Abstract
Religious beliefs and the use of race to create a narrative of inferiority plague education, civil rights, and citizenship policy development and implementation, causing harm to Black citizens. Public education is the bedrock of a democratic society. Civil rights and the ability to exercise those rights within a country are vital elements of citizenship. A well-educated populace provides a country's position and power. Equitable education, civil rights, and the vestiges of full citizenship in the U.S. for Black people have been a constant battle. This fight has been at the forefront of the demands for this nation since Reconstruction. Black social activists understood the importance of education, civil rights, citizenship, and a person's ability to learn and engage in decision-making via voting and policy by providing opportunities for a better life for future generations. One way to ensure access to education, civil rights, and citizenship is through policy development. Policy impacts every area of a person's life. Education policy impacts a child's ability to learn and grow in a safe environment. Civil rights policy provides opportunities for people to live safely and have their needs met, as well as the right to use their rights and voice in decision-making at the local, state, and federal levels of government. At the heart of the challenge for Black activists fighting for the right for Black people to have access to an equitable education, civil rights, and citizenship are the religious and racial divides. This study explores Black activists' strategies and practices, their faith's role in developing education, civil rights, and citizenship policy, their challenges, and what might be learned to create new strategies for a more equitable blueprint today.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
African Americans—Politics and government; African American political activists; Activism—Religious aspects
Date of Award
2024
School Affiliation
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Department/Program
Education
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate
Faculty Advisor
Gabriella Miramontes
Recommended Citation
Green, Sharletta Michelle, "Anchored in faith, soaked in blood: Black social activists strategies for developing equitable policy in education, civil rights, and citizenship" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1553.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/1553