University of Southern California’s Post

Black Student Success Week is just the beginning. If you care about continuing this movement and taking this discussion seriously, join me in signing this letter and contacting your state legislator today. Here’s the action plan: 1) SIGN the letter (linked below) 2) SHARE this post on social media and ask your networks to sign too. 3) KEEP TALKING about Black Student Success every day - in your colleges, communities, families, and professional networks. #BlackStudentSuccessWeek #BSSW2024

📣📣Often wonder what you can do to be a champion for Black folks? Guess what: here's an action step you can take right now! Follow the link below to send a letter to your legislators to ask them to focus on and prioritize Black student success. As the mother of a former Black student and a future Black graduate student, we need you to take action. Do something!

Patriotism, the deep love and devotion towards one's country, holds different meanings for students. As we explore six patriotic colleges, it's important to acknowledge that patriotism can be subjective and vary from person to person. For some, it represents a strong sense of national pride and loyalty, while for others, it signifies a commitment to democratic values and social justice. Understanding this diverse interpretation of patriotism allows us to appreciate the range of expressions and experiences within these colleges, where students can cultivate their own understanding of patriotism while pursuing higher education. https://lnkd.in/gDK2UTrH

In the United States, affirmative action is controversial and public opinion on the subject is divided. Supporters of affirmative action argue that it promotes equality and representation for groups which are socio-economically disadvantaged or have faced historical discrimination or oppression.[need quotation to verify] Opponents of affirmative action have argued that it is a form of reverse discrimination, that it tends to benefit the most privileged within minority groups at the expense of the least fortunate within majority groups, or that—when applied to universities—it can hinder minority students by placing them in courses for which they have not been adequately prepared. In June 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States decided a landmark case, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, holding race-conscious college admissions processes to be unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The ruling does not explicitly apply to U.S. military academies, and it allows for students's discussion of race to continue to be considered in the context of "how race affected the applicant's life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university."

Dr. Bettina Love and host Chris Stewart dive deep into the systemic issues plaguing the education system and the impact on Black children. Dr. Love shares insights from her new book, "Punished for Dreaming," discussing how past and present school reform efforts have fallen short and detailing her framework for meaningful change. Key takeaways include the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs in education, the case for reparations as a step towards educational equity, and the potential for community-driven solutions to enact real change. Join us for this critical conversation on how to build a more just and inclusive educational future for our children. Dr. Love outlines her vision for an educational overhaul, the significance of culturally competent teaching, and the power of community engagement in crafting education systems that uplift Black children. Chris and Dr. Love debate various aspects of education reform while agreeing on the need for a fundamental rethinking of education to ensure justice and equity for all students. https://lnkd.in/e3QCwEYd

Reading and reflecting on, "America's Crisis of Civic Virtue," by Arthur Brooks. In it, Brooks argues that both democracy and capitalism are threatened by declining civility, honesty, and trust in American society, rather than capitalism itself being a threat to democracy. To address this, he recommends reviving civic virtue through strengthening civil society institutions, such as community organizations, schools, and national service programs. Universities should recommit to free speech and avoid taking sides on contentious issues. The private sector should be subject to stronger regulatory enforcement to prevent market failures. Leaders in business, media, and education should refrain from engaging in the culture war, as taking sides on divisive issues foments mistrust and contempt. Ultimately, individual citizens can contribute to renewal by avoiding polarizing influences, supporting unifying politicians, engaging in community efforts, and forming friendships across ideological lines. https://lnkd.in/e_MB8U-Z

Step in the right direction...

May 17, 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Not that long ago really, and in a vastly different climate where diversity, equity, and inclusion go. It bears marking, as noted in these 2 local newspaper articles I reference, that segregation existed across many states in many school districts at that time, including in Delaware. And many cases to desegregate had been launched and some were party to the Brown case as they too had bubbled up through the courts around the same time. It is important not to forget the many courageous African American students across the country who braved the resistance and hostility of all-white schools to realize implementation of the Court’s ruling in Brown. Desegregation, following the Brown decision, was far from automatic and immediate.  Two articles on the Delaware part of the story, so to speak, can be found at: R. Collins, “Marking 70th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education” published in The Cape Gazette (print version February 16 – February 19, 2024) at: https://lnkd.in/e5xfzPKX . Also see the section “The Milford 11” in R. MacArthur, “Du Pont Experiment Includes African American Schools” published in The Cape Gazette (print version April 26 – April 29, 2024) at: https://lnkd.in/eun3PeZW . #racialjustice #desegregation #civilrights #DEI #Diversityequityandinclusion #inclusion #education #Delaware

💡An insight from our conversation with Michelle Blanchet, the co-founder of The Educators' Lab, highlighting the importance of civic education and how our present actions shape tomorrow's civic landscape. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/dbxjQQPn This post is part of a series introducing the remarkable individuals featured in the first issue of NECE Magazine. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dePqR6-y