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The miseducation of Black students and the disinvestment in Black education in America is an ongoing historical battle.
In the country’s current political and social climate, bans on books and school courses, and censorship on education and antiracism are prevalent. It is important to note that these censorships intend to silence Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, gender expression, Black feminism, Queer theory, and other schools of thought.
According to Kasey Meehan, Pen America’s Freedom to Read, Program Director, she said, “The majority of books that we see being removed are books that talk about L[G]BTQ+ identities, that include characters of color, that talk about race and racism, that include depictions of sexual experiences in the most broadest interpretation of that understanding.”
Community organizers and over 50 organizations formed the Freedom to Learn network, powered by The African American Policy Forum (founded by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw).
The meaningful collective is organizing Freedom Summer 2024 to help combat continuous oppression and suppression within the education system.
Professor Crenshaw said, “Why are we losing the bare minimum of diversity, equity, and inclusion protections that exist? Why?! Because they claim that DEI violates their civil rights… It represents the idea that they are losing their country.”
Celebrating Sixty Years of Freedom Summer
Sixty years ago in 1964, an interracial group of nonviolent students, organizers, and concerned American citizens traveled to Mississippi.
The organizers helped with voter education, suppression, and registration to promote the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party. Along with this, the oppressive racial violence throughout the Deep South followed.
The initiative of the Freedom Summer Project (1964), which the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) spearheaded, created the Freedom Schools.
Black Southern children learned about reading, math, civics, African American history, literature, and other subjects. For many, it was their first time having such a learning experience. The Freedom Summer projects produced pride in Black youth. Subsequently, SNCC became a pioneer in the Black Power Movement.
Civil rights activist and SNCC member Ms. Judy Richardson shared, “The takeover of Howard [in 1968] was energized by the ideas of Black Power. So, the students at Howard University, HBCU, as on many Black campuses, were demanding that their schools teach African American history and literature rather than the European-centered courses that were currently in existence in these HBCUs.”
The 2024 Freedom to Learn campaign comprises several organizations and coalitions. Organizations include the African American Policy Forum (AAPF), the Right to Learn Coalition, Moms Rising, the Zinn Education Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, and many others.
Freedom to Learn’s Call to Action
The Freedom to Learn network hosted live Zoom sessions to promote civic, historical, and educational knowledge. In addition, they prepared supporters for the second annual National Day of Action on May 3.
Individuals and groups spoke on education, racial justice, and democracy at the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. But the good fight and good trouble is only beginning.
To get involved, the Freedom to Learn Network and Right to Learn coalition encourage local educators, community organizers, and concerned citizens to create a Freedom to Learn campaign for their community.
The Zinn Education Project: Teaching People’s History provides free reading materials, tools, and resources to educators, families, and students interested in teaching Black history, Black studies, and intersectionality.
Educational toolkits and lesson plans offered by Zinn Education Project, SNCC Digital Gateway, and Civil Rights Teaching are available online. Supporters can also use the hashtags #TeachTruth, #FreedomToLearn, and #FreedomSummer2024 on social media to start meaningful conversations and spread the message.
In addition, on June 8, the Zinn Education Project will host its 4th Annual Teach Truth Day of Action.
SNCC member Mr. Courtland Cox also shared that on June 21-22, the historical community of Indianola, Mississippi, will host a Freedom Summer meeting with the hope of broadcasting live. Following such, the AAPF will host its 5th annual CRT Summer School from July 29-August 2.
Lastly, the SNCC Legacy Project will host in-person events on September 13-14 at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and on October 18 at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia.