It feels like we are at a similar kind of inflection point today. American education feels under direct threat by regressive and conservative voices bent on extinguishing DEI initiatives, banning books, eliminating LGBTQ+ recognition and support, and indoctrinating young people into a cult of fearful and silent forced ingestion of lies.  What is the contemporary analog of Freedom Schools? How will we, holistic educators resist?

In 1966 SNCC published a book, Freedom School Poetry that emerged from Freedom School teachers and students. Many of the contributing authors were teens at the time and would now be in their 70’s. The forward was written by Langston Hughes who wrote, “Poems, like prayers, possess power.” The book’s closing poem, written by “Mitchell M.” is called “Say Freedom.” Where are our poets today whose “souls are on fire?”

There shall come a day

When every man will say

FREEDOM!

When your heart desires,

When your soul's on fire,

Say FREEDOM!

How my voice sings out

Above the loudest shout,

Say FREEDOM!

~Paul Freedman

Senior Editor

Holistic Education Review