The discussion also touches on the potential for community-driven folk schools to fill gaps in traditional education, the importance of practical skills for future preparedness, and a critical assessment of the current state of activism and its challenges. They discuss the importance of connecting with global Blackness and Africa, the challenges of anti-Blackness in multiracial contexts, and the complexities of Latino identity. The conversation emphasizes the need for solidarity, collective power, and education to navigate the historical and contemporary struggles faced by Black communities.

The discussion highlights the systemic issues within the education system, the dangers of inflated grades, and the collective responsibility needed to ensure all children achieve meaningful educational outcomes. By encouraging awareness, navigation, and community duty, Dr. Cole's insights provide a roadmap for addressing educational disparities and fostering systemic change.

Takeaways

• DEI programs are being targeted and attacked by right-wing think tanks, threatening progress in racial equality.
   
• DEI has its roots in corporate culture and can be seen as an insurance policy against racial discrimination lawsuits.
   
• Equity is an essential component of DEI, aiming to interrupt systemic barriers and create a more just society.
   
• When used in schools, these programs should have clear goals and measurable progress to avoid becoming ineffective and costly.
   
• The business of DEI consulting can sometimes prioritize profit over meaningful change, leading to skepticism about its effectiveness.
   
• DEI can be a part of the ongoing struggle for liberation, and its effectiveness depends on pushing for systemic change and exploiting opportunities for progress.

COINTELPRO was a covert and often illegal program initiated by the FBI in 1956 and officially ended in 1971. It targeted civil rights organizations, Black Power movements, communist and socialist organizations, feminist groups, and more.

The tactics used by COINTELPRO included surveillance, infiltration, discrediting, and disrupting targeted organizations. They would send inflammatory letters, create divisions within groups, and use media manipulation to sow discord and mistrust.

The exposure of COINTELPRO in 1971 by activists who broke into an FBI office revealed the extent of the program's operations. However, many of the rules put in place to prevent similar abuses have been rolled back, and modern technologies and tactics continue to be used to disrupt and undermine social justice movements.

Understanding the history and impact of COINTELPRO is crucial for recognizing its modern-day applications and the need for continued vigilance in protecting civil rights and social justice movements. Conspiracy and surveillance have been used to target and undermine Black leaders and movements throughout history.

Staying vigilant and informed is crucial in navigating a world where misinformation and manipulation are prevalent.

The pursuit of knowledge and learning in secret can empower individuals to challenge oppressive systems and work towards liberation.

The guys discuss the potential of technology, and the importance of education in advancing the cause of justice. They also discuss the concept of interest convergence and the strategy of single issue voting. The conversation concludes with a call to reframe Black History Month as a year-long commitment to accountability and progress.

Takeaways

Speaking truth to power and holding our people accountable is crucial.

Understanding the true history of America is important in recognizing its flaws.

Unions play a significant role in organizing and creating change. Organizing and education are powerful tools for advancing justice.

Technology can be a neutral tool, but its use must be guided by critical thinking and a nuanced understanding of its potential impact.

Black History Month should be reframed as a year-long commitment to accountability and progress.

Stokley discusses the influence of African culture on his music the importance of education, passing down cultural knowledge, and parenting in the modern context. The episode highlights the need for cultural centers and the impact of technology on parenting. Stokley shares his unique journey and the importance of Black education in his life. He emphasizes the need to encourage creativity and exploration in children. 

Stokley is a GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with artists including Prince, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, H.E.R. and more. He’s known best as the lead singer and drummer for legendary R&B group Mint Condition. In 2017, Stokley embarked on a new solo journey with the release of his debut album Introducing Stokley which produced two #1 singles “Organic” and “Level," and his second solo album, "Sankofa" includes the billboard #1 hit "She."

What is the significance of the American presidency to the Black community? What about to our society as a whole? Let's explore the delusion of revering presidents and the need for truth-telling in education. As "President's Day" approaches, this Freedom Friday conversation highlights the dark history of presidents and the importance of teaching the complexities of American history. The discussion touches on the luxury of ignorance and the concept of dual consciousness. Chris, Sharif, and Ismael explore the American consciousness and hypocrisy, the challenges of parenting and teaching ethics, the mythology and reality of the American presidency, and the responsibility of the governed.

Takeaways

President's Day should be an opportunity for truth-telling and teaching the context of the day.

Teaching the dark history of presidents is essential to understanding the complexities of American history.

Ignorance is a luxury that perpetuates the delusion of revering presidents and ignoring the truth.

Dual consciousness, the coexistence of two distinct mental states, is a psychological condition that reflects the American problem. The cure for dual consciousness lies in resisting it through education, information, and connecting the dots. Being conscious of one's own hypocrisies is the first step towards change.

Parenting and teaching should involve creating a space for children to question and engage in conversations about the world.

 It highlights the need for radical imagination and the role of youth in shaping a different future. The discussion touches on the need to create imaginative and free educational experiences for our children. The challenges of implementing alternative education models and the impact of traditional education on black children are also discussed. The importance of embracing black rage and a full range of emotions is also discussed.

Overall, the conversation calls for a more comprehensive and meaningful approach to Black History Month. The conversation explores the importance of looking forward and how Afro-futurism can inform Black studies. It emphasizes the need to recognize patterns in history, particularly in politics. The strategy of dog whistling and the repetition of blaming Black people are discussed. The importance of understanding the falsification of African consciousness and the intellectual genealogy of Eurocentric development is highlighted. The conversation concludes with a call to awaken, and think critically about a Black future.

