Hi Reader,

The right of every child to attend school seems pretty straight forward, right? It's easy to forget how many generations of people had to fight racism, ableism, and anti-immigrant prejudice in order to enroll their children in public school.

It's important to honor all the many different groups of people who've fought for their right to education. We shouldn't consider this a fight that's been won once and for all, either.

Under the Trump administration, the Education Department dismissed 90% of civil rights complaints between March to September of last year. Massive cuts in the Education Department have been especially alarming to disability advocates. In my state legislature, politicians are working to pass a bill that will require schools to make lists of their undocumented students.

As you think about what you can do in your own community to uphold the right to education, I encourage you to introduce children to the stories of people whose brave action changed laws and practices in their community.

My new list of picture books and chapter books about the right to education can help! In the list you'll find stories about:

✏️ How the Tape family stood up against a San Francisco law that said Chinese children couldn't attend school in the 1880s.

👧🏾 Ruby Bridges 6-year-old perspective on what it was like to be the first Black student to desegregate a New Orleans school. (The art in this one is fantastic!)

🏫 An Indigenous family in California who refused to accept an Indian day school focused on turning out laundry workers as the only educational option for their daughter. I highly recommend this read for 8 - 12 year olds.

♿ How revered disability activist Judith Heumann's fight for her rights began in elementary school.

Happy reading,

Rebekah

Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza |