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February 2, 2025

Weekend Edition: How schools are responding to immigration policy changes, abortion funds drying up, and how to escape poverty in America.

Our book club is BACK and we’re kicking off the new year reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison! It’s one of my personal favorite books, and feels well-timed with our Black History Month series and Toni Morrison’s birthday! Here’s how to join in:

1. Get a copy of The Bluest Eye from your local bookstore or the library (you can search to find it at a library near you using this link)! If you’re a teacher or community leader, you can request free copies here.

2. Follow us @bannedbooksbookclub on Instagram and subscribe to the newsletter for a discussion question prompt each week.

3. Join the live virtual discussion on Wednesday, February 26 at 7pm EST.

Catch up on 28 Days of Black History – and join in!

Our fourth annual "28 Days of Black History" newsletter series that launched this weekend! We're exploring the theme of labor and liberation, highlighting the innovators, organizers, and dreamers who rebuilt America's understanding of work while fighting for freedom.

Here’s who we’ve highlighted so far. Subscribe to the series to get each story in your inbox this month!

Day 1: A. Philip Randolph, founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, and instrumental in organizing the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Read >

Day 2: Isaac Myers, a labor pioneer who built one of America's first Black-led trade unions in the face of white supremacy. Read >

Join us by subscribing to the series or following us on Instagram for posts. And please share with leaders and educators in your community!

Rupture and Repair in the Workplace

Tuesday, February 11 | 3-5pm EST

This two-hour intensive session focuses on navigating moments of tension and conflict as they arise in professional settings. Participants will learn practical, real-time strategies for de-escalating situations, intervening effectively, and rebuilding trust after moments of rupture.

Through hands-on practice and scenario work, we’ll develop a personalized toolkit for addressing workplace tensions while maintaining cultural awareness and psychological safety.

Trump’s education department says book bans are a ‘hoax.’ Teachers disagree. In South Carolina and nationally, the push against censorship continues under a Trump administration that denies reading restrictions are happening. 19th News >

Why the right Is wrong about Critical Race Theory. “The right wing has tried to distort critical race theory. This Black History Month, let’s reflect on what it really is.” This is such an informative interview on the discourse around CRT and how today’s attacks on DEI mirror the same unfounded sentiment. Truthout >

How are schools responding to immigration policy shifts? Student attendance and the legal rights of schools and families are among concerns after schools lose “protected areas” status. K12 Dive >

Trump has directed the federal government to restrict access to gender-affirming care for youth. Hospitals, clinics and medical schools that provide gender-affirming care to transgender youth are at risk of losing federal funding if they continue providing that care. The executive order is likely to be challenged in court. 19th News >

Trump is just getting started. What are climate activists supposed to do? Are you interested in environmental justice and unsure where to start? This article offers helpful guidance from organizers, who pledge that “nothing is off the table” when facing this administration. Grist >

A fake viral post has made pro-Palestine students in Missouri live in fear. A fabricated image portrayed Students for Justice in Palestine as extremists. Their university failed to defend them. Truthout >

Climate wins are happening, you just aren’t hearing about them. Research shows we’re drawn to bad news, and President Trump’s actions only amplify the noise. Still, there are hard-fought climate victories worth celebrating in the United States and beyond. Atmos >

Army helicopter accidents are occurring at near record rates. In 2024, the Army recorded more Class A flight mishaps — the most serious type of aircraft accidents — than it has in a decade. The Intercept >

Maui’s post-wildfire housing crisis offers a warning for Los Angeles. After wildfires devastated the island, homelessness spiked. Advocates fear L.A. could face a similar fate without strong renter protections — and enforcement. Grist >

Black residents liken Mississippi’s new court system to ‘modern day slavery.’ This week, a controversial state-run court opens in the predominantly Black capital city, despite overwhelming opposition from Black residents. Capital B News >

One reason it’s harder to escape poverty in America. A recent study underscores why poor kids in the US are likely to become poor adults. More government support during adulthood could change that. This short interview with one of the researchers from the study helps contextualize the need for more adult support. Vox >

“Solidarity Is Not a Transaction”

For The Forge, the fantastic Clarissa Brooks unpacks the phenomenon of solidarity being misunderstood and corrects the record on the origins of the purpose of global solidarity efforts for marginalized people. Forge Organizing >

A Day in the Life of an Abortion Fund Worker

Donations to abortion funds are drying up. Here’s how the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund stretches a dollar. If you, like me, read this and are interested in supporting abortion funds, you can use this directory. Lux Magazine >

There Is No Such Thing as the “Latino Vote”

Colonialism and racism fueled the invention of “Latino” as a category and continue to distort U.S. politics today. Hammer & Hope >