Black people have been central to the development of democracy in the United States. From the abolition of slavery to the hard-won victories of the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for Black liberation has not only advanced the cause of justice—it has fundamentally shaped the Constitution itself. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments—cornerstones of civil rights—are the enduring legacy of this fight for freedom, equality, and citizenship.

Today, the eruption of ICE raids, the eradication of DEI initiatives, and the dismantling of the Department of Education amount to an all-out assault on these hard-won rights. Unprecedented in many respects, this is the latest chapter in a long history of reactionary racism at every level of government. What these attacks share in common is a concerted effort to eviscerate the protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

In this timely and urgent lecture series, movement lawyer Ewuare Osayande provides a critical overview of this protracted struggle. Join us for a powerful conversation that connects the past, confronts the present, and charts a path toward a truly democratic future.

Ewuare Osayande is a lawyer, racial justice activist and author of several books. A former adjunct professor of African American Studies at Rutgers University, his books include Whose America? and Commemorating King: Speeches Honoring the Civil Rights Movement. His latest book is entitled Our Breath is the Whisper of Our Ancestors' Defiance. He is the 2024 recipient of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law's Richard H. Semsker Prize for Civil Rights Law.