Students in Southlake, Texas pushed school district officials to do something about racism in the schools. Then came the backlash. We hear what’s really at stake in the battles over Southlake’s schools from current and former students—and why they remain hopeful about the future. And Jack climbs into the time machine to tour some of the not-so-great education backlashes of yore.

Why are the same states that are rolling back democracy also intent on dismantling public education? We assembled an all-star cast to get some answers. Special guests: Derek Black, author of Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy; and Noliwe Rooks, author of Cutting School: Privatization, Segregation, and the End of Public Education.