(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

We are nearly 15 months into the struggle for justice being waged by Somerville mother Flavia C. Peréa in defense of her 6-year-old son who was accused of sexual assault by the City of Somerville. At the time of the drafting of this letter to the editor the city has yet to issue a statement of apology for the bigotry directed at this local family.

In a letter to the editor in the Boston Globe, dated March 4th and authored by Mrs. Peréa, she outlines a list of indisputably rational and just demands that I fear will continue to be ignored in the absence of a continued pressure campaign by those who demand justice and empathy from city leaders. This should not be required in a city, that as Mrs. Flavia has stated, promotes Progressivism as “its brand.”

I think that it is time for the entire community to demand a joint statement in support of the Perea family from the School Committee. How can there be a banner supporting Black Lives on Somerville City Hall, while City Hall watches a child be pushed into the school-to-prison pipeline at the youngest age imaginable? This contradiction must be remedied. 

When I was a child, not much older than the accused, I remember my mother sharing with me the neighborhood saying, “I can’t hide my Somerville pride.” I feel like that is being challenged as a result of the inaction that I am observing by the City. What always made Somerville a place to be proud of is that we watched out for one another. We had empathy for each other. If a family was in distress, we stood up proudly to defend them.

Every morning that I wake up I look online for an official statement expressing regret for how the city handled the incident and every morning I feel my Somerville pride slipping away. This absence of empathy has gone on for too long. The word “sorry” should not be so difficult to state, especially in a city that claims such loyalty to the struggle that black and brown children and their families are facing. Enough is enough.

Matthew Hoey
Cambridge