The concept of Freedom Schools dates back to the Civil Rights Movement. Back then, they were used to educate masses about voting rights, racial terror and what they can do to get involved politically.
When Republican President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, he called on Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans.
As the nation reckons with issues of racism and social justice, area high school students curiosity about American history and current events, along with their openness to engage, has piqued significantly, social studies teachers say. They re drawing parallels between the civil rights struggle and present-day issues, said Mark Condit, who teaches AP U.S. government and politics to 11th and 12th-graders at Ashland High School. Just the other day, students were debating The 1619 Project as we were learning about the March on Washington and Martin Luther King s movement. They re bringing in outside sources not part of the curriculum, and they come ready to discuss difficult topics.