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The Anti-Truth Movement in Context: Rethinking the Fight for Truth and Inclusive Education

Abstract

The right to access information and freely express oneself is among the cornerstones of our democracy and Black political power. The racial justice uprisings of 2020 saw an expansion of Black political participation and power, as millions of Black Americans and allies protested police murders, advocated for equitable healthcare and economic policies, and demanded more inclusive curricula in schools and universities. This expansion of power was met with a concerted backlash that followed a recurring cycle of racial progress and retrenchment dating back to Reconstruction. This Article will discuss that backlash, describe how anti-truth efforts at the state and local level have eroded Black political power in K-12 and higher education, and assess strategies for fighting back.