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“Because we know that attacks on knowledge are fueling threats to freedom, and that repression in one place fuels its spread elsewhere, we call for global resistance to all efforts to destroy the vital tools that help us to imagine and create more equitable and inclusive futures for us all.”  —African American Policy Forum

The Civil Rights Movement is a story of people who believed they could bring about change to ensure civil and human rights for themselves and future generations. That change did not come easily, nor did it come without disappointments and sacrifices. As we stand on the shoulders of generations who fought for the reality of our nation’s democratic ideals, we cannot afford to lose hope. We must build resiliency in ourselves and our communities, resist hate, and recommit to our values: justice, human rights for all and democratic governance.

Children should have the right to safe, affirming and inclusive schools. To uplift Banned Books Week and to honor LGBTQ+ History Month, support young people’s freedom to read, learn and build a just future.

Opposition to equality is, unfortunately, not new to the history of the United States. Recognizing the relevance of history to today’s justice and civil rights movements is crucial for understanding and countering current pushbacks against democratic values. Analyzing the opposition to the Civil Rights Movement can help us to understand the exceptional strength of the ordinary people who were part of the movement. And recognizing that racism wore both institutional and individual faces can help us to understand the importance of the movement’s achievements and the work that remains.