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The official theme of Black History Month 2020 is “African Americans and the Vote.” Black changemakers and activists have been fighting for equal rights since before our nation began. This week, we’ll be sharing resources on the history of Black civic engagement and the continuing fight for full equality under the law.

“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.

A video of a boy turned away at the schoolhouse door because of his hair went viral. But this isn't an isolated case. These resources explain the bias behind certain hair and dress code policies, and hopefully inspire you to see this new school year as an opportunity to stand up for your students' right to be themselves—inside and out.

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.

June 15 marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Plyler v. Doe. The court ruled in 1982 that schools could not deny students a public education based on their citizenship status. Use these resources, including SPLC’s new guide and pamphlets for advocating for immigrant students and emerging English speakers, to ensure your school is doing right by students and families.

Engaging in action to make positive change in our communities is the next step beyond learning about voting rights and civic responsibilities. When young people recognize the possibilities of power and engagement, they can become change agents in their communities. These LFJ resources for young people provide tips for becoming involved and encouraging friends and family to vote. 

On Sunday, February 17, educators and immigrant rights advocates, organized by Teachers Against Child Detention, are hosting a Teach-In for Freedom in El Paso, Texas. Use this edition of The Moment to learn about how you can support their work to end child immigrant detention—and how to include your students in these efforts from your own school or classroom.