Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal

"Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal" by Dr. Bettina Love, now a New York Times and USA Today bestseller and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, offers a compelling examination of the last forty years of educational reform and its disproportionate impact on Black children. Published on September 12, 2023, this groundbreaking work discusses how policies stemming from Reagan's presidency have systematically targeted Black youth through measures that echo the War on Drugs, including increased policing and unjust school closures. Dr. Love's narrative, reminiscent of Michelle Alexander's approach, not only critiques these punitive reforms but also proposes a bold framework for reparations and educational transformation. Essential reading for college students studying education equity and racial justice, this book prompts a critical reflection on how society can rectify the deep-seated racial disparities in American education.