Week 2 September 18: Native Origins (Environment and Green Spaces)
I’m surprised to say this, but in my four years, almost five, in Cambridge as a Harvard student, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Massachusetts state flag. Upon further research on government websites, I learned that the Massachusetts flag is a white flag with a blue shield that depicts a Massachuset with a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, with the arrow pointing downward as a symbol of peace. The presence of a white star signifies Massachusetts as one of the original thirteen states. Here, we can see the interaction between the writings of colonial history and indigenous history. If I were to memorialize the Massachuset, I would want to create something more dynamic or interactive. For example, a public fountain that is engraved with traditional Massachusett decor or a canoe-like bench opens up more conversations than a stern bronze statue. Not only is this type of monument better connected with public life, it also allows for tactile engagement that provides more historical...