Vandalism at the Dudley Community Center - A Shot to My Heart Stay Strong Brothers and Sisters!

I came to the community to intern in journalism. It's with sadness I had to witness the recent vandalism and hate crime against the Dudley Community Center and the new community gardens. 

When I took the assignment to intern with Mr. Edwards and AlamogordoTownNews.com one of the stories that I was tracking, was the Dudley School conversion, from a derelict building to one, to bring hope to the neighborhood. When I interviewed for the role. I questioned the role of 2nd Life Media in that very project, hoping they were involved in some form or fashion.

Mr. Edwards explained that Mr. Sepulveda was on the board of the Historic Society at one point, and that he passionate about this project. He also explained that both are strong supporters  for Mayor Pro Tem Sharon McDonald's efforts to reimagine the neighborhood into one that is no longer neglected,but one that showcases its history, culture and pride. 

He explained that the school was the second school  to be built in Alamogordo after the East School. The East school was built in a wealthier part of town and the Dudley was built in the poorer more Hispanic and working class part of town.

As a Black female that in interested in the times of segregation, Alamogordo came up as a mention in a few textbooks as being progressive for its time, with a focus on education of all races early, and well before it was a mandated public education goal. Discovering that the Alamogordo model of integration from the 1950s was the model for many school systems peaked my interest to learn more about this community.

I was intrigued to discover in old news articles that this school was a school to teach Mexican kids English. In my recent research, I've discovered Hispanic children attended all the Alamogordo schools and they integrated at an early age, if the child could speak and comprehend English. It was intriguing to me, that Dudley was more of a transitional school to teach children English, rather than a segregated school like Corinth was in its time. What was interesting to me is that once the children mastered English the students then transitioned onto the traditional middle school and high school.

Given the times that was very progressive thinking and very progressive for a small rural ranching and railroad town. I found it awesome that an Olympic Athlete from the 40s was Hispanic attended the APS system of which Dudley was a part and learned English, then integrated into the high school to eventually excel in college and the Olympics. Few individuals made it to the Olympics in the 40s and 50s that were Hispanic or Black individuals from rural school systems. The rural systems struggled in teaching Spanish speaking children and providing them any chance or opportunity for such an achievement. That showed me an example of a system that was progressive then and created opportunities for Spanish speaking kids to grow and move forward regardless of background or economics.

The fire at Dudley this weekend was a shot across my heart. 

The investigation that the fire could have been much worse as it was planned. I fear the fire speaks to underlying issues within the community. 

That being, some individuals don't understand the schools historic importance in the past and what it is doing already today to build bridges of understanding and unifying a neighborhood as a symbol of hope and renewal.

My passion as an outsider, for this project was seeing it championed by a "soul sister" the respected Mayor Pro Tem Sharon McDonald. In my research I saw the building sat vacant and was a home to the homeless. The district and neighborhood Dudley sat in had been neglected since its founding. Many of the streets are just now getting sidewalks 125 years after it was founded for God's sake!

The district has had Hispanic representation, white representation and black male representation on the city commission, but its took a "soul sister" who grew up in the neighborhood to be elected to actually get the job done and moving forward. The project was finally taken seriously and considered when that sister, championed collaboration from diverse groups and the city together, to make it happen; unifying the local Mexicans, Hispanics, Blacks and low income white neighbors; traditional to the neighborhood, to create something of pride.

Then with the announcement of a community garden adjacent to the property and a collaborative effort to the Dudley Community Center, I was further moved to see the idea of a true "community center" was coming together to drive pride to the neighborhood. 

I saw even further hope when I saw the group With Many Hands Alamogordo take on the challenge. I was even more excited when I saw another soul sister driving that effort forward. What impressed me about that is my soul sister Courtney McCary-Squyres is young, she did not grow up in the neighborhood like Mrs. McDonald, so this is a generational jump of strong black women, committed to bridging collaboration, and building a community presence around pride, hard work and a better community. To me that is inspiring!

So to be inspired and see the love that was shown at the ribbon cutting this weekend; it broke my heart to hear, read and witness that someone attempted to sabotage this great effort by these two passionate and strong black women in partnership with Joe Lewandowski from the Tularosa Basin Museum. These women have poured countless hours as have others into making something for the community to be proud of. 

The arson and vandalism committed was well thought and deliberate based upon the police reports. This was not some incident of a homeless individual getting into the building and an accident happened. This was not an illegal immigrant that crossed the border. This was not an accident but this was clearly a hate crime against a symbol of unity within the Hispanic/Mexican and African American or Black communities. 

This project is symbolic in taking a derrelect piece of property and transitioning it into a family friendly and safe place that the diverse community can be a part of. What a wonderful vision!!!!

Mr. Edwards has met with Sharon, spoke with Courtney, met with Joe, his partner Rene Sepulveda our business owner and publisher has directed our team to continue to tell the stories, and ensure the public is aware of the importance of this symbol of community unity. 

To my Black sisters, Sharon and Courtney, thank you for your drive and your passion don't let this act of ignorance get in the way of your dream and your vision of a unifying symbol of family and community in the neighborhood. 

To the board of the Tularosa Basin Museum and most especially to Joe and Debra Lewandowski, thank you and your staff for the efforts to bring these projects together and to light. Though we have not met yet, you are each amazing in your collaborative spirit and efforts to bring this project and so many others to light.

To my brothers and sisters of all races, colors and creeds let's get to the finish line, ensure that the reimagined Dudley Community Center and the creation of the Maryland Street Community Gardens happens and is executed well. 

Let's volunteer, lets donate and lets turn the act of hatred perpetuated Saturday evening, to be the fire that sparks a community in unity celebrating what we can do together to make a better Alamogordo.