Juneteenth, celebrated June 19, marks the day enslaved Texans learned they were free in June of 1865. While the history of the holiday includes the injustice of enslavement, Juneteenth should also be understood in the context of Black people’s fight for justice and freedom. As Staff Writer Coshandra Dillard notes, “Students, particularly Black students, can find empowerment in the jubilant celebrations of culture, activism and the humanity of a people.”
During this winter break, we hope you’ll take extra time to check in with yourself. We are especially proud of your work this year amidst all that is happening around you. Watch this webinar as a reminder of the importance of educator self-care. And take some time to check out recent books we’re reading and films we’re watching that affirm identities, celebrate diversity and highlight justice.
Our Summer magazine is here! And, as usual, it's packed with stories, resources and strategies for social justice educators like you. Here, we're spotlighting three feature stories about the innovative ways educators are using online spaces: to build community, to reflect on their own identities and to connect students with stories they might not hear elsewhere. We hope you enjoy them—and the rest of our new issue!
Do you believe in strengthening our democracy? Do you support a more inclusive society? In responding to book bans, educational censorship and attempts at excluding some communities from public school spaces, Learning for Justice’s magazine and publications offer guidance and inspiration on critical issues in education.
As we celebrate Pride against the backdrop of legislation designed to roll back gains to protect the human rights of LGBTQ+ youth in the nation’s schools and communities, these LFJ resources from the latest issue of Learning for Justice magazine—including a Q&A with activists Nikole Parker and Brandon Wolf from Equality Florida—showcase ways to support and affirm young people in this moment that requires a strategic focus on the South for the greater good of our democracy and nation.
“Democracy is not a state. It is not some high plateau that we struggle to reach so we can finally settle down to rest. Democracy is an act. It is an act that requires participation, organization and dedication to the highest principles.” —Rep. John Lewis
This Fourth of July, commit to the movement for democracy, human rights and justice. Understanding the honest history of the United States means contextualizing this holiday into the complex relationship between the U.S. and its citizens of color.