Nisha Marino
In November, Executive Director Caroline Storm and I went to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a national convening on the state of public education. Representatives from coalitions across twenty-two states joined at the PEER convening for three days of conversation and learning about public education and advocacy in the U.S.
Our time at the convening was focused on what advocates face at the state level and how they address it. While each state has its own politics and education systems, we were able to discuss our challenges and responses so that we can learn from one another.
Alaska is, of course, unique from other states. The state is geographically much larger, less accessible, and more expensive to live in. Still, other states’ representatives had helpful lessons about how to organize and advocate for public education.
We talked a lot about funding, one of the central problems most states are facing. Many states are struggling against vouchers, which move funds away from public schools and into private ones – often giving state money to already-wealthy families. Voucher legislation was on the ballot in many states this year, but was often defeated with widespread opposition from voters. We were fortunate to talk to advocates who have successfully fought off vouchers in their states to make sure public funds continue to go to public schools, like those in Nebraska who had to defeat vouchers twice.
The people in the room at PEER are smart and honest – they know what public schools are up against and talk candidly about it. Following the election, this is especially important. We can’t afford to simply defend our public schools against attacks, we have to actively push for better.
One of the things that makes public education so vital yet vulnerable is that it is our greatest opportunity to inform children about the world. All of us, and especially children, should be armed with knowledge about where we come from so that we can be prepared to go forward. The more opportunities we have to share our histories and strategies, the better.
I want to end by telling you a little bit about Tulsa. Over the three days, we had several chances to engage with and learn local history. We took a tour of the Greenwood District and learned the real history of the Tulsa Massacre from local historian Chief Amusan. We got to hear from Damario Solomon-Simmons, an attorney helping survivors of the massacre get reparations, and Dr. Tiffany Crutcher – the founder of the Terence Crutcher Foundation, which works to create just and liberated communities free from violence and harm.
For me, it was really special and important to be able to learn the history of the place hosting us from the people who are fighting for it. We weren’t just there to talk about education, we were there to participate in it ourselves. The great thing about learning is that it can change you for the better, as you adjust your relationship with the world and people around you. And, as many attendees pointed out, it is our duty to do so, as histories of violence against marginalized people are actively being suppressed.
My gratitude for this trip is actionable, and I ask that readers please read and take action on the following two petitions. The first is to address over-policing and violence in Black communities, which you can find here. The second is to designate the Historic Greenwood/Black Wall Street National Monument, which you can find here.
