Dr. Tondra Loder-Jackson, Discusses Impact of Civil Rights On Education
Birmingham City Schools have experienced segregation, desegregation, white flight and dwindling enrollment over the past 50 years. But can the system use lessons from the past to build a stronger future for its students?
Dr. Tondra Loder-Jackson, a UAB professor in the School of Education, has researched the topic and written an article entitled “The Sociopolitical Context of Education in Post-Civil Rights Birmingham.” It has been published in The Peabody Journal of Education. She has also written a book set for release in December entitled, Schoolhouse Activists: African American Educators and the Long Birmingham Civil Rights Movement.
In advance of the WBHM/Southern Education Desk Issues and Ales forum on the future of Education in Alabama, Dr. Loder-Jackson, a graduate of Birmingham City Schools, discussed her research. Here excerpts from the interview.
Research Challenges
I have to think about this topic from two standpoints – one being a child who grew up in Birmingham, but then also as a researcher. Being from the city, having strong family ties and friendships here, it means I have an affinity to Birmingham. But as a researcher, I also do have to step back and be willing to critique.
Birmingham’s Past Propels Its Future
We know that Birmingham has a strong history of Civic Capacity. And the focus has been on the 1950s and 1960s phase of the Civil Rights Movement. But when it comes to education one aspect lost on a lot of us is the role citizens played — the role that families played in transforming the school system. People like Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, the Armstrong family, the other families that desegregated Ramsay, West End and the teachers that supported them show me that we have a long history of common citizens getting involved in democratic issues in this city.
Preparing for Changing Demographics
It’s most important that schools do right by the students who are there, irrespective of their identity. People want to see excellence. That can occur in Birmingham City Schools. I believe if we make the system excellent for the students who are currently there, that could be a magnet for those who desire diversity.
Birmingham is 3rd worst in the Southeast for ozone pollution, new report says
The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report shows some metro areas in the Gulf States continue to have poor air quality.
Why haven’t Kansas and Alabama — among other holdouts — expanded access to Medicaid?
Only 10 states have not joined the federal program that expands Medicaid to people who are still in the "coverage gap" for health care
Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
Thousands of ordinary people who helped clean up after the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico say they got sick. A court settlement was supposed to help compensate them, but it hasn’t turned out as expected.
Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis
Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring a Community Engagement Producer
The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking a curious, creative and collaborative professional to work with our regional team to build up engaged journalism efforts.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
