Their secret meetings began taking place all over the Southern U.S. in the late 1800s. They were crucial members of their local communities, but the group still had to be extremely careful. Who were they?
Many had to support their children. Some had their siblings and elderly parents to consider. If they were caught, they could pay with their lives! But they had one thing in common.
They were public school teachers! Because they held state jobs, they couldn’t officially participate in the Civil Rights movement. Nevertheless, they had first-hand knowledge that would help propel the fight for equality forward. How did they accomplish this?
They formed Black teachers’ associations. They focused on improving education for our children and ensuring they had the resources needed to succeed outside of the classroom. They also transmitted information to northern civil rights lawyers. So were any of them ever caught?
No! They never wrote down anything, and what we know of them today is based on word of mouth. While we won’t see images of the group marching or hear recordings of them giving speeches, we can be sure their secrecy made the movement possible.
There is a role for each of us in the fight for liberation, even behind the scenes. How will you embrace yours?