Boston school apologizes after honoring communist dictators, revolutionaries during Hispanic Heritage Month

A Boston elementary school included communist and authoritarian leaders on a display for Hispanic Heritage Month, prompting backlash from parents and community members.

Perry K-6 School Principal Brendan McGrath apologized after a bulletin board featured Cuban communist dictator Fidel Castro, Argentine leader Juan Perón and Cuban communist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Each poster included a quote from the figure.

“[Guevara’s] role in authorizing and overseeing executions, particularly in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution, is well-documented,” according to Google AI.

Castro led communist Cuba for decades, Perón ruled Argentina as a left-wing strongman and Guevara was a Marxist revolutionary who helped install Castro’s regime. Historians estimate regimes and movements tied to these men caused tens of thousands of deaths. 

The display also featured other Hispanic figures, including singer Shakira, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. 

McGrath, who began his first year as principal this fall, told the Boston Herald the materials “were not vetted appropriately” and “should not have been displayed in the first place.” 

He apologized in a letter to the “Perry School Community,” saying, “I apologize for any offense it has caused. When this initially occurred, I apologized to the Perry staff.” 

The school purchased the posters for $5 each from an Algeria-based company called Little Star Learners, the report said.

State Sen. Nick Collins, D-South Boston, and other moderate Democratic lawmakers met virtually with parents and staff to address concerns. Collins called the removal of the display “welcome news.” 

“It shouldn’t take calls to elected officials and a community meeting to get basic communication and accountability from their principal,” he said. 

Courtney Kinney, a Boston Public Schools operational leader who oversees Perry, confirmed the display had been removed and called it “a huge mistake.” 

Some parents expressed shock over choosing such figures as Castro and Guevara for an elementary school display. Jeremiah Sparks, a Marine veteran and father, said the “communist rhetoric … was poor taste. 

“Especially in an elementary school, to start off on the right foot, we should be just careful to teach our kids how lucky we are and how great freedom is.” 

Others expressed concern about how the controversy reflected on the school. Parent Erin Welch said the three posters were “very politically charged” and questioned McGrath’s judgment. 

“I don’t want the kids to have to have that part of their day,” she said. “Are political things going to be entering the curriculum?” 

Boston Public Schools is continuing to address concerns at the school, officials said.