OPINION: Guest Column: Up from METCO Arthur Wellington Conquest III / brookline@wickedlocal.com Last week’s edition of this paper, staff reporter, Abby Patkin, penned a front-page article, “Black History Month must-read book recs.” She suggests “for adults” eight books available on sale at Brookline Booksmith. Let me offer a ninth book, also available at Booksmith, which has some local – as in, Brookline – relevance, talent: “Tweeting Truth to Power” by Cyrus McQueen. The author is a former METCO student, graduate from Brookline High School, Class of 1997, as well as Northeastern University, bachelor's of science degree with honors, 2001, for starters. And for those reading this post who might not be aware, since 1966, suburban communities across most of Massachusetts have relied on the METCO (busing) Program to provide Black, Latinx and Asian students from Boston and Springfield the opportunity to attend more affluent, majority white suburban schools. Initially, seven local suburban districts (Arlington, Braintree, Brookline, Lexington, Lincoln, Newton and Wellesley) established community support, selected host families and METCO community coordinators. Many parents from the city of Boston wanted their child placed in the Brookline or Newton schools because both districts had regional and national reputations for being excellent educational systems, as well as a very short distance from Boston.