February is Black History Month, a month that is important to educators all around the country. It’s a chance to shine a light on the individuals that took those first brave steps to change their own lives and the lives of those in the future. Often those attempts at change were just that: attempts. They didn’t create change and often resulted in their situation worsening. However, as the history books tell us, many small steps turn into giant strides.
It starts with Dred Scott and his unsuccessful attempt at suing for the freedom of himself and his family. It starts with Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat and being arrested as a result. It starts with the brave students of the Children’s Crusade in Birmingham enduring police brutality while protesting poor learning conditions.
These attempts at change would later result in civil reform that many people enjoy today. It required an extraordinary level of bravery. The stories of their bravery can help inspire children today. By donating to the Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation, you can ensure the next generation doesn’t just learn about racism, they learn what it looks like, how to call it out and be a positive influence to those around them.
How do we go about the colossal task of educating to end hate? It’s actually more simple than you think. It starts with knowledge. By teaching kids the true stories of America’s past, they can begin to see the patterns often repeated today. The phrase “knowledge is power” is not limited to age. And certainly you have heard many educators say that they learn more from their students than anyone else.
Let’s arm the next generation with the power of knowledge. Let’s teach them not only what racism is, but how to end it. Click here to make a recurring donation and join us in changing what tomorrow looks like.
