Stuff You Should Know What were the Freedom Schools?
Oct 3, 2019
Discover the inspiring story of Freedom Schools, which emerged in 1960s Mississippi as vital educational hubs during the Civil Rights Movement. These schools focused on empowering Black students through a curriculum rich in social justice and cultural pride. Learn how young activists found their voice and engaged their communities, navigating the challenges of systemic oppression. Hear reflections on the risks faced during Freedom Summer and the legacy of these transformative institutions that continue to influence social activism today.
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Mississippi's Resistance to Integration
- Mississippi deliberately resisted school integration after the Brown v. Board ruling.
- They maintained segregated and grossly unequal school systems, spending far less on Black students' education.
Sharecropper Schools' Curriculum
- Black children attended poorly funded, short-term "sharecropper" schools, hindering their education.
- They received a distorted curriculum promoting white supremacy and Black inferiority.
Freedom Summer's Goal
- Robert Moses proposed Freedom Summer to challenge Mississippi's racist authorities.
- The plan aimed to register Black voters and force a confrontation between local and federal powers.