Author and activist Bettina Love speaks in Winston-Salem about injustices in education

Author Bettina Love visited Winston-Salem Tuesday evening to talk about the impacts of decades-long education reforms on Black students. 

Love published her book, “Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal,” last year. 

At the event on Tuesday, she spoke about changes to education policies over the last 40 years — specifically an increase in punishment and a decrease in funding, which she says all contribute to a narrative of failing schools. 

Love says that’s still happening, and referenced the rise in book bans and legislation limiting teaching on race and sexuality.  

“We're watching a small group of people change the very course of public education for all of our children," Love said. "That's why we have to get involved because we actually have the numbers. We say 'Power to the People' for a reason.”

For Love, the solution is to fight for more equitable systems and structures, but also for reparations. 

The event was organized by Equity Forsyth, a coalition of community partners including local universities, nonprofits and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.