Defense of Democracy Podcast

In this episode Karen speaks with Jesse Hagopian, director of the Teaching for Black Lives campaign and author of 'Teach Truth.' They discuss the ongoing struggle for honest education in the face of laws that criminalize teaching about race, gender, and history. Jesse shares personal stories about his family's history with slavery, the importance of teaching the truth about America's past, and the need for grassroots organizing to combat censorship in schools. The conversation highlights the upcoming National Day of Action, 'Teach the Truth,' aimed at promoting anti-racist education and community engagement.

Conversation Highlights:

• The term 'post-truth' reflects the current state of education.
• Truth crime laws are criminalizing honest education.
• Discomfort in learning about history is necessary and should not be banned.
• Germany's approach to teaching about the Holocaust serves as a model for the U.S.
• Personal connections to history can inspire activism and remembrance.
• The book 'Teach Truth' aims to empower educators and students.
• Historical context shows a long-standing struggle for educational equity.
• Current laws are causing self-censorship among educators.
• Grassroots organizing is essential for change in education.
• The upcoming National Day of Action is a call to mobilize communities.

Resources From the Episode:

Website: www.iamaneducator.com

Link to Jesse's book: https://elliottbaybook.com/item/UfU8gx4LO9_0MKt_l7GyNw

Information about Teach the Truth: https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/teach-truth-day-of-action-2025/

Book launch in Seattle: "Teach Truth — Unbanning Books in Public Schools"

"The attack on antiracist education is at our front door, and there’s no clearer or more determined voice in this struggle than Jesse Hagopian's... This is a book that propels us forward."

—Bettina L. Love, author of Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children

"Jesse Hagopian's Teach Truth is the book we need right now. It's the book we have always needed... Hagopian clears away the cobweb of lies that have obscured our national history for generations of students."

—Diane Ravitch, author of Slaying Goliath

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