Dr. Valerie Tucker, KC Elder & Black Civil Rights Activist to Give Riveting Talk on “Education As Resistance”

In an era marked by the resurgence of white supremacist ideologies and the systematic erasure of Black narratives, the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group (GKCBHSG) stands as a beacon of defiance and enlightenment.

On November 18th, within the walls of the Black Archives of Mid-America, Dr. Valerie Tucker’s discourse on education as a form of resistance will serve as a clarion call, echoing the enduring spirit of Black resilience and intellectual insurgency.

The event, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 1:00 pm is at the Black Archives of Mid-America, located at 1722 E. 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108.

Why Black Education Matters Now

As fascist book bans sweep through our libraries and educational institutions, and as the whitewashing of history becomes a coordinated movement, the theme of this month’s talk, “Education As Resistance,” resonates with a renewed urgency.

Amidst this cultural battleground, where the very essence of truth is under siege, the GKCBHSG’s invitation to the public is not merely timely—it is a radical call to arms.

Dr. Tucker’s presentation is set against the backdrop of a national crisis—an orchestrated campaign to suppress Black history, silence dissenting voices, and perpetuate a narrative that glorifies oppressors while condemning the oppressed to the margins.

Her analysis is an unflinching critique of the algorithms of oppression, a legacy of a society still deeply entrenched in white supremacy, policing and incarceration. Yet, this event is more than an academic dissection; it is an act of radical resistance through the power of education.

The Black community has long wielded knowledge as a weapon against subjugation. From the secret reading lessons held on the outskirts of slave plantations to the intellectual rebellions staged within historically Black colleges and universities, our commitment to education has long been an act of liberation.

Dr. Tucker’s insights are a continuation of this tradition, a modern manifestation of what Dr. Jarvis R. Givens terms “fugitive pedagogy,” where Black educators and students have historically and continually engaged in acts of subversion against an anti-Black educational structure.

In today’s climate, where the stories of our ancestors are at risk of being wiped from the curriculum, this talk by Dr. Tucker is not just educational—it is an essential lifeline to the truth. It is an affirmation of our right to our history, our stories, and our voice. This moment in time, perhaps more than any other, calls for a resurgence of the radical spirit that has carried us through centuries of struggle.

Confirm your attendance by reaching out to kcblackhistory2@gmail.com. Be part of this vital conversation that promises not just to enlighten but to empower and galvanize a community ready to resist through the power of education.