Myron Long and Brandon Johnson are co-founders of the Social Justice School, an innovative middle school in Washington, DC that teaches students to apply design principles to create a just world. This week, we talk with them about pivotal experiences as students-- reconciling with opportunities lost, answering fundamental questions about identity and the “right” path to liberation -- that deeply influenced their philosophy about teaching and leadership.
While Long and Johnson did not plan to open their school in the receding waves of global protests against injustice, it is an auspicious time for students to witness the relevance of their unique education.
Notes and Resources
The Social Justice School thesocialjusticeschool.org
Social Justice in Education
https://medium.com/@dan.r.scratch/social-justice-education-is-for-everyone-18dcf8569182
Black existentialism or Africana critical theory is a school of thought that "critiques domination and affirms the empowerment of Black people in the world".
Jazmine Sullivan - Let It Burn
Resources for news segment: https://news.maryland.gov/mcss/2020/06/15/an-introduction-to-sros-in-maryland/
https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/county-state-lawmakers-battle-over-school-resource-officers-intensifies/
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/state-lawmakers-consider-legislation-surrounding-future-of-sros-in-schools/35366160