ANTI-RACISM DAILY

May 19, 2024

Weekend Edition

The Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which declared "separate but equal" education unconstitutional, is one of the most impactful rulings in U.S. history. But 70 years later, the fight against segregated education is far from over in America. Due to redlining, insufficient funding, and the rise of charter schools and school choice options, many schools today still end up divided by race (CNN). Here’s a look at how that breaks down in numbers across the U.S.

A Stanford and the University of Southern California study found that segregation between white and Black students has increased by 64 percent since 1988 in the 100 largest districts  (Axios).

• In 1988, about 7.4% of the nation's schools were intensely segregated.

• By 2021, that number had ballooned to around 20%.

In Texas, about 15% of Texas schools were intensely segregated in 1988. That figure jumped to 36.4% by 2021 (Axios).

In North Carolina, one in four Black students and nearly one in five Hispanic students now attend "an intensely segregated school of color," defined as schools that are 90-100% nonwhite students (Axios).

Take Action

• Curious to see how this trend is unfolding in your hometown? Use this map to explore current and historical data from across the U.S.

• Read how experts are exploring solutions to address school segregation.

• Explore this timeline of efforts to desegregate schools from Brown v. Board of Education through modern times.

Racial Justice Conference 2024

SPONSORED: Join our friends, RE-Center Race & Equity in Education, to #AntagonizeInjustice at their second annual Racial Justice Conference (RJC24) in Hartford, CT, and VIRTUALLY on June 7, 2024, with a livestream keynote from Dr. Bettina L. Love!

Upcoming Workshops

Join our upcoming workshops, which put the lessons in this newsletter into practice. Flexible enrollment, group plans, and discounts for cause-centric organizations are available.

FREE: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

Join us for a free, one-hour virtual workshop designed to help you encourage civic engagement in the workplace, even in polarized times. This session will prepare you to foster healthy and productive dialogues among colleagues.

In this session, you will:

• Learn techniques to facilitate respectful conversations on civic topics.

• Develop strategies to handle disagreements constructively.

• Gain confidence in creating an inclusive environment for diverse viewpoints.

• Explore ways to inspire and sustain civic engagement initiatives.

• Held Tuesday, June 4 at 3pm EST.

In Conversation with Joél Leon

Performer and storyteller Joél Leon chats with Lead Editor Nicole Cardoza about his new book, “Everything and Nothing at Once,” a tribute to everything that Black men are and can be. This book is our June book club pick for Banned Books Book Club. You can pre-order the book, released on June 4, here.

Nicole: I am only two chapters into this book so far. Already, I am so grateful that you wrote it.

Joél: If I'm being honest with you, the first essay is probably my least favorite of all the essays. It’s an older essay from 2018, initially about 1,100 words. I beefed it up, combining it with another essay. My favorite essays are where I play with language in ways that feel resonant. The first essay is more of an introduction, setting the stage for what's to come.

It truly does. It helps contextualize the title and seems to provide a glimpse of what’s in store for us readers.

Exactly. It's funny because the book's original working title was "What Kind of Black Are You?" I’d been sitting on that title for years before I signed with a literary agent. The marketing team was concerned it sounded like a self-help book. When my editor suggested the title "Everything and Nothing at Once," I was nervous but eventually loved it because it encapsulated the essence of the book.

Knowing that this book reflects years of your writing, where were you when you were writing or curating the book, and how does that reflect where you are now?

It’s interesting because there are newer essays and older ones that I revised. There’s a level of healthy detachment now. I talk candidly about childhood sexual trauma and abuse in one essay, which was anxiety-ridden initially. Writing a book is like building a house, layering different edits until it’s complete. My earlier essays were written during a time of personal turmoil, and later ones reflect a better understanding of myself and my experiences.

I appreciate your vulnerability. It can be intimidating for some to show up that way. What’s helped you find your voice, especially for the hard topics?

It's like a practice. Whether you're an athlete, magician, or artist, you get better with more reps. I started writing and posting poetry online, posting what I now consider the worst poems. But that was necessary to get to where I am today. Your voice at 19 evolves as you gain more experience and practice. I’m not the type of writer that tries to write 500 words a day. Instead,  I take an inventory creatively and spiritually, and I’m ready to write when the moment comes. The older I get, the easier it becomes to write what I see and the nuances of it; the smells, feelings, and tastes.

What’s helped you stay grounded with everything you focus on?

Community. Being around people aligned with my values feeds me. I get recharged by meeting up with friends and being present with my daughters. They remind me of what’s important and keep me grounded. It’s also about being honest with myself, recognizing when I need rest, and not hesitating to take it.

Last question: what’s bringing you joy right now?

Palestinians flying kites. It’s a reminder that even amidst suffering, there is hope. My dear friend Zola Ellen, an abolitionist, reminds me of the imagination required to see things differently. Seeing others find hope helps me find hope, too.

And also conversations like this! I’m excited for you. The more we lean into our purpose, the richer the world becomes. It helps us fight the bigger battles against systems of oppression.

Joél Leon, also known as Joél L. Daniels, is a performer and storyteller from the Bronx. He currently serves as the creative director at the New York Times' T Brand Studio. Joél specializes in leading conversations about race, masculinity, mental health, and the performing arts. His TED Talk on healthy co-parenting has been viewed more than 1.6 million times. His essays have been featured in the New York Times, Ebony, the Independent, and more.

In the News

10 years post-Ferguson, advocates seek prosecutor accountability. Advocates say there’s been little effort by prosecutors to free wrongfully convicted St. Louisans. Prism >

70 years later, schools — and moms — are still fighting segregation. After Brown v. Board, White families pulled their kids out of Pasadena’s public schools. Decades have passed, and neighborhood parents are still working toward integration. 19th News >

Asian students face racism, harassment at school. What would make it stop? Anti-Asian hostility spiked amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s nothing new. Parents and students are breaking a generational cycle of silence, demanding that school districts act. Center for Public Integrity >

Pro-Palestine protesters find solidarity with climate advocates at student encampments. Student protesters across the U.S. are pointing out how Israel’s destructive campaign results in climate devastation. Prism >

The state department says Israel isn’t blocking aid. Videos show the opposite. From targeting humanitarian vehicles to standing by as mobs attack trucks, Israel is blocking aid from reaching Gaza. The Intercept >

States push back against guaranteed income with new bans. More than 100 pilots have been advanced across the US to give low-income residents monthly cash payments. Now, some legislatures are blocking them. Bloomberg >

Police shoot dead Black airman after entering wrong home. The Black 23-year-old Air Force member was fatally shot six times by Florida police. Democracy Now >

Citigroup accused of racial discrimination for its policy of waiving ATM fees for customers of minority-owned banks. This anti-DEI lawsuit by a conservative group is challenging an equity-driven policy. Bloomberg >

Join our May Book Club!

Join our current book club on “The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine” by Dr. Rashid Khalidi! We’re discussing the book all month long on Patreon and gathering virtually on Thursday, May 30.