Remembering the things we’ve learned to forget: COVID-19, anti-Blackness, and more just educational futures

Multiple Presenter Session: Alternative Session

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated both historical and existing systemic inequities in the schooling and educational experiences of Black children across the United States. Additionally, during the summer of 2020, the death of George Floyd, Jr. sparked international racial uprisings. People flooded the streets in protest of police violence, foundations supported organizations with justice-centered aims, and legislation and laws were passed that aimed to respond to the historical contours of anti-Black racism (Dumas & Ross, 2016).
Yet, just several years later, the diversity initiatives and funding are drying up, and the recent election has left many with feelings of loss. However, we urge others to remember what has always been possible and speculate about building more just futures. As such, in this alternative session, we argue that 2020—and the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and anti-Blackness—serve as critical reflective moments that might shape collective movements for future educational justice.

Sub Track

• AESA

Presenters

• Asif Wilson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Rachel McMillian, Indiana University Indianapolis