On Friday, August 27, 2021, ERASE Racism held a student dialogue, as part of a nation-wide Teach the Truth Day of Action. Our event was purposefully held at the Joseph Lloyd Manor House on the north shore of Long Island, a place where enslaved Africans once lived. Our host at the site was Preservation Long Island, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and preserves Long Island’s diverse cultural and architectural heritage including the Lloyd Manor House and the knowledge about those who lived there, including the Africans who were enslaved there. ERASE Racism organized this teaching moment for some high school student members of our Student Task Force. Some parents, educators and community members joined the discussion about the benefits of learning the truth about Long Island and U.S. history, including the impact of the race and racism on our country.
We also discussed the danger of current legislation in at least 27 states as of August 2021 that would effectively require teachers to avoid educating students about the factual role of racism and oppression throughout U.S History.
We asked students in attendance if they were ever taught about slavery on LI in their classes at school. Though the students each attend different schools and are in different grade levels, none could recall ever being taught about slavery on Long Island at school.
Preservation LI’s Executive Director Alexandra Wolfe and her staff introduced students and attendees to the history of slavery on Long Island and New York State, the history of Joseph Lloyd Manor House, and the importance of learning this history and of maintaining this site. Students then signed a Teach the Truth Pledge in support of educators who: seek to teach us complete and accurate histories, help students better understand problems in our society today and how to critically examine various solutions to those problems, and incorporate culturally responsive-sustaining education into their classes. If you are a student and you want to sign the pledge, please click here.
During the event, students shared their opinions about the importance of learning a factual history of racism in the United States. Here is what some of them had to say:
- “Learning the truth about this nation’s complex history in schools is important because… our past consists of more than just heroes, campaigns, and figureheads. History is social, it includes structural and systemic prejudice and racism. Not allowing us to discuss and explore ‘sensitive topics’ avoids essential conversations. Developing a safe learning environment is impossible if accurate information is restricted.”
- “When we don’t teach the truth, we teach children… that the story of their descendants does not matter, to ignore the roots of our country and systemic racism, that the voices of some are more powerful than others and that they may not deserve to be heard, to accept the realities of racism without question.”
- “When we don’t teach the truth, we teach children… to disregard what happened in the past and what has led to our current state of inequity.”
- “I think it’s important to learn the truth about this country’s history of systemic racism in schools because… it will help us achieve a more just future.”
For more information about the national movement coordinated by Zinn Education Project and/or to sign onto the national pledge, click here (please note that this pledge is for educators only).
Students, educators, and community advocates can share their pledges on social media using the hashtag #TeachTruth and tag @ERASEracismny!
Thank you to our Partners at Preservation LI for hosting this important event.
You can find pictures from the event as well as student pledges here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWETfyc