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Textbooks reflect dominant social structures—including biases and the lack of representation of people who are historically relegated to the margins. Educators are looking for ways to use and expand on textbook content to teach a more inclusive and honest history. These LFJ resources provide some suggestions for how to make that happen. 

Young people deserve to learn honest history—history that is accurate, comprehensive and inclusive of perspectives beyond traditional, dominant narratives. Our newest resource guide, Advocating for Teaching Honest History: What Educators Can Do, offers concrete tools for educators seeking to ensure the right of future generations to an accurate accounting of our nation’s history.

The relaunch of the Teaching Hard History podcast series reminds us that discussing the history of slavery in the United States in age-appropriate ways can help young people understand how that history influences life today. Slavery is the institution that made racism a part of our nation’s foundation, and the legacy of slavery is present in many current systems that disproportionately affect Black children and families. If we are to build a more positive future together, learning this history is essential for healing and reconciliation. 

It’s imperative to clarify the context within which the massacre in Buffalo, New York, took place. Understanding the long history of anti-Black violence in the United States can help us connect the past to the present and find a different way forward. These LFJ resources can help.

Education censorship and discriminatory book bans—like the policies pushed by politicians in Florida—are undemocratic and threaten children’s well-being and right to learn. As students head back to school, let us all commit to supporting honest history and inclusive curricula. These LFJ resources support educators in teaching truth and parents and caregivers in advocating for inclusive education.

“The civil rights movement offers a blueprint for creating meaningful social change,” writes Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Ph.D. Making connections for young people between past movements and present circumstances is imperative, as is having meaningful support in place for honest conversations that can sometimes be difficult. These LFJ resources can help.