I am writing to endorse Larry Freeman for the School Committee. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a gathering of Indian American students where we had the rare opportunity to share our honest experiences about our education, including how the curriculum represents diverse cultures and histories.
When I spoke about my experiences as a Hindu and Indian student, Mr. Freeman was not only curious—he was profoundly empathetic and shared that he had similar experiences growing up as an African American. I shared how aspects of the curriculum often felt not just unrepresentative but, at times, even made me question whether my heritage was valued. As someone fortunate to have loving parents at home, I have the support to navigate these challenges, but I know that not every student does. That’s why it meant so much to have an adult truly listen and believe our perspectives.
My conversation with Mr. Freeman made me realize how important it is for students to have a voice—and, just as importantly, for leaders to be willing to hear and act on what we say. Mr. Freeman understands that schools should be places where all students feel valued and affirmed, and he has shown a real commitment to making that a reality.
I also had the pleasure of seeing him at the School Committee meeting where they voted for a more inclusive calendar, which included Diwali, a Hindu holiday—something I spoke and wrote about. An inclusive calendar is not the end, but a start to being seen in a world where we often don’t belong. I later learned that Mr. Freeman was on the calendar committee and advocated for adding these holidays, which received some backlash.
For students like me, representation in education matters. Feeling seen and heard matters, and having leaders like Mr. Freeman, who are ready to engage with students and advocate for meaningful change, even at the cost of their own popularity, makes all the difference. That is why I am proud to support Mr. Freeman for the School Committee.