The fight for civil rights wasn’t just waged in the streets, it was built in classrooms led by unsung heroes. In this episode Rick speaks with author Elaine Weiss about her new book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the little-known history of citizenship schools—grassroots educational programs in the 1950s and 60s that empowered Black Americans to pass literacy tests, register to vote, and fight systemic oppression. Weiss sheds light on the broader civil rights movement, the institutional barriers activists faced, and the enduring importance of civic education in today’s political landscape.
Elaine's book, Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:02:00) The history of the citizenship schools
(00:07:32) The institutional opposition
(00:16:15) The post war era ripple effect
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