Tag: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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White People: Here’s Why Moving to a “Good School” in a “Good Neighborhood” Is Racist

Many White folks, especially northern white liberals who voted for Obama, would argue they are not racist, even while they actively cause harm to Black folks by their racist actions.   Since so many people don’t know what racism is or how they are racist, here are three racist things that northern White liberals do:  Engage in “White flight”—when poor Black…

Dr. King Would Have Shined a Light on the Shame of ‘Progressive’ Cities. So Should We.

On the day that the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was taken in 1968 he had become increasingly focused on the least of these, the poor, people suffering in the margins, families left behind as the country’s economic prosperity boomed and the U.S. found it easy to fund its war machine. Today we will once again honor Dr.…

Fighting for Justice Still Kills Black People; White Allies, Do Your Share

I woke up this morning to two stories dominating my news feed. First, the sudden death of the beloved Black congressman and justice fighter from Baltimore, Elijah Cummings. Second, enthusiastic support for the Chicago Teachers Union strike. I saw the face of their campaign, Stacy Davis Gates, fiercely handling the media and countering Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. To many of…

You Might Be Surprised to Learn How Much MLK and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Have in Common

In this reflection, Chicago Unheard and Education Post contributor ShaRhonda Knott-Dawson offers history teachers some food for thought in helping students understand just how radical Martin Luther King, Jr. appeared in his day.   “God never intended for one group of people to live in superfluous inordinate wealth, while others live in abject deadening poverty.”- Dr. King, “Strength to Love”,…

A Letter to Ed. Reformers: Don’t Ignore Black Lives Matter

It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving, time to get back into the classroom. School leaders everywhere will work hard to get students and staff refocused on the labor of love that is education. But, there will be something significant competing for attention in Chicago schools this Monday. A lot has happened since the last time teachers and students in the city…