Author: I AM AN EDUCATOR

Jesse Hagopian teaches history and is the co-adviser to the Black Student Union at Garfield High School, the site of the historic boycott of the MAP test in 2013. Jesse is an associate editor of the acclaimed Rethinking Schools magazine, is a founding member of Social Equality Educators (SEE), was recipient of the 2012 Abe Keller Foundation award for “excellence and innovation in peace education,” and was received the 2013 Secondary Teacher of Year award by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences.

#LegalizeBlackHistory: Past Lessons to Resist Florida’s Ban on AP African American Studies—and the College Board’s Capitulation

On By I AM AN EDUCATORIn AP, Black History, Black History Month, Legalize Black History, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Past struggles in Florida against slavery, Jim Crow, the Red Scare, and the Lavender Scare are replete with lessons to build a justice society today. We can’t allow Florida--or the College Board--to purged them from our classrooms.

#LegalizeBlackHisotry: Celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth With 20% Off New Apparel That Sends a Message to Florida & the Nation

On By I AM AN EDUCATORIn Black History, Black History Month, Legalize Black History, UncategorizedLeave a comment

In celebration of Black History Month, we have opened a new on-line “Legalize Black History” store--with more products than the previous one--and are offering a 20% discount on all appeal and school supplies! The new online Legalize Black History store features t-shirts and merch, some with the classic design, some messages specifically for Florida educators, and others for educators all over the country. Our demand to legalize Black history is particularly urgent since Florida banned the new AP African American Studies course and has passed a law stipulating that teachers caught with banned books—related to Black history or the queer experience—face “up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine…a third-degree felony.”

New “Legalize Black History” Shirt–With States Banning Black History, Time To Order Yours Today!

On By I AM AN EDUCATORIn #TeachTruth, Black History Month, Legalize Black History, Uncategorized5 Comments

Everyone should celebrate Black history month—and with the new “Legalize Black History” (TM) shirt and merch, you can send that powerful message this year! The proceeds will go to supporting the youth winners of the Black Education Matters Student Activist Award, as well as supporting the writing of a forthcoming book about the struggle to stop the banning of Black history. With Florida's recent banning of AP African American Studies, this movement is urgent. Let’s build a world where everyone’s history is not only legal but celebrated!

“Dazzling, Tender, Greasy, Thought Provoking” Music For Hard Times: The Blue Tide’s “Plague Blues” Album Reviewed

On By I AM AN EDUCATORIn The Blue Tide, UncategorizedLeave a comment

There's no doubt that we are living through hard times; times described as "The Right Time (To Sing The Blues)" on the new "Plague Blues" album, recently reviewed by Rick J. Bowen of the Washington Blues Society.