Silence is NOT an Option
September 2026
International Literacy Day (September 8)
The Integration of Little Rock Central High School (September 24, 1957):
The Desegregation of the University of Mississippi (September 30, 1962):
Whether through banned books or lack of representation, historically, African American voices have been kept out and censored in educational spaces. But, as Ta-Nehisi Coates writes in his 2024 book, The Message, educational spaces are where Black students find liberation.
“When I was young, I felt the physical weight of race constantly. We had less. Our lives were more violent. And whether by genes, culture, or divine judgment, this was said to be our fault. The only tool to escape this damnation—for a lucky few—was school.”
Thus, for the month of September, let’s take time to learn about the statistical and historical facts surrounding experiences of Black students in educational spaces.
According to “2024–25 California Statewide Assessment Results…,” in the academic year 2023–24, the percentage of all students meeting or exceeding standard for English Language Arts was 47.0 percent, while Black/African American students were at 30.3 percent. The California Reading Coalition explains that systemic resource distribution plays a significant role. Seventy six percent of Black K-12 students in California are classified as socio-economically disadvantaged.
When we reach back to history, we understand more about the disparities in our resource distributions. We invite you to watch this powerful talk by Terrence Roberts, one of the original nine African-American students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.
We also invite you to learn about James Meredith, the first African American student to enroll in the University of Mississippi.
While many believe that these incidents are a thing of the past, reports show that in our times, our schools are racially resegregated.
***Call to Action***
• The article “California schools are the nation’s most segregated…” explains all the ways in which California schools remain racially segregated. Despite efforts like The District of Choice program, more action is needed.
• Contact your California State Assembly members and Senators and demand that the California Department of Education (CDE) perform mandatory, localized desegregation audits. Attend local school board meetings and demand school districts to post open-enrollment policies and open classroom capacities clearly on their websites, social media, and other platforms, in multiple languages.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
