not a coincidence that Whitaker, an afro-Latina, was chosen for the role of the center's Executive Director, he said. 

"To all the women in the room, you should be appalled by what we're seeing. what's happening in the country right now. And I say to people all day, every day, it doesn't matter your gender. I'm a man and I'm a feminist," Blake said. 

"And don't talk to me about what's happening in communities. If something's happened in one community, all of us should be upset, and all of us should be doing something. And that is the reason why we're here tonight and that is the reason I'm so grateful to be with you."

In his address, the center's secretary, John Speer, highlighted attempts throughout history to rewrite and erase historical accounts. Speer shared a personal anecdote of witnessing such tactics but experiencing a profound awakening during a trip to Ghana in West Africa.

When Speer went to Ghana this summer to walk the path of his ancestry, he said he went on an emotional journey of anger, power, and peace. He said he was angry because he believed the lie about the "cooperation of West Africa, in the enslavement of African peoples." 

He said he put his hands in the Assin Manso Slave River, and he chose power and peace because he was welcomed home by his family in Ghana who chose to give him "the power in the gift of truth," Speer said.

"And so I went from ignorance to truth. And in that truth, it gave me the courage to choose justice and to choose democracy and it's really important for me as a teacher, because our history has always been contraband."

Du Bois warned society not to fall for this, otherwise "we will continue to deny our political ideas and make a mockery of our philanthropic aims as a nation," Speer said. 

Speer urged attendees to participate and labor together in "not only reflecting on democracy but changing the trajectory of that history to honor and uplift who we are as people together because we must labor with and for one another."

More information on the center here. Photos from the event here. 

Rain Slows Growth of Butternut Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point. 

It's the largest wildfire in the Berkshires since nearly a 1,000 acres burned in Clarksburg State Forest back in 2021. 

"We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..

"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not have an official size. What we do know — the growth has been minimal."

Fire Lt. Brian Mead earlier Thursday morning said the fire had seen some growth overnight but not to extent of Wednesday's surge. Fire was reported within a quarter mile of homes and was "stopped in its tracks." There are now more than 100 personnel on the ground and there has been one injury related to the fire, which he did not elaborate on.

 

"The rain will help to some extent but it will not extinguish the fire," said Mead. "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come but we still need your help. Please, please follow the local and state bans on outdoor fire. The last thing we need is another preventable fire."

At 4 p.m., the department reported that it will continue to operate under unified command with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Friday's operations will be scaled back with smaller crews and focused on monitoring and reporting.

At the last live update of the day, Mead said the fire would continue to be monitored and fire crews dispatched as needed. 

 

"There is a lot of misinformation on out social media and we ask that you please, please rely on local official sites," he said. "Please avoid the areas and allow us to do our work."

 

The rain and smoke has made drone monitoring difficult so the exact size of the fire is not known; he estimated it grew about 100 acres over the past 24 hours. 

Two rumors he dispelled were that the fire did not start at Camp Eisner. Mead said the initial location of the burn has not been identified but it did not start at the camp, which is occupied. Ski Butternut is also not in danger and that fire crews have kept the blaze to a safe distance. 

A section of the Appalachian Trail has been affected and that area shut down. 

Thursday's rain slowed growth and allowed crews to establish strong fire boundaries meaning that swaths have been cut and cleared to create fire breaks — which are holding.

At this time, no homes or structures are in immediate danger.

The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered over 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Firefighters were dispatched to three locations for concerns of fire extension into homes and in one instance, the fire was allowed to continue in a controlled state to a driveway and self-extinguished.  They are aware of one injury from the fire and urge community members to avoid the area and leave firefighting to the professionals.

"More than 120 personnel are on the ground today fighting this fire," Mead reported on Thursday morning.

He said the day’s rain will help to some extent but will not extinguish the fire, explaining "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come."  

At this time, the primary focus remains the protection of life and property, as patrols and alert residents identified some encroaching fire and stopped it in its tracks.

"We have strategically placed structural task forces, prepared to protect homes and property. Although they are staged and at the ready — there is NO immediate threat to residents," the department wrote in the 12:45 update.

"At the same time, crews have been working through the rain cutting fire breaks in the forest to further stop any expansion. Those control lines are holding."

Area residents can expect smoke to linger for the next several days. The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative released guidance for the poor air quality, as it can worsen allergies and cause respiratory infections, especially for those with heart disease asthma, or other lung diseases.

Residents are urged to monitor air quality and symptoms, move outdoor activities inside, wear a KN-95 mask when outdoors, close windows and vents in homes, and use HEPA filters.

Even with recent rains — there is a burn ban in Great Barrington until further notice. Additionally, state officials are evaluating week by week for statewide bans.

"With an immense amount of appreciation, we are not accepting donations at this time. In true New England fashion — neighbors have truly helped neighbors," the department wrote. "We are grateful to the community for once again showing your support."

Mead urged the community to "please please follow the local and state bans on fire, the last thing we need is another preventable fire."