The Evolution of Multicultural Education: The CUNY Brooklyn College Story

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 Join us for this discussion on multicultural education as a fundamental human right. As we kick off a new academic year, it's crucial to reflect on the state of education today. From right-wing pushback against critical thinking and comprehensive history to challenges in class size, teacher compensation, and the very foundation of quality public education — our conversation aims to shed light on the progress we've made toward multicultural education and the paths we've taken to get here. 

📚 The Birth of Puerto Rican and Black Studies Programs: In this episode, you’ll learn about the efforts to establish Africana Studies and Puerto Rican Studies Departments at The City University of New York, or CUNY's Brooklyn College. Black, Latino, and working-class white students united to reshape a campus, an educational system, and college curricula — setting the stage for today’s multicultural education and overall educational landscape.

 🎥 Featured Documentary: Making the Impossible Possible Directed by Tami Kashia Gold and Pam Sporn, and distributed by @ThirdWorldNewsreel, this documentary tells the story of this transformative movement for multicultural education. Streaming on TWN On Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/mtipfilm  Educational Screenings: twn.org/film.aspx?rec=1531 

🌟 Meet the Guests:

- Askia Davis: A former Black Panther and one of the "BC 19," Askia was arrested in 1969 for demanding Open Admissions and the establishment of Africana and Puerto Rican Studies at Brooklyn College. He served as Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Harlem and the Bronx. 

- Antonio Nieves: Also a member of the "BC 19," Antonio was a founder of the Puerto Rican and Afro American Institutes at Brooklyn College and has been a pharmacist for 30 years. He currently serves as the Director of Pharmacy for Caribbean Health Outreach. 

- Sonia Nieto: A former Brooklyn College faculty and one of the "BC 44," Sonia was arrested in 1974 during a student takeover. She is the Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy & Culture at the College of Education at UMass, Amherst. Her 1992 book, "Affirming Diversity," is considered a defining work in 20th-century education.

“The desire was to transform education, not just to create departments, not just to open access, but to change the fundamental nature of the institutions. At Brooklyn College in 1968, I would say maybe every day [there] was a demonstration . . .” - Askia Davis 

“These are the same issues that we were fighting for so many years ago . . . Things have improved somewhat, but in other ways, they have gotten worse because of right-wing interests and fear of losing power . . .” - Sonia Nieto 

“You cannot be unwoke . . . If you are unwoke, that means that history will repeat itself and you will be victimized again. We want an education that tells us where we came from and what our contribution to America was.” - Antonio Nieves 

Guests: 

Askia Davis: Former Superintendent of Schools, Harlem, NYC; Former Deputy Regional Superintendent, Bronx, NYC 

Sonia Nieto: Professor Emerita, Language, Literacy & Culture, College of Education UMass, Amherst; Member, National Academy of Education 

Antonio Nieves: Director of Pharmacy, Caribbean Health Outreach; Founder, Puerto Rican Institute & the Afro American Institute, Brooklyn College

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.  They include related episodes, articles, and more.

Music In the Middle:   “Rumba Tobacco y Ron” by Nickodemus featuring Haydee Soul & The Candela Allstars, from his album Soul and Science released on Wonderwheel Recordings..  And additional music included- "In and Out" and "Steppin" by Podington Bear

Clips featured in the podcast from the documentary "Making the Impossible Possible" include the trailer and an additional clip featuring former student activists Dr. Orlando Pile, Askia Davis, and Antonio Nieves recounting the reactions by the police

The Laura Flanders Show Crew:  Laura Flanders, Sabrina Artel, David Neuman, Nat Needham, Rory O'Conner, Janet Hernandez, Sarah Miller and Jeannie Hopper

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ACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel