Black Legislative & Community Knowledge

Following deadly protests in Iran that erupted over economic hardship and evolved into calls to end the Islamic Republic, Iranians both inside and outside the country are deeply divided over whether the United States should intervene militarily. Death toll estimates vary wildly, ranging from over 3,000 acknowledged by Iranian authorities to potentially 25,000 according to human rights organizations, while approximately 40,000 people have reportedly been arrested amid internet blackouts and ongoing repression. Some Iranian expatriates and activists believe foreign intervention is necessary because internal protests have repeatedly failed and been met with lethal force, while others fear that external military action could harm their loved ones and argue that meaningful regime change must come from within through mass mobilization. President Trump has expressed support for protesters and recently held talks with Iranian officials, though the Iranian diaspora remains skeptical that any form of intervention could deliver the dignity, freedom, and economic security that protesters ultimately seek.

President Donald Trump shared a social media video that contained a racist depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama portrayed as apes, though he claims he only watched the beginning and didn't see the offensive content before a staffer posted it. The 62-second video, which primarily focused on debunked voter fraud allegations, sparked widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, with Senator Tim Scott calling it the most racist content from the White House. Initially, the White House defended the post as an internet meme and dismissed criticism as "fake outrage," but later removed it and blamed a staff member for the error. The video also depicted other prominent Democrats as animals and has reignited criticism of Trump's history of racist attacks against Obama, including previous "birther" conspiracy theories.

As the United States marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, civil rights advocates and educators face significant challenges from the Trump administration's efforts to curtail Black history education, including dismantling exhibits at national parks and attacking diversity initiatives. Despite this resistance, historians, activists, and organizations are responding with renewed energy through expanded educational programs, new publications including a graphic novel about Juneteenth advocate Opal Lee, and curriculum initiatives reaching over 150 teachers nationwide. The current moment echoes the original vision of Carter G. Woodson, who founded Negro History Week in 1926 as an alternative educational space when formal institutions dismissed Black contributions to American history. Activists view the contemporary backlash as part of a recurring generational pattern and remain committed to preserving and teaching Black history through both formal and informal networks.

Across the United States, schools are implementing increasingly strict cellphone restrictions, with 29 states passing laws since 2023 requiring K-12 public schools to ban or severely limit student phone use on campus. Ohio serves as a notable case study, progressing from partial bans in 2024 to requiring complete school-day phone prohibitions by 2026, with enforcement methods including lockable pouches and storage bins. Research on Ohio schools shows positive outcomes including increased face-to-face interaction and reduced digital distractions among students, though surveyed high school students expressed concerns about emergency accessibility and loss of autonomy. While principals report improved student engagement and fewer conflicts, students argue they need to develop self-discipline with technology and require phone access for practical tasks like college applications. The article suggests that successful phone policies should incorporate student input and provide accommodations for legitimate needs like emergency communication and authentication requirements.

Child care providers in Ypsilanti, Michigan, are developing emergency protocols to protect children and families amid increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in their community. Providers like Leysi Palacio-Mora are creating evacuation plans and procedures for identifying ICE agents, responding to heightened anxiety among parents following detentions near schools and child care facilities. While ICE officials deny targeting schools and bus stops, and some rumored incidents proved false, the fear among immigrant families remains widespread, particularly after federal protections for sensitive locations like schools and churches were removed in January 2025. The concern has intensified following violent ICE incidents in other states, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, prompting child care centers across the area to share resources and establish step-by-step response plans. Providers report that parents are coming to drop-off in tears, worried about potential ICE presence, while some families whose members were detained have already left the country.

Four Michigan gubernatorial candidates—Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson, Republican Mike Cox, and Independent Mike Duggan—presented their education platforms at a forum hosted by the Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union. The candidates offered contrasting visions, with Benson proposing increased teacher compensation and Swanson advocating for universal school meals and preschool, while Cox emphasized accountability measures and private school scholarships through federal tax credits. The forum also addressed immigration enforcement in schools, with candidates disagreeing on how to handle ICE presence in educational settings. The event highlighted deep divisions over teacher pay, curriculum control, and approaches to improving Michigan's declining academic performance. # Key Takeaways