Takeaways

• Black History Month often lacks depth and meaning, with a focus on commercialization and superficial celebrations.
• There is a need to move beyond repetitive narratives and figures and explore a more comprehensive understanding of black history.
• Afrofuturism offers a perspective that uses the past as fuel for liberation and building a better future.
• The legacy of slavery and the African Holocaust must be acknowledged and understood to fully grasp the impact of black history. It is important to look forward and prepare for the future.
• Recognizing patterns in history, particularly in politics, can help predict future events and avoid being caught off guard.
• Blaming Black people for societal issues is a recurring pattern throughout history.
• Understanding the falsification of African consciousness and the intellectual genealogy of Eurocentric development is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of history.

Takeaways

• Politics can be a powerful tool for change, but it also has limitations and can be disillusioning.
• Personal experiences with politics can shape one's perspective on its effectiveness.
• Disengagement from the political process can be a form of protest, but it may also limit the ability to influence change.
• Local politics can have a significant impact on education and community issues.
• Third parties have the potential to challenge the dominance of the two-party system.
• Engaging young people in politics requires honesty, education, and grassroots organizing. Youth engagement in national politics is low, with only 9% of young people routinely paying attention to national politics.
• White supremacist Republicans have successfully used divisive tactics to pit minorities against each other and maintain power.
• The potential fallout of a second Trump presidency includes the reshaping of the executive branch and the consolidation of power through the Project 2025 plan.
• Critical thinking, organizing, and imagining a different future are crucial for creating meaningful change.
• It is important to awaken to the gravity of the situation and engage in action to address systemic issues.

The conversation concludes with a call for big ideas and transformation to address the complex issues at hand. Chris, Sharif and Ismael discuss the psychology of oppression, the importance of critical thinking, the co-opting of culture, late stage white supremacy, and more. 

The main takeaway is the need for critical thinking and a comprehensive understanding of history, geography, and power dynamics to navigate and challenge oppressive systems. The conversation also touches on the importance of training teachers in critical analysis and addressing ignorance in the classroom. The hosts emphasize the need to teach concepts like imperialism and the historical mistreatment of immigrants. The conversation concludes with a call to reflect on the past and work towards a better future for our children.

Takeaways

• Structural changes are crucial in achieving justice for marginalized communities.
• Superficial gestures and emotional reactions often distract from addressing the underlying structures of oppression.
• Critical race theory serves as a tool for investigating and addressing discriminatory patterns.
• Recognizing and understanding the origin of racism and anti-blackness is essential in dismantling systemic oppression.
• Equality should be replaced with a focus on justice, which involves specific remedies for marginalized groups.
• Meritocracy can perpetuate systemic discrimination by ignoring historical and structural disadvantages.
• Oppressors often deny the existence of oppression and attempt to invalidate the experiences of the oppressed.

On the most recent episode of Freedom Friday, returning guest and Director of Social Studies Curriculum at Philadelphia Public Schools, Ismael Jimenez joined our CEO, Chris "Citizen" Stewart to discuss the part of slavery that we frequently fail to teach our young people. 

Chris and Ismael discussed the lessons we can take from slave rebellions throughout history and how we can ensure our education system adequately covers the whole story of slavery, not just the whitewashed version. Ismael shared the importance of noting that historically, rebellion took many forms, not just limited to the stories of runaway slaves or large-scale revolts. 

For example, while some schools might cover the rebellion led by Nat Turner and the violent aftermath, stories are just now being uncovered about individual slaves mailing themselves to freedom in the North.

In this episode of Freedom Friday, hosts Chris Stewart, Sharif El-Mekki, and Ismael Jimenez discuss whether Black folks should reevaluate their political strategy in relation to the Democratic Party, and possibly consider third party candidates. They analyze the education platforms of different parties, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. They also discuss Cornel West's third-party campaign and emphasize that any political approach should not overlook the critical aspect of enhancing teaching and learning efficacy in public education.

Equipping Teachers to Empower Literate Students

According to a study by the National Council on Teacher Quality, states overwhelmingly demonstrate a reliance on weak elementary teacher reading licensure tests. This flaw in the educational system places thousands of students at a significant disadvantage, being taught by educators potentially failing to provide adequate instruction for mastering a crucial skill: reading. This concerning reality disproportionately impacts historically marginalized students, some of whom may not have access to external support or tutoring for reading.

Among black and Latino students as well as those in poverty, over half fail to meet reading standards. Literacy is a key to freedom; it empowers our students and opens doors to a myriad of opportunities. It boosts the students' creativity, primes them to be more adept problem solvers, and leads to self-determination.

Knowing all this, we face the challenge of revamping the teacher preparation system. We need a revolution in literacy, one that will raise the bar of reading instruction and ensure every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background or race, has access to quality education. It is critical to address these gaps and empower teachers with robust training and appropriate licensure tests. This is not just about equipping teachers; it is fundamentally about equipping the next generation to be successful and free.

In this episode of Freedom Friday, Chris, Sharif and Ismael have an enlightening discussion about the current events in the Middle East and the importance of teaching students about the historical context - as well as addressing rampant Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism.

The episode highlights the need for a robust understanding of the situation based on empathy, rather than oversimplifying matters. The conversation touches on the difficulty of broaching such topics in a classroom setting, vital aspects to include such as geography, history, cultural diversity, and the overarching need for a compassionate response.

The connection between Black Americans and Palestinians was discussed, considering historical and transnational connections. Finally, the conversation emphasized the value of studying peace and developing a broader human contract, moving beyond individual biases, and encouraging students to think critically and empathetically.