In an enlightening and compelling webinar hosted by the Appleseed Network and led by New York Appleseed and Texas Appleseed, titled “The Road to Integration: Challenging Modern Tactics of School Segregation,” we delved into the profound and often understated issue of school segregation that persists in our society. The event brought together daughter & father, respectively, Leah Rothstein and Richard Rothstein, distinguished co-authors of “Just Action,” a sequel to the latter’s critical work “The Color of Law.”
Leah Rothstein, a seasoned public policy expert, has an illustrious career that spans grassroots activism to significant policy development. Her work in community development, affordable housing, and community corrections has left an indelible mark on Alameda County and the San Francisco probation departments. She’s not only consulted for housing developers and government agencies but also stood on the front lines as a community and labor organizer.
Richard Rothstein, a Distinguished Fellow of the Economic Policy Institute and Senior Fellow Emeritus at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, brings a wealth of knowledge on the issues of race and education. His landmark book, “The Color of Law,” critically examines the government’s role in fostering residential segregation.
The webinar unfolded with a powerful narrative that linked the history of housing segregation with school segregation, emphasizing their intertwined nature. Leah Rothstein astutely noted, “To address them together is to understand the comprehensive history that shapes our present educational landscapes”.
A poignant moment came when Richard Rothstein spoke about the overwhelming responsibility that lies with federal policy for residential segregation. Yet, he asserted, “Local policy sustains and reinforces it… we can take action in our own communities to significantly dent the segregation that exists”. This statement captures the essence of empowerment and the need for grassroots mobilization.
Leah Rothstein highlighted the need for a revitalized Civil Rights Movement, stating, “Building this movement around the country is no small feat, but it is essential to redress segregation”. The call for biracial and multiethnic leadership was echoed by Richard Rothstein, who argued for the necessity of such unity in challenging modern school segregation tactics.
The webinar also addressed the broader impacts of segregation, particularly on education and health. For instance, Richard Rothstein pointed out the dire consequences of residential segregation on African-American students’ achievements and how environmental factors such as higher rates of asthma in polluted urban neighborhoods affect school performance.
The Rothsteins did not leave attendees without solutions. They spoke of combating segregation through legislative changes and holding institutions accountable, as Leah mentioned, “Covenants were signed to create segregation; we must press banks, realtors, and developers to redress this”. This call to action was paired with strategies for local advocacy, as Richard Rothstein urged, “Share victories with like-minded groups to replicate and learn from each other”.
One of the most impactful takeaways was the emphasis on sustained community organizing. Leah Rothstein reflected, “Sustained momentum in community organizing is crucial… it’s a long process with smaller victories building towards larger ones”. This mirrors the perseverance required to overcome decades, if not centuries, of institutional segregation.
In conclusion, the webinar not only shed light on the complexities of school segregation but also offered a beacon of hope through community action and advocacy. It was a clarion call for a united front against the divisive wedges in multicultural settings and a reminder that every small victory contributes to the larger goal of integration and equality. As we move forward, let’s take these insights and apply them, fostering a world where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated as our collective strength.
You can watch the full event below:
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