Episode Details

In this episode Karen sits down with Jesse Hagopian, an educator and activist. He shares his experiences and insights on the education system and the fight against book bans and censorship. He discusses the lack of resources and support for black and brown students, highlighting the stark contrast between the government's spending on war and the neglect of schools. Jesse's personal story of teaching in a crumbling school with a hole in the ceiling showcases the systemic issues faced by marginalized communities. This conversation sheds light on the ongoing problem of segregation and the importance of advocating for equitable education.

They also discuss the Zinn Education Project, an organization that creates curriculum from the perspective of those who have been marginalized in history. They aim to bring the voices of native people, Black people, and others to the center of the curriculum. The organization has over 160,000 registered teachers who use their free downloadable People's History Lessons. They recently partnered with Defense of Democracy for the Teach the Truth initiative, which involved over 170 teach truth rallies and events across the country. Their conversation also discusses the resistance to protect the education system and the future challenges it may face.

Key Conversation Takeaways:

• The education system lacks resources and support for black and brown students.
• There is a stark contrast between government spending on war and the neglect of schools.
• Segregation and systemic issues persist in the education system.
• Advocacy is crucial for achieving equitable education.
• The Zinn Education Project aims to bring marginalized voices to the center of the curriculum.
• They have over 160,000 registered teachers using their free People's History Lessons.
• The Teach the Truth initiative involved over 170 rallies and events across the country.
• There is a need for resistance to protect the education system from anti-truth laws and censorship.

Additional Resources and Links from the conversation:
Photos of Teach the Truth:
www.njpecoalition.org
https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/map-for-teach-truth-2024/

Info about the felony charges in Florida:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/01/31/florida-hide-books-stop-woke-manatee-county-duval-county-desantis/

Zinn's website:
https://www.zinnedproject.org/

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