Human Rights Watch’s Post

White supremacy is still with us today... in the invisible social systems we simply take for granted. It’s in our tax code, city zoning, and, of course, our school systems. And because it doesn’t look menacing or villainous, we ignore it. We ignore the ways institutional systems and the boring gears of bureaucracy carry on the legacy of White supremacy. We ignore how systems, like zoning and school funding, explicitly and implicitly lift up White people and hold back nearly everyone else. Thus, White parents continue to be the key barrier to redressing the imbalance of racial and educational power in our systems of education. We can’t unsee the White supremacy and immoral power imbalance all around us, and we can’t just sit down or stand by. At Integrated Schools, we are a collective of parents and caregivers working to redress the legacy of our past and to create a true multicultural democracy of our future. If you’d like to join us, visit buff.ly/3SbEl9b ... #IntegratedSchools #BlackandWhite #Interracial #Multiracial #Identity #CivilRightsMovement #HumanRights #AntiRacism #DeSegregation #WealthEquity #DiversityandInclusion #inclusion #community #redlining #diversity #socialjustice #socialjusticeeducation #wealthgap #local #publicschools #parenting #parent

As the new school year begins, our latest report spotlights the experiences of teachers facing significant challenges in today’s public education system. This report sheds light on the realities educators face in today’s classroom. With Topos Partnership, we spoke with 25 teachers across several states, including Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, where there is a concerted effort from right-wing extremists and conservative politicians to undermine both teachers and public education. These efforts aim to erase our nation’s complex history of racism and misogyny, alienate queer and trans students, remove culturally relevant curricula, and ban books that help students develop critical thinking skills, creating an environment of fear and censorship in classrooms. You can hear from teachers about how right-wing restrictions are threatening to push them out of teaching—and about what could make them stay and thrive—in our report below.

Professor Lyke asserts "The time has come for advocates of affirmative action to free themselves of the shackles of diversity, abandon the rationale because it is vague, stereotypes, and commodifies racial minorities, and fully embrace equality rationales. Most importantly, however, it is time for advocates to shed diversity because it distracts us from fully embracing and making robust arguments that call for the racial equality of traditionally disadvantaged people. In future work, it is crucial to think about taking a more offensive approach to white supremacy and the dark arts of racecraft. Future legal research needs to challenge whether college and university admissions are free of racial basis. One step is to collect credible social science evidence that admissions measures, such as grades, standardized testing, and letters of recommendation, are laced with racial bias. Accounting for these biases and providing a remedy for them is paramount in the next chapter of affirmative action.

Institutional racism, everyday misogyny, and economic disparities are woven into the fabric of our mainstream education system—and it’s failing too many of our young people. When my daughter’s school hosted a Black History Month assembly that excluded Black British History and dismissed young women’s health by denying toilet access during their periods, I knew the system needed change. These were just surface symptoms of a deeper, systemic problem. Did you know? 📊 11,619 students were suspended for racist abuse in schools last year—a 23% increase. 📊 Nearly 90% of teachers report inadequate training to prevent racism in classrooms. 📊 Special Educational Needs students face chronic underfunding, limiting their opportunities. Every statistic is a child denied opportunity, respect, and safety. But together we can change this. This Thursday 19th December from 12–2 pm, join me on Uncomfortable Conversations live on Urban Xtra Radio as I explore: - The impact of institutional racism and misogyny on young people. - Barriers to higher education for working-class families. - Alternative solutions for creating a more equitable education system. 📢 Follow me on Instagram @anti_racistmums to join the discussion during the show. This conversation is just the beginning—because together, we can create a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. #AntiRacism #InclusiveEducation #EquityInAction #UncomfortableConversations #HumanRights #ChildrensRights

School boards and state legislatures are on the front lines of a national effort to defend the ingrained process of indoctrinating students into a belief in a false narrative of America. They fear the encroachment of multiculturalism in society (see Claremont Institute's series "Multiculturalism vs America) and the exposure of White children to the truth about their societal inheritance. The true historical narrative about this nation -- from the arrival of Europeans with a Christian Doctrine of Discovery to the present-day inheritance of racialized laws, economic systems, public policies and private sector practices that permeate throughout our segregationist society -- remains elusive precisely due to control of K-12 and frontline battles in the war waged across states by those who resist exposing children to the truth in order to defend the status quo. https://lnkd.in/d8HSKdtm

