The Importance of Truth in Black History: Discussions at CRT Summer School
In the pursuit of fostering more equitable dialogue around racial justice, the African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is readying to commence its fourth annual Critical Race Theory (CRT) Summer School. This program, convening some of the United States’ foremost scholars on race and racism, is set to focus on the escalating threats of book bans, the censorship of Black history, and potential drawbacks on essential instruments for racial justice, such as Affirmative Action.
Part of the broader Freedom to Learn campaign, this year’s CRT Summer School is crucial in the ongoing public discourse on racial justice and democracy. The recent implementation of new educational standards in Florida, which will reframe the way students can study slavery, has prompted concerns over potential erasure of America’s racial past and hindrances to a multiracial democratic future. These changes highlight the urgent need for those supportive of democracy and racial justice to delve deeper into the notions, debates, and tactics of experts grappling with these pressing challenges.
Co-founder of the AAPF, Professor Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, has emphasized the significance of the CRT Summer School, stating its vital role in enhancing understanding of the current struggles for a multiracial democracy. In her view, this platform aids in understanding the key frameworks being outlawed nationwide by racial demagogues. This increased comprehension could support the development of a more diverse, inclusive, and intersectional movement for racial justice.
Spanning over five days, this upcoming series will offer an array of virtual sessions designed to inspire, energize, and mobilize attendees. Speakers include Janai Nelson of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, American Civil Liberties Union President Deborah Archer, and many esteemed academics from institutes such as Harvard, UCLA, Duke, and Yale. The CRT Summer School will kick off with an in-person panel discussion at Union Chapel on Martha’s Vineyard, set to dissect the ways “anti-woke” laws pursued countrywide might be jeopardizing civil rights and democracy.
The AAPF was established in 1996 by Professors Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw and Luke Charles Harris. This think tank connects academics, activists, and policymakers, encouraging efforts to recognize and counteract the structural inequalities impeding a multiracial democracy. Through the promotion of fresh ideas and transformative perspectives, the AAPF aspires to evolve the public dialogue on racial justice and champion approaches that concentrate on the intersectional hurdles disenfranchising society’s marginalized.
Overall, the CRT Summer School represents a vital platform for those seeking to understand the complex, multifaceted battle for racial justice in America. By enabling scholars, activists, and the general public to engage in these complex dialogues, this forum seeks to foster a more informed and engaged society.
African American Policy Forum to Host 4th Annual Critical Race Theory Summer School,” PR Newswire, July 26, 2023.
Join the thought-provoking discussions unfolding on @coolbruthas. Your voice is crucial in this important dialogue on racial justice. As you share your thoughts and perspectives, remember to always Stay Fresh, Stay True.
