Click on this link to read about an Egyptian political activist’s experience becoming an American citizen and his ongoing fight for democratic ideals.
Category Archives: Hard-Won Liberty
How to Protect Civil Liberties in a Pandemic
COVID-19 has stripped us of some of our basic freedoms, forcing us to stay in our homes, wear masks, and observe social distancing guidelines. Now some people are worried about how government policies crafted in response to the crisis could restrict civil liberties.
John Lewis, lion of civil rights and Congress, dies at 80
Recently deceased, Congressman John Lewis was a true American hero. We remember his sacrifices and accomplishments as a civil rights activist.
How a book club is helping to keep ex-offenders from going back to jail
Reading books and writing poetry while in prison helped save Jimmy Santiago Baca from returning to a life of crime. A program in Washington, D.C., strives to make the same difference in the lives of prisoners.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Nobel Lecture
In 1964, Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts toward equal rights for all. Read the speech he gave the day after accepting this honor.
Freedom and privacy in the time of coronavirus
A global epidemic doesn’t only provide medical challenges; it also forces countries to re-evaluate the freedoms and limitations of their people.
Colson Whitehead’s ‘Underground Railroad’ Is a Literal Train to Freedom
In this Fresh Air interview, author Colson Whitehead talks about how he re-imagined the escape from enslavement.
French Revolution
The American Revolution didn’t only bring freedom to Americans; it also helped fuel a revolution across the ocean in France. Learn about how the French people overthrew their monarchy and what the result of the revolution was.
The Speech That Brought India to the Brink of Independence
In August of 1942, Mohandas Gandhi gave an influential speech urging Indians to stand up for their liberty. Read to learn more about India’s struggle for independence and the historical significance of Gandhi’s speech.
LIBERTY! The American Revolution
The struggle for liberty is at the heart of the United States’ founding. Learn more about what led to the American Revolution and how it was won by exploring this interactive site.
Freedom of the Mind
When the body is imprisoned by captivity or injury, it’s essential for the mind to remain free. This BBC radio broadcast features the voices of people who survived lengthy captivity by keeping their minds active and hopeful.
Arab spring: an interactive timeline of Middle East protests
Sparked by the self-immolation death of a Tunisian fruit vendor, the Arab Spring protests swept across North Africa and the Middle East beginning in early 2011. Explore this interactive timeline for a wealth of information about the protests and what they achieved.
The historic women’s suffrage march on Washington
Watch this video to learn about the Women’s Suffrage Parade—the first mass protest for a woman’s right to vote.
Protests in Hong Kong Continue, Remain Peaceful Throughout the Weekend
Protests in Hong Kong continue into the 11th straight week. Read the latest on their development.
Hong Kong’s huge protests, explained
Watch this video to understand where the tensions between Hong Kong and mainland China stem from and why people continue to protest.
Children of the Fifty-Sixers: Growing up in Hungarian Chicago
Author Rebecca Makkai reflects on how her father’s escape from Communist-controlled Hungary in 1956 still echoes in her life in the United States.
American Experience: Freedom Riders
In 1961, a diverse group of activists rode interstate buses to several southern cities, violating laws that did not allow African Americans to sit at the front of the bus or alongside white riders. This simple act sparked violent responses that drew attention to the civil rights cause. Explore the route and hear the voices of the Freedom Riders through this interactive site.
After 39 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment, Ricky Jackson Is Finally Free
Ricky Jackson spent nearly four decades in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. While he was incarcerated, he wrote letters to journalists about his case. Learn how the charges against Jackson were finally dismissed.
AI is sending people to jail—and getting it wrong
Can the legal system rely on artificial intelligence to make fair recommendations for sentencing criminals? Or do these technologies perpetuate historical biases against low-income and minority communities? Read to learn more.
Martin Luther King was no prophet of unity. He was a radical
This opinion piece points out that people tend to remember Martin Luther King Jr. fondly as a civil rights leader while overlooking the fact that his views and actions were radical.