Anti-CRT, Book Bans, and A Call to HEAL

Anti-CRT, Book Bans, and A Call to HEAL

Author: Andrew Lefkowits, Val Brown, Courtney Mykytyn May 11, 2022 Duration: 58:39
 When the backlash against “CRT” started, we thought it would blow over. It felt as though the attacks were in such bad faith that they didn’t even deserve a response. With nearly 35 states (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/map-anti-critical-race-theory-efforts-reached/story?id=83619715) at least considering some type of classroom censorship bill, clearly, we were wrong. And yet, the question of what to do about it felt daunting to take on. And then, we found HEAL Together, an initiative from Race Forward. H.E.A.L. (Honest Education Action & Leadership) Together, is building a movement of students, educators, and parents in school districts across the United States who believe that an honest, accurate and fully funded public education is the foundation for a just, multiracial democracy. In addition to serving as a hub to connect organizations across the country already engaged in the fight for educational justice, they also provide tools and trainings so that anyone can become an organizer and lend their voice to this effort. We are joined today by James Haslam (https://twitter.com/JamesHaslamVT) (he/him/his), who serves as Senior Fellow at Race Forward leading the HEAL Together Initiative. He shares about his organizing work, and what caregivers can do to push back against bad-faith narratives and act to support a fully funded, honest, accurate public education for all kids. LINKS: HEAL Together’s Website (http://healtogether.org/) Sign the HEAL Together Pledge (https://www.raceforward.org/heal-together/pledge) Register for the HEAL Together Training Series (https://www.raceforward.org/heal-together/training) James and Cathy Albisa – OpEd in TruthOut (https://truthout.org/articles/whats-taught-in-school-impacts-us-all-we-must-defend-anti-racist-education/) Rights And Democracy – The organization James founded in New Hampshire (https://www.radnh.org/) Southlake Podcast (https://www.nbcnews.com/southlake-podcast) White Rage – Dr. Carol Anderson (https://bookshop.org/a/18658/9781632864130) Dr. Anderson on our show (http://integratedschools.org/podcasts/anderson) Mother’s of Massive Resistance – Dr. Elizabeth McRae (https://bookshop.org/a/18658/9780190088392) Use these links or start at our Bookshop.org storefront (https://bookshop.org/shop/IntegratedSchools) to support local bookstores, and send a portion of the proceeds back to us. Join our Patreon (http://patreon.com/integratedschools) to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further. Let us know what you think of this episode, suggest future topics, or share your story with us – @integratedschls (https://twitter.com/integratedschls) on twitter, IntegratedSchools (http://facebook.com/integratedschools) on Facebook, or email us podcast@integratedschools.org. The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits. This episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits. Music by Kevin Casey. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s easy to talk about school integration in the abstract, but what does it actually look like on the ground for families navigating these choices every day? The Integrated Schools Podcast moves beyond theory into the messy, personal realities of race, parenting, and educational equity. Hosted by Andrew Lefkowits, a White dad from Denver, and Val Brown, a Black mom from North Carolina, along with co-author Courtney Mykytyn, this podcast centers conversations that deliberately sit with discomfort and complexity. Each episode brings in voices from across the spectrum-parents making tough school decisions, educators in the trenches, researchers, and community organizers-to explore why our schools remain so segregated and what it truly means to work toward integration. You’ll hear candid stories about navigating predominantly white spaces, confronting personal bias, and the small, daily actions that either challenge or uphold systemic inequities. This isn’t a podcast offering easy answers; instead, it provides a necessary space to listen, reflect, and engage with the nuanced layers of a deeply entrenched issue. The dialogue here is built on the belief that honest, sometimes difficult talk is a prerequisite for meaningful change, both in our schools and in ourselves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Integrated Schools Podcast
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