by Denise Forte
As the United States continues commemorating its 250th anniversary, Americans have an opportunity not only to celebrate the nation’s history, but also to reflect on the promises that remain unfulfilled. This milestone should inspire us to renew our commitment to ensuring that the nation’s founding ideals extend to every American—not just a privileged few.
I believe in the hope and vision of American democracy and in this country’s ability to expand democratic principles to every person living within its borders. I see the beauty of those ideals every time an educator teaches the honest history of the United States, grounded in truth, diversity and inclusion; when a student sees themselves reflected in our nation’s story; and when a young person’s future is determined by opportunity rather than race, background or wealth.
Our founding declaration was so powerful that during the American Revolution, James Forten (a young Black sailor serving in the Continental Navy) refused to sail under the British flag after his capture. Instead, he chose imprisonment aboard a British prison ship, where disease and death were rampant. Forten understood that the Declaration of Independence could not be limited to White, land-owning men, and he was willing to risk his life to ensure its promise applied to everyone.
Generations of Americans who followed Forten have continued that fight. Yet today, some of our nation’s institutions appear committed to reversing decades of progress that expanded equal rights across racial and economic lines. The current administration has promoted what it calls “patriotic education,” which critics argue presents an incomplete version of American history while limiting discussions about race, inequality and diversity in public schools.
The concerns extend beyond the executive branch. In the recent Supreme Court case ‘Louisiana v. Callais,’ the Court significantly narrowed protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The consequences extend well beyond congressional elections. Congressional maps influence state legislatures, county commissions, school boards, attendance boundaries and funding priorities. When representation is diluted at the federal level, the effects ripple through every level of government, particularly public education.
Redistricting is not simply about who represents a district in Washington. It is also about which communities have a meaningful voice when decisions are made about school funding, educational opportunities and public resources.
Communities of color stand to lose political influence that has historically helped secure investments in public schools serving underserved students. The result could be fewer educational resources, weaker civil rights protections and diminished opportunities for future generations.
History offers a cautionary lesson. Following the Civil War, Black leaders helped expand educational opportunity throughout the South. Black literacy rates increased dramatically during Reconstruction, creating new economic opportunities and stronger communities. But those gains were systematically rolled back as Reconstruction ended, voting rights were restricted, and public education for Black communities received little support. The Supreme Court’s 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson further entrenched segregation and inequality for generations.
Today’s challenges may differ in form, but many of the underlying tactics remain familiar: reducing political representation, weakening voting protections and shifting public investments away from historically underserved communities.
Legislators determine education funding, establish policy priorities and shape the future of public schools. When Black and Latino communities lose meaningful political representation, the schools serving those communities risk losing the resources necessary for students to succeed. The consequences can include declining academic outcomes, fewer opportunities for college and career readiness, and widening educational disparities.
It took nearly a century after the Civil War for Congress to enact the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Yet many of those protections have been weakened in just a few decades. History reminds us that progress can be undone far more quickly than it is achieved.
As America marks its 250th anniversary throughout this year, we must recommit ourselves to protecting voting rights, strengthening public education and ensuring that every child (regardless of race or ZIP code) has access to an excellent education. Preserving democracy means preserving every student’s opportunity to learn, thrive and participate fully in the nation’s future.
