In a calculated move that echoes the darkest and bloodiest chapters of our history, Congress has introduced a bill to abolish the Department of Education. This proposal, if passed, would dismantle a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to educational equity and justice. As an educator and activist, I am compelled to speak out against this regressive legislation, which threatens to undermine decades of progress in civil rights and exacerbate the systemic inequities that continue to plague marginalized communities, particularly Black America.
The concept of “drapetomania,” a term historically used to pathologize the desire for freedom among enslaved Africans, serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which oppressive systems will go to maintain control. Coined in 1851 by American physician Samuel A. Cartwright, drapetomania was described as a mental illness that caused enslaved Africans to flee captivity. Cartwright’s pseudoscientific theory suggested that only those suffering from this supposed illness would want to escape slavery, as he believed slavery was an improvement upon their lives. This notion was part of the broader edifice of scientific racism used to justify and perpetuate the institution of bigotry and slavery.
The abolition of slavery in 1865 could have been a monumental step forward, yet it did not eradicate the vestiges of this brutal institution. The 13th Amendment, while abolishing slavery, left a loophole that has forever been exploited to perpetuate racial injustice through mass incarceration, forced labor and now education. This unfinished business of abolition is a critical context for understanding the current attack on educational equity.
The introduction of this bill is not just an administrative change; it is a direct assault on the civil rights legislation that has sought to level the playing field for marginalized communities. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent legislation were hard-won victories that aimed to dismantle institutional racism and provide equal opportunities for all. By abolishing the Department of Education, we risk reversing these gains and entrenching the disparities that civil rights activists have fought so tirelessly to overcome.
Education was once a fundamental right and a powerful tool for social mobility. For marginalized communities, access to quality education has always been a critical pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving economic stability. The Department of Education has played a pivotal role in enforcing desegregation, supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and ensuring that federal funding reaches schools serving low-income students. Eliminating this department would disproportionately harm Black students and other marginalized groups, setting back the progress we have made toward educational equity.
Moreover, this bill represents a broader trend of reinforcing marginalized communities and eroding public institutions that serve the common good. It is part of a larger agenda to perpetuate white supremacy and privatize education, which often leads to increased segregation and inequality. We must recognize this for what it is: a calculated and racist attempt to roll back the clock on civil rights and undermine the foundations of our democracy.
As we continue to grapple with the legacy of slavery and systemic racism, it is imperative that we defend and strengthen the institutions that promote justice and equality. Abolishing the Department of Education would be a step in the wrong direction, one that would have devastating consequences for marginalized communities and the nation as a whole.
We must unite to oppose this bill and champion leaders and policies that promote educational equity and justice for all. As Audre Lorde powerfully stated, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” We must stand in solidarity to combat domestic terrorism, holding accountable those who act under the guise of tradition and patriotism. Our future depends on it.