Category Archives: The Struggle for Freedom

Few Artifacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Still Exist. These Iron Blocks Help Tell That Gut-Wrenching Story

Divers examining a shipwreck off the southern coast of Africa recovered remnants that bring the human experience of slavery into sharp focus.

The Black Student Loan Crisis That Led Robert Smith To Pay Off HBCU Morehouse Grads’ Debt

Read about one billionaire’s response to the student loan debt problems facing the country and how African American graduates are disproportionately affected.

Cherokee Nation Says It Is Owed a Representative in Congress

Listen to this radio report to learn about the Cherokee Nation’s bid to claim a U.S. Congress delegate seat.

20 Historic Moments in the Fight for LGBTQ Rights

Read about some famous historical moments and their impact on policies today regarding the struggle for LGBTQ rights.

KidsRights Index

Learn which countries do a good (and not-so-good) job of protecting the rights of children. Explore the links to learn more about how each country’s score is tabulated.

Brother Outsider

Bayard Rustin was the mastermind behind the March on Washington. Watch the trailer for this PBS documentary and learn about the honors belatedly conferred on this little-known hero of the civil rights movement.

U.S. Soccer President ‘surprised’ by women’s team’s gender discrimination suit

Along with opportunities for women excel in athletics comes the struggle to be paid fairly. Learn about the discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, who are paid far less than their male counterparts despite being much more successful on the world stage.

Australia targets big business with world’s 2nd anti-slavery law

A 2018 law requires that companies in Australia disclose how they prevent modern-day slavery, but some citizens question its effectiveness.

How 19th-Century Women Used Department Stores to Gain Their Freedom

In the 1870s, the creation of deparatment stores gave women a socially acceptably way to leave the home, both as shoppers and as part of the workforce.

Robert Kraft teams with Jay-Z, Meek Mill in starting criminal justice reform organization

Read about an orgaization dedicated to reforming the criminal justice system, which it argues jails too many people.

Speech on Campus

In recent years, debate over what is considered free speech on college campus has increased. This Q&A from the American Civil Liberties Union answers what kind of speech is and is not protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Widow of Murdered Civil Rights Leader Medgar Evers Moves Beyond Hatred

In 1963, civil-rights activist Medgar Evers was murdered in his driveway by a white supremacist. Evers’s widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, has carried on his legacy and spoke recently about the civil rights movement and her hopes for the future.

Instead of Saying “Life’s Not Fair,” Teach Her How to Fight Injustice

This guide from the Girl Scouts explains how to identify injustices and overcome them.

Martin Luther King Jr. ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech Anniversary: Who Organized the March on Washington?

Learn about the people behind the famous 1963 march in the nation’s capital.

The Argentine mother who took on the Junta dictatorship over her ‘disappeared’ son

In the laste 1970s and early 1980s, the Junta dictatorship in Argentia took thousands of people they feared were dissenters or would grow up to dissent. Read about one woman’s fight to find justice for her son.

The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela review – one man’s otherworldly patience

To commerate Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid in South Africa, a collection of letters written during his imprisonment was recently published. Critic Tim Adams shares what he discovered about the already well-known leader.

What a Novel Can Say About the Egyptian Revolution

Find out why fiction works well as a way to explore the still-uncertain outcomes of the 2011 Arab Spring movement.

An Animated Adventure, Drawn from Life

Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel, became a critically-acclaimed film in 2007. Learn about the creative process behind the depiction of one young woman’s struggle for personal and political freedom.