Teach Truth Day of Action Saturday, June 10, at 10 AM
DATE: June 5, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: For media inquiries, contact Gabrielle Rogers at media@stonemountainaction.org and support@stonemountainaction.org
WHAT: The Stone Mountain Action Coalition joins the Teach Truth Day of Action 2023 which is a nationwide event where educators, students, parents, and community members unite to defend the right to teach truthfully and LGBTQ+ rights. The event aims to raise awareness about anti-history education bills and the importance of teaching truthfully about racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, and other forms of oppression in U.S. history. The event in Georgia will include a walking tour and book reading. Ten teachers will receive free copies of That Flag, a picture book about the Confederate flag.
WHO: Local organizations include: Stone Mountain Action Coalition and Community Books of Stone Mountain.
WHEN: June 10, 2023, 10:00 AM.
WHERE: Stone Mountain, Georgia (largest Confederate Memorial).
WHY: Last year Georgia passed the Protect Students First Act joining the increasing number of states that restrict educators from teaching the truth about structural racism in U.S. history and a wide range of other issues deemed “divisive concepts.” This law attempted to silence discussions on oppression. Combined with the Parental Bill of Rights that allows parents to request the removal of books and other resources from school libraries and classrooms, many teachers and administrators have avoided teaching truthfully about racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, and other forms of oppression in U.S. history.
Yet this censorship not only occurs in Georgia's schools. Georgia law protects all Confederate monuments and the government uses taxes to support the largest Confederate monument in the world. Similarly, thousands of students have to attend one of the 45 schools still named after a man who fought for enslavement. The government's support for monuments comes at the cost of not holding up individuals that represent the values of Georgians. Part of the event will highlight how Shermantown, the adjacent Black community, and Stone Mountain City Council and Mayor are working to shift the focus from the Confederacy to the countless Black heroes who served the Stone Mountain Community.
Further details about the Teach Truth Day of Action and the full list of coordinators and co-Sponsors can be found at teachtruthaction.org
About the Stone Mountain Action Coalition
The Stone Mountain Action Coalition is an advocacy network of concerned citizens, political leaders, community organizations, faith-based groups and businesses who are dedicated to supporting constructive solutions and ideas that reflect a new, shared vision for the Stone Mountain Park. The Coalition is advocating for short and long-term changes to help build a path forward by developing a community-driven approach to transform the park into a more inclusive, and economically sustainable destination.
For more information visit: www.stonemountainaction.org or www.facebook.com/StoneMountainAction