About the Event
This Teach Truth Day of Action is hosted by the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum and D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice and co-hosted by EmpowerEd and Critical Exposure. It is is one of many Teach Truth Day of Action events being held across the United States at historic sites.
The event will feature remarks by SNCC veteran and museum founder Dr. Frank Smith and Teach Truth pledges read by teachers. We also welcome pledges of support from any students, family, community members. The MC’s are high school teacher Jessica Rucker and high school student Ra’mya Davis. Everyone reading a pledge will receive a choice of a children’s or YA book in appreciation. (RSVP below to let us know you plan to attend and if you are willing to read a pledge.)
We are convening at the historic site of the African American Civil War Memorial. As stated on their website, “the mission of the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum to correct a great wrong in history which pretty much ignored the heroic role of 209,145 US Colored Troops in ending slavery and keeping the United States united as one nation.”
Note that this event is the same day as the Capital Pride Parade and March for Our Lives. If you are participating in either or both, please bring TeachTruth signs with you. The anti-CRT bills are banning books and lessons related to LGBTQ+ history and identity. Teaching honestly about U.S. history undermines the politics of fear and shines a light on forces that prioritize profits from gun sales over the safety of our communities.
We ask that people attending the event be vaccinated and follow safe protocols regarding masks and/or social distancing in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. We encourage people to bring their own water bottles. We will also have a water cooler with paper cups to minimize the use of plastic.
The Teach Truth Days of Action are a national call for teachers and allies to host an event in June at a historic site and read pledges to #TeachTruth. Parents, students, and community members can pledge to support teachers. These events are coordinated by the Zinn Education Project (coordinated by Rethinking Schools and Teaching for Change), Black Lives Matter at School, and the African American Policy Forum. The co-sponsors include Learning for Justice, Climate Generation, Race Forward H.E.A.L. (Honest Education Action & Leadership) Together, National Education Association, Communities for Just Schools Fund, National Center for Youth Law, Center for Black Educator Development, and Voice of Witness.