Quick Recap
The group engaged in a deep and meaningful discussion covering a variety of topics related to current events in education, grassroots organizing, and resistance efforts.
Key themes included:
Challenges in Teaching History & Current Events – Educators shared experiences navigating political climates, censorship, and historical erasure.
Grassroots Organizing & Resistance – The group explored ways to take collective action rather than relying solely on politicians.
Grounding in Truth & Combating Intimidation – Participants discussed how educators can stand firm against fear tactics and misinformation.
Importance of Community & In-Person Meetups – The role of both online and offline spaces in fostering support and collaboration.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Schools – Challenges in implementing meaningful DEI initiatives, particularly in independent schools.
People of Color Conference Controversy – The backlash against discussions on genocide and the broader implications for free speech in education.
David Harris, an educator from North Carolina, introduced The Teacher’s Forum podcast, where he amplifies educator voices and tackles diverse topics in education. He discussed his approach to selecting interviewees, the impact of featuring former students, and the importance of discussing timely and complex issues such as AI, early childhood education, and teacher finances.
Here’s one important quote from David on identity and news consumption (lightly edited):
It's really interesting because the other day, my spouse and I, we were watching the funeral of Roberta Flack. It was at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, which you may or may not know is probably one of the oldest black congregations in the country. And Lauryn Hill, the great Lauryn Hill sang. She gave this beautiful tribute. And, you know, Roberta Flack was very much a civil rights activist. And Lauryn said something that has struck me. She said, Roberta's very existence was resistance. Her very being was resistance. And I took to that a lot because I think sometimes, for me at least, as a Black person, as a Black member of the LGBTQ community, I cannot not be political. My existence is resistance. My existence is political. And so there are days, so no, I don't necessarily take the news in doses. I get up, I read it, I see what's happening in the world. And so there are days, so no, I don't necessarily take the news in doses….But I have to be up on at least what is happening because I don't necessarily feel I have the privilege to not do it. I've got to understand what is happening.
Next Steps & Action Items
✅ Lucy & Wes: Continue organizing weekly meetings and invite potential speakers for future discussions.
✅ Lucy & Wes: Explore a two-part meeting format—recorded presentation followed by an unrecorded discussion for sensitive topics.
✅ Lucy: Consider setting up a Notion site to document incidents of educational censorship and attacks on educators.
✅ Lucy & Wes: Reach out to DEI officers from schools for a future private discussion on current challenges.
✅ Lucy: Invite David Harris to present at the Charter for Compassion Conference in May.
✅ Wes: Organize in-person meetups in Charlotte for community-building and resistance planning through ResistAndHeal.com.
✅ Lucy: Send old Lab School photos to David.
✅ Wes: Assist David with website development.
✅ David: Connect Lucy with Christian from Reparation Generation.
✅ Lucy: Listen to student-produced podcast episodes.
✅ Team: Consider inviting trusted colleagues and friends to future meetings once the format is finalized.
Resources Mentioned in the Meeting
Podcasts & Episodes
🎙 The Teacher’s Forum Podcast – Hosted by David Harris
🔗 Podcast Website
🔗 Episode with Dr. Charles Branham on Black History & Resistance
🔗 Episode with Dr. Charlotte Jacobs on Black Girls in Schools
Educational & Advocacy Resources
📚 Teaching While Queer – Advocacy for LGBTQ+ educators
🔗 Visit Site
⚖ Innocence Project – Advocating against wrongful convictions
🔗 Visit Site
📰 Newspaper Map – View news perspectives from around the world
🔗 Visit Site
🗂 Resist & Heal Website – Community organizing and in-person meetups
🔗 Website
🔗 Meetup Page
📖 Reparation Generation – Addressing racial equity through reparations
🔗 Visit Site
🏛 Race & Equity Coalition (USC) – New coalition for racial justice
🔗 Visit Site
🗂 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – Scientific data & research
🔗 Visit Site
🔗 ESCAIDE Conference General Information
📜 Washington Post Article on Current Issues
🔗 Gift Link
📜 New York Times & NY Post Articles on PoCC Controversy
🔗 NYT Article
🔗 NY Post Article
📖 Books & Media Literacy Resources
📚 Rachel Maddow’s Books – On historical patterns and modern resistance
📚 Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
📚 Lady Astronaut Series by Mary Robinette Kowal – Historical fiction with alternative history themes
🔗 Goodreads Series Page
💡 Media Literacy in Education – A strategy for resistance
🔗 Heal Our Culture
Closing Thoughts
The meeting reinforced the importance of grassroots activism, truth-telling, and educator solidarity in the face of systemic challenges. Participants left with concrete action steps and a renewed commitment to supporting one another and their students in meaningful ways.
🚀 Next Meeting: Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6 PM CST – Stay tuned for guest speakers and ongoing discussions! Suggestions for speakers are always welcome. Register here.
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