Myles Horton And The Highlander Center Vision For Social Justice

When it comes to the fight for social justice in America, Myles Horton and The Highlander Center stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Myles Horton was a visionary educator and activist who dedicated his life to empowering marginalized communities and fighting for equality. His work at The Highlander Center, an educational and research institution, has had a profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement and continues to inspire generations of activists.

The Life and Legacy of Myles Horton

Myles Horton was born in 1905 in a rural community in Tennessee. Growing up in the midst of poverty, he witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by working-class families and communities. This ignited a desire within him to fight for a fair and just society.

Education in Black and White: Myles Horton and the Highlander Center's Vision for Social Justice

by Stephen Preskill (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4605 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Horton understood the power of education as a tool for social change. He believed that by providing people with the knowledge and skills to advocate for their rights, they could challenge systemic oppression and create a more inclusive society. Inspired by this belief, Horton co-founded The Highlander Folk School in 1932, which later became The Highlander Research and Education Center.

The Highlander Center and Its Vision

The Highlander Center was established with the goal of empowering individuals and communities through education, organizing, and activism. Its vision was to create a space where people from diverse backgrounds could come together, learn from one another, and develop strategies to address social, economic, and political inequalities.

The center became a hub for grassroots organizing and played a significant role in various social justice movements, including the Civil Rights Movement, the labor movement, and the environmental justice movement. Its workshops and trainings focused on topics such as racial equality, labor rights, women's rights, and environmental sustainability.

One of the core principles of The Highlander Center was the belief in the power of solidarity. Horton believed that by bringing people together and fostering dialogue, individuals could find common ground and work towards common goals. Through its programs, The Highlander Center aimed to build bridges between different communities and foster a sense of collective empowerment.

The Impact of The Highlander Center

The Highlander Center played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. It provided a safe haven for activists and organizers, offering them a space to strategize and plan their actions. The center also hosted a series of influential workshops, including the 1955 "Workshop on the People's College," which brought together key figures such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and James Bevel.

Furthermore, The Highlander Center was instrumental in promoting cultural awareness and celebrating diversity. It recognized the importance of embracing different cultures and perspectives in the fight for justice. The center's commitment to inclusivity created an environment where everyone felt valued and represented.

The Highlander Center's impact extended beyond the Civil Rights Movement. It supported labor unions in organizing campaigns and provided training for activists fighting for workers' rights. The center also played a crucial role in the environmental justice movement, highlighting the disproportionate impact of pollution and toxic waste on marginalized communities.

Continuing the Legacy of Myles Horton

Myles Horton passed away in 1990, but his vision for social justice and The Highlander Center's work continues to inspire generations of activists. Today, The Highlander Center carries on its mission of empowering marginalized communities and fostering social change.

The center continues to offer workshops and trainings on various issues, including racial justice, economic equality, and climate justice. It provides a platform for dialogue and collaboration, connecting activists and organizers from different backgrounds.

To honor Myles Horton's legacy, it is important that we continue advocating for social justice and fighting against systemic oppression. We must support organizations like The Highlander Center that strive for a more equitable and inclusive society.

Myles Horton and The Highlander Center's vision for social justice serves as a reminder that change is possible and that collective action can make a difference. By following in their footsteps, we can work towards creating a more fair and just world for all.

Sources:
1. Highlander Research and Education Center
2. The Highlander Research and Education Center and the Power of Solidarity
3. Maintaining the Legacy of Social Justice
4. Highlander Folk School and Martin Luther King Jr.

Education in Black and White: Myles Horton and the Highlander Center's Vision for Social Justice

by Stephen Preskill (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4605 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

How Myles Horton and the Highlander Folk School catalyzed social justice and democratic education
 

For too long, the story of life-changing teacher and activist Myles Horton has escaped the public spotlight. An inspiring and humble leader whose work influenced the civil rights movement, Horton helped thousands of marginalized people gain greater control over their lives. Born and raised in early twentieth-century Tennessee, Horton was appalled by the disrespect and discrimination that was heaped on poor people—both black and white—throughout Appalachia. He resolved to create a place that would be available to all, where regular people could talk, learn from one another, and get to the heart of issues of class and race, and right and wrong. And so in 1932, Horton cofounded the Highlander Folk School, smack in the middle of Tennessee.

The first biography of Myles Horton in twenty-five years, Education in Black and White focuses on the educational theories and strategies he first developed at Highlander to serve the interests of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. His personal vision keenly influenced everyone from Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., to Eleanor Roosevelt and Congressman John Lewis. Stephen Preskill chronicles how Horton gained influence as an advocate for organized labor, an activist for civil rights, a supporter of Appalachian self-empowerment, an architect of an international popular-education network, and a champion for direct democracy, showing how the example Horton set remains education’s best hope for today.