July 30th 2024.
Summer is upon us, and with it comes the highly anticipated 5th annual Critical Race Theory Summer School in Nashville. This year's event holds even more significance as it pays tribute to the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, a pivotal moment in the history of civil rights activism. The CRT Summer School is a passionate advocate for the inclusion of critical race theory in education, and this year's theme, "Freedom Summer 2024: No U-Turn on Racial Justice," highlights the importance of continuing the fight for racial equality.
The Summer School kicked off on July 28 with a powerful plenary titled "Tip of the Spear: Tennessee on the Frontlines of the War on Woke." The panel, featuring esteemed speakers such as State Rep. Justin Jones, Tim Wise, Kimberlé Crenshaw, and Freedom Rider Bernard Lafayette, delved into the role of the southern state in the discourse surrounding critical race theory. This discussion is especially relevant as we see a rise in anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion legislation, book bans, and attacks on critical race theory across the nation.
Throughout the week, the Summer School will continue to host a variety of plenaries and intensives, all aimed at sparking crucial conversations and strategies to ensure that Black history remains a vital part of school curriculums. The intensives will cover topics like Intersectionality and the #SayHerName Movement, led by Crenshaw, and the Genealogies of Anti-Blackness, led by Michael Eric Dyson. Other discussions will focus on the role of American democracy in defending DEI initiatives.
In a press release, Crenshaw, who serves as the executive director of the African American Policy Forum, highlighted the importance of intersectionality in the fight against racism. "Color blindness has been weaponized to prevent any real education about systemic racism," she stated. "This connects to attacks on voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's reproductive freedom. That's why anti-racism efforts must be intersectional, just like democracy must be multiracial."
Crenshaw also emphasized the urgency of the current political climate, stating, "This is the most important election of our lifetimes, and our very democracy is on the line." The Critical Race Theory Summer School aims to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to confront systemic racism and advocate for change in their communities.
In addition to the plenaries, the Summer School will also focus on organizing, resistance, and survival against anti-CRT discourse. From the "Fight the Power: Using History to Find the Courage to Resist We Are the Majority!" session to the "How to Fight the Autocratic Takeover of Our Public Institutions" meeting, advocates will encourage attendees to stand up for this critical cause.
All of the discussions at the Critical Race Theory Summer School, which will continue until August 2, will be available to stream online or attend in person. So, whether you're joining from the comfort of your home or in Nashville, you can be a part of this important event and contribute to the fight for racial justice.
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