The 2022 South Carolina legislative session has just begun. Voting reform, critical race theory, redistricting, the loosening of gun restrictions, access to healthcare (or the lack thereof), challenges to trans rights, and the relentless assault on women’s reproductive rights are all expected to be among the losses this year. While we always need to protest injustice and inequality, we also need to understand that we cannot vote our way out of the currently rigged system; we must organize our way out. This calls for the effective and strategic citizenship — expressly designed for South Carolina’s problems — that we teach in the Modjeska School. With that, we are pleased to announce that enrollment for the 2022 session of the Modjeska Simkins School for Human Rights is officially open.
The session will be held on Zoom, and runs from Feb. 20 through June 27, with regular classes each Monday night and graduation scheduled for July 2. The curriculum includes a people’s history of South Carolina designed to provide a framework for understanding our current political, economic, and social conditions, to inspire and caution us, and to inform and guide our organizing efforts. Our intent is to graduate effective citizens who can effectuate radical change in unjust systems and improve life in South Carolina. Tuition is $350, and some scholarship assistance is available.
Two students from our 2021 session gave their perspectives on what the school offered them:
“As the lies and the assault on truth continue, the Modjeska School is a breath of fresh air. It is an oasis of truth in a steadily expanding desert of lies. It provides a correction of the lies that have been told in schools for generations as well as a firewall against the legislated lies being told today. Everyone should take this course.” Dr. Burnett Gallman
“The Modjeska School provides like-minded South Carolinians focused on community activism a place to learn their history and resistance tactics.” Amber Pelham
As Modjeska Simkins herself wrote in 1946, “It must be conceded that at this very hour more so than at any time in the history of this nation, there is urgent need for the development of progressive thinkers to become the leaders of tomorrow.” Whether you’re a seasoned revolutionary, a new organizer, or simply a concerned citizen, we invite you (or someone you think would be a good fit) to apply.
Click HERE for details on the 2022 class schedule and topics. Several Sunday sessions are open to the public.
