LIBERTY
Having the freedom to live, act, and express oneself without being controlled by authorities or oppressive rules in society.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
“A piece of freedom is no longer enough for human beings...unlike bread, a slice of liberty does not finish hunger. Freedom is like life. It cannot be had in installments. Freedom is indivisible--we have it all, or we are not free.”
Decades after Martin Luther King’s famous speech during the March on Washington, his words on freedom, justice, and liberty still ring as true today as they did then. Despite that, in 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abbott eliminated the [requirements for Texas schools to teach Martin Luther King Jr’s speech] – a speech that teaches students values like Liberty.
But Martin isn’t the only story about liberty that’s in danger of going missing from classrooms.
JOhn Lewis
Dedicated his life toward fighting for human rights through his commitment to the Civil Rights Movement.
Harriet Tubman
Made over two dozen missions to help slaves escape through the Underground Railroad – the same method she used for her own escape.
Marsha P Johnson
Forthright advocate for gay rights and founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and a key figure in the Stonewall uprising.
Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi
Founding members of #BlackLivesMatter, a movement fighting for both cultural and policy changes, created in response to the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012.
Cynthia Choi + Manjusha Kulkarni + Russell Jeung
Founding members of Stop AAPI Hate – a coalition aiming to end racism and discrimination against the AAPI community by working with other communities of color.