Will you answer the call for democracy and education?
My entire life I have been inspired by the 1963 March on Washington. If I close my eyes, I can see and hear Martin Luther King Jr. delivering the I Have a Dream speech. Our generation must, we MUST continue the social change that this nation requires. The 2016 SOS Coalition People’s March for Public Education & Social Justice occurred on the step of the Lincoln Memorial on July 8.
A coalition of grassroots groups, union organizations, and activists gathered to organize and march for:
Full, equitable funding for all public schools; safe, racially just schools and communities; community leadership in public school policies; professional, diverse educators for all students; child-centered, culturally appropriate curriculum for all; and no high-stakes standardized testing!
It was incredible to be a part of the mass gathering of children and adults who rallyied and marched in support of education and social justice this summer!
In my speech at the Lincoln Memorial I implored those listening to answer the call for democracy and education. I also asked attendees to press for community-based solutions in education policy.
My Great Grandmother Z. Louise Scott was at the 1963 March on Washington. In fact, she also heard the I Have a Dream Speech when it was given first in Detroit by Dr. King. So, I was very emotional when I started the speech, you can probably hear my voice cracking.
I wore the 1963 March on Washington button in honor of my Great Grandmother Z. Louise Scott at #Peoplesmarch16
But her memory, and her remembering her on the mall more than 50 years ago gave me the strength to give the most important speech of my life to date.