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ICUJP Friday Forum
August 11th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific

YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFULLY TAUGHT: How American History Has Been Distorted to Conceal White Supremacy

Event Description:

Stephen Rohde, Chair of ICUJP, a retired civil rights lawyer, and contributor to several publications, draws on his recent reviews of four important books, THE NATION THAT NEVER WAS, TEACHING WHITE SUPREMACY, RACE AND THE MAKING OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE, and WHEN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WAS WHITE, to explore how the institution of American education trained its teachers and taught its students to believe slavery was good for the enslaved, that Reconstruction was a disaster, that African Americans were innately inferior and that the destiny of the United States was to be ruled by the descendants of White Europeans.

Americans are fond of telling themselves (and teaching future generations) a comforting and reassuring story that we are the heirs of the visionary Founders, when in fact we are the heirs of the brave men and women who defeated the Confederacy and brought about the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. It is that New Birth of Freedom, not a founding based on enslavement and exclusion, that we should be celebrating and using to help build a more just and equal society.

Yet, today Republicans in Congress and several state legislatures across the country are actively seeking to turn back the clock by passing new laws to erase history and reimpose a white supremacist narrative in American education and by banning certain books and curriculums because they offer a thorough account of the ongoing struggle throughout American history to overcome racism, sexism, homophobia and bigotry.

In preparation for this special Friday Forum, here are links to Mr. Rohde's reviews of these four books:

TEACHING WHITE SUPREMACY and RACE AND THE MAKING OF AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE

WHEN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WAS WHITE

THE NATION THAT NEVER WAS

Join the conversation with our speaker:

Stephen Rohde is a lecturer, writer, political activist, and retired constitutional lawyer. In addition to his role as a founder and Chair of ICUJP, he is a past Chair of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, past Chair and board member of Death Penalty Focus, and Chair Emeritus of Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice. Steve authored the books American Words of Freedom and Freedom of Assembly and is co-author of Foundations of Freedom, published by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

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7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions
7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20 Announcements
9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer

Start your morning with us!

Facilitator: Steve Rohde
Reflector: Phil Way

** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **

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Here's how to join the online meeting:

To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.

If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward.

If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.

ICUJP Friday Forum 08/11/23
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)

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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.

August 18th Forum: Peter Maravelis, City Lights Bookstore/Publishing

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