In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, seeking to use a federal law to override the "sanctuary" policies of free states that provided safety to anyone fleeing bondage who crossed their state lines.
However, the newly empowered federal marshals (and a number of private citizens) not only went after those who had fled their chains, but stopped anyone whose skin tone was insufficiently pale. Even if the "suspect" presented evidence of free status, they could see their papers ripped up and be sent into slavery.
Today, 175 years later, does this begin to sound familiar?
Anne Skinner Williamstown, Mass.
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Mount Greylock Hosts Argentinian Students for Exchange Program
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Mount Greylock Regional High School is currently hosting 36 students from La Cumbre, Argentina, for a two-week cultural exchange program.
The program, organized by Mount Greylock Spanish Department, involves a variety of cultural and social events for the visiting students.
"It is incredibly impactful on their academic experience," said Shannon Vigeant, Spanish teacher and Spanish Club adviser. "This allows them to experience the world in different ways, to connect to the language in a different way, and bring life to learning."
Vigeant organized the program with her colleagues Joe Johnson and Amy Kirby, also Spanish teachers at the school. She said it took some time to coordinate the exchange, which saw 25 Mount Greylock students visit La Cumbre last year.
"This is something we wanted to do for a long time, but we had a hard time getting it off the ground," Vigeant said. "We were just getting everyone on board and then COVID hit. It took about a year and a half, two years."
The Argentinian students, who arrived April 11, are improving their English language skills and immersing themselves in American culture. Simultaneously, Mount Greylock students are enhancing their Spanish language abilities and broadening their global perspectives.
"We're making friends from other countries, so I think that's a great experience," said Mount Greylock student Rafa Mellow-Bartels. "So to meet people from such a different part of the world from a different culture is interesting. We can learn about them, and now we get to show them what we do."
Mount Greylock Regional High School is currently hosting 36 students from La Cumbre, Argentina, for a two-week cultural exchange program.
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