Educators will not be silenced, we will #TeachTruth about racism and resistance!

Join us at Biddy Mason Memorial Park at 1pm Saturday August 28th

In Solidarity with the August 27 – 29: Teach Truth Pledge Days of Action

LA Event Sponsored BY The Ida B. Wells Education Project

In coordination with: The Zinn Education Project, Black Lives Matter at School And the African American Policy Forum.

Email for more info: info@idabwellseducationproject.org

The Ida B. Wells Education Project is a grassroots educator’s collective that was born out of the summer of 2020 worldwide uprisings against racism. We named ourselves after the courageous journalist, educator and freedom fighter Ida B. Wells and in the long tradition of Black women organizers and educators who understood and, in their work, exemplified the inexorable link between truth, education and freedom for our people. 

As we begin the 2021-2022 school year it is clear that all over the United States, the very concept of teaching the truth about American history is under attack. In at least 26 states lawmakers are advancing laws that would prohibit K-12 educators from teaching honestly about topics like race, gender, and systemic racism.

This far-right movement has been organized under the guise of opposition to “Critical Race Theory” but it is clear that their most vociferous proponents, from right-wing politicians and newscasters, to the loudest voices in school board meetings and parent groups, all seem to have little to no understanding of what “Critical Race Theory” actually is. The truth is, for them, this was never about “Critical Race Theory.”

This is a right-wing attempt to turn back the clock.

Education has always been a battlefield, when it comes to issues of race and equality. From the violent KKK attacks against Black schools during Reconstruction, through the riots that accompanied Brown v. Board, we know that historically, the forces of white supremacy have never ceded ground in our schools without a fight.  

The summer of 2020 gave rise to some of the biggest demonstrations that the world has ever seen. In cities and towns all over the world, millions of people, led by very young people, took to the streets to demand an end to systemic racism and justice for a Black male victim of police violence. This was the worst nightmare of the right wing. They watched as people from all races, ages, and walks of life joined together in a beautiful, powerful movement against white supremacy. And out of this transformative movement grew nationwide calls to continue this work for justice and equality in our schools, workplaces, and communities. 

This wave of anti-education, anti-history, and anti-truth hysteria is nothing more than the inevitable right-wing backlash against a worldwide movement against white supremacy. It is an attempt by the most cowardly and fascistic forces of white supremacy to intimidate teachers and school boards and effectively turn back the clock on our consciousness and understanding of historical racism and injustice. They are seeking to silence any discussion of race, oppression, and movement building in our schools.  

They are afraid of young people organizing.

The right wing is fighting hard because they have seen how powerful these ideas can be, particularly in the lives of young people, who are often quick to recognize historical injustice and the ways it has shaped our world. Every day more and more young people are learning their true history, whether that’s in school, on social media, in books, music, clubs or from their friends—and they are choosing to use that knowledge to organize, fight back and build a better tomorrow. 

This terrifies the right wing. The truth is that they are afraid of the power of young people who know their history. They know that united, organized young people have won against white supremacy in the past, and they fear what is inevitable—that it will happen again. 

Our ancestors have shown us the way.

There is a long history to this particular tactic: attempting to ban knowledge to maintain white supremacy. During the days of slavery, teaching African Americans to read was illegal, but crucially, this did not stop Black people from learning. We organized secret schools at night, in hidden places, and brought education to our people, bravely facing the penalty of death if discovered. During the Civil Rights movement, white terror organizations like the KKK, routinely threatened organizers against “teaching race hatred” and spreading “dangerous” ideas in Black communities. And if those organizers had capitulated to this fear then, we would not have won the civil rights that we enjoy today. For generations, we have taught crucial information despite racist opposition—today is no different. Our ancestors have shown us what to do in this time. We must refuse to give in to this fear-mongering and hate and we must organize to support one another.  

That is why we are joining organizations like the Zinn Education Project, Black Lives Matter at School and the African American Policy Forum in standing in solidarity with teachers across the US who are facing this heinous legislation in their schools and communities. Events will be taking place in 115 cities, where educators and community members from all over the US will come together in support of teaching the truth in our schools.

Join the Ida B. Wells Education Project at 1pm on Saturday, August 28th in Los Angeles for a speak out at Biddy Mason Memorial Park! Consider joining us on that day if you are an educator, student, parent or ally who believes that we MUST teach our true history in schools. Let’s join together, support each other and celebrate teaching and learning for truth, justice, equality and liberation!

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