Sylvia Mendez: The Education Equality Advocate ↳ what, where and when- Sylvia Mendez stands as a relatively unknown champion of equal education, making her mark before the pivotal Brown v. Board of Education case and leaving a lasting impact on the fight against segregation. In 1947, the wounds of discrimination still tainted the education landscape. Mendez and her family embarked on a courageous legal journey that would reshape history. Their struggle revolved around challenging a California school district overtly segregating Mexican-American students. This led to unequal facilities and educational opportunities compared to their white peers. The Mendez family took a stand against this injustice, initiating a lawsuit that would eventually bring about significant change. The lawsuit resulted in a groundbreaking triumph that dismantled the idea of “separate but equal” in education. The judge ruled in favor of the Mendez family, establishing that racial segregation was unconstitutional. This decision foreshadowed the famous Brown v. Board of Education case, a monumental legal battle crucial in desegregating schools throughout the United States. ↳Learning for us Sylvia Mendez’s determination and unwavering commitment to justice went beyond her time, offering an example for future generations. Her actions emphasized the essential role of ordinary individuals in deconstructing systemic inequality and paving the way for equal educational access. #education #desegregation #equality #diversity #life #hope

Racism, hate and white supremacy have no place in our world. It's time for change, and it starts with each one of us. Education plays a crucial role in dismantling the structures of racism and promoting inclusivity. By fostering an environment of learning and understanding, we can challenge and change prejudiced beliefs. It's important to engage in conversations that address racial biases and to push for curricula that include diverse histories and perspectives. Encourage open dialogues in schools, workplaces, and communities to ensure everyone feels heard and valued. By educating ourselves and those around us, we actively participate in creating a society that celebrates diversity and champions equality. Support organizations, like WOAR, that are leading the fight against racism and empower change in your community. Commit to advocacy in the fight against racial injustice and white supremacy. Stand united with us against hate.

Let’s dive deep into the murky waters of history and confront a truth many shy away from: America’s public school system has never truly worked for all kids. It’s a haunting reality, echoing the shadows of our past where racial inequality was not just a chapter but a cornerstone. Look back at the chilling era of #SlaveCodes, where the mere act of learning was a forbidden fruit for enslaved Africans. Fast forward to today, and while the chains may be gone, the shackles of discrimination still bind the corridors of education. The echoes of oppression still resonate in policies and practices that make it an uphill battle for Black children to receive the education they deserve. Education, the cornerstone of progress, has been weaponized against marginalized communities time and time again. Acknowledging this painful truth isn’t about dwelling on the past; it’s about shaping a better future. It’s about ripping off the blindfold of ignorance and staring head-on into the glaring inequalities that persist. America’s history of denying education to Black children isn’t just a footnote; it’s a glaring stain on the fabric of our society. But stains can be cleansed, and wounds can heal. It starts with acknowledging the past, but it doesn’t end there. It’s about forging a path forward where equality isn’t just a buzzword but a lived reality. It’s time to rewrite the narrative, to shatter the chains of inequality, and to build a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but it’s a journey worth embarking on. Thoughts?🤔 #EducationForAll #BreakTheCycle #RiseAbove #DismantleInequality #forwardtogether #EducationEquity #HistoryMatters #RacialJustice #BreakTheCycle #EqualityNow #ChangeIsComing #BlackExcellence #EducateToLiberate #ProgressNotPerfection https://lnkd.in/eTtV_u8e

When Integrated Schools was created, our founder, Courtney Mykytyn, fielded criticism about the name of our organization. Why? Because Black communities have legitimate mistrust and skepticism of that word: “integration.” Yes, the Civil Rights Movement accomplished federal public school desegregation and made blatant segregation illegal. However, racism (and the legacy of racism) wasn’t abolished with the simple stroke of a President’s pen. ... White Flight undermined much of the larger social aspirations of school integration and continued the practice of hoarding generational wealth and resources amongst White families. Plus, even without White Flight, much of school desegregation didn’t address or help the wider needs of Black communities. Going to class with kids who don't look like you didn’t automatically solve the systemic injustices that were plaguing those in marginalized communities. ... But, we don’t want these historically unfilled promises to continue. That’s why we do what we do. And if you want to help bring about real integration, visit our website https://buff.ly/3OrYcxh ... #IntegratedSchools #BlackandWhite #Interracial #Multiracial #Identity #CivilRightsMovement #HumanRights #AntiRacism #DeSegregation #WealthEquity #DiversityandInclusion #inclusion #community #redlining #diversity #socialjustice #socialjusticeeducation #wealthgap #local #publicschools #parenting #parent

We love this, from our friends at VNET CIC: How white educators can learn to become effective anti-racist practitioners, with thanks to Viv Grant, Founder & Director of Integrity Coaching for her guest blog. "If the pace of change is to be quickened and schools are to become the places where our children learn to be true global citizens, then to be effective allies in the battle against racism, white educators need to be able to demonstrate agency as anti-racist practitioners and undertake their own race and identity work." Read it here: