Bettina L. Love

press release: Public book talk by Dr. Bettina Love author of We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom

"Freedom dreaming is imagining worlds that are just, representing people's full humanity, centering people left on the edge, thriving in solidarity with folx from different identities who have struggled together for justice and knowing that dreams are just around the corner with might of people power." Dr. Bettina Love

Bettina L. Love is an award-winning author and associate professor of educational theory and practice at the University of Georgia. She is the author of the book We Want To Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom (Beacon Press). She passionately, and with resolute and bold inquiry, argues that the U.S. educational system is maintained by and profits from the suffering of children of color. Instead of trying to repair a flawed system, educational reformers offer survival tactics in the forms of test-taking skills, acronyms, grit labs, and character education, which Love calls the educational survival complex.

To dismantle the educational survival complex and to achieve educational freedom--not merely reform--teachers, parents, and community leaders must approach education with the imagination, determination, boldness, and urgency of an abolitionist.

Two groups of local educators, the Black Educators Network of Madison and Educators Actively Working Toward Anti-Racism, have come together to heed Dr. Love’s call for educational freedom. We believe that the work of Dr. Love is the impetus for the change we seek. Our hope is this event will guide us in identifying ways that we can dismantle practices that uphold systems oppressing historically marginalized groups and build systems that are just and equitable. We hope this event will inspire teachers throughout the Madison area to take an active stance in creating conditions for our students to thrive.

Seating will begin at 5:30pm. Book purchases will be in the Gateway before and after the event. This event will begin at 6:30pm.

This event is co-sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, MTI CENTRS, Wisconsin Book Festival, and Madison College. It is through the generosity of our sponsors that we are able to offer this event free. In return the sponsors only ask that you complete both a pre and post survey, which will be emailed direct to you.

Event Accessibility

• Accessible parking is clearly marked and available directly in front of the Mitby Theater.
• On-site American Sign Language interpreter will be present.
• For additional accommodations to attend this event or accessibility questions please contact educatorsworkingtowardar@gmail.com.