Public schools are not inherently democratic or equitable simply by existing. Integration is not about perfection or martyrdom; it’s an ongoing practice of participation, accountability, and shared responsibility. Public schools can help sustain democracy—but only when people actively choose to invest, engage, and fight for them together.
Integration Is a Practice: Reflections From Our In-Person Gathering
A couple days ago, Integrated Schools posted a TikTok about “redshirting” — the practice of holding kids back a year so they’re the oldest in their kindergarten class — and it blew up. Hundreds of comments poured in. Some agreed. Some disagreed loudly. And some made points worth sitting with. We’ve been in the thick of these conversations for years, but seeing all the attention “redshirting” got on TikTok has made us want to dive a little deeper and respond to some of the feedback, and add more context.
Last week, we introduced our #PublicSchoolsSaveDemocracy campaign, and we want to talk a little bit more specifically about why we believe INTEGRATED public schools save democracy.
The challenges of the last few months have left many of us feeling disheartened and uncertain. But one thing is clear: We cannot afford to retreat into silence. We cannot wait for the next election, the next policy shift, or the next “big moment” to make a change. Democracy is a long-term project, and public schools are at the very heart of that work.