What does it mean to outlast backlash?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Danielle Wingfield—legal historian, law professor, and public education advocate—whose work sits at the intersection of history, civil rights, democracy, and family. Together, we trace the long arc of resistance to public education, from enslavement and segregation to today’s fights over curriculum, parental rights, and school privatization.

Dr. Wingfield helps us see that what feels overwhelming right now isn’t new—it’s cyclical. And that clarity matters. When we understand the playbook, we can respond with intention instead of panic.

We talk about:

The history of massive resistance—and why today’s attacks on public education are part of a much longer project
How curriculum control, “parental rights,” and privatization have been used before to maintain racial hierarchy
Why public schools remain essential to democracy—and why they’re being targeted so aggressively
What “home place” looks like: community care, shared responsibility, mutual aid, and kinship beyond bloodlines
Why progress always brings backlash—and why staying power is how movements win

This conversation is both grounding and galvanizing. It reminds us that we don’t have to solve everything—but we dohave to hold our link in the chain.

Because when we know our history, we’re harder to divide.

And when we stay together long enough, we change what’s possible.

LINKS:

The Resurgence of Massive Resistance - Washington and Lee Law Journal
Teachers in the Movement - Oral history project
First Class Project - documentary series
Homeplace (A Site of Resistance) - bell hooks
Henry L. Marsh III - First Black mayor of Richmond, VA & civil rights attorney
Oliver W. Hill - Civil rights attorney
Barbara Rose Johns

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The Integrated Schools Podcast was created by Courtney Mykytyn and Andrew Lefkowits.

This episode was produced by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. It was edited, and mixed by Andrew Lefkowits.

Music by Kevin Casey.

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Staying Power with Danielle Wingfield