An Intersectional Lesson From Reconstruction

Anti-Blackness is pervasive and has material consequences for all people, including and especially Black children whose presence is often overlooked—and, ironically, villainized—in favor of all things that uphold white supremacy. These LFJ resources offer specific actions educators, parents, caregivers and communities can take to insist upon the well-being of Black children.
This year, the Fourth of July arrives amid protests against racism and police brutality toward Black Americans and a focus on the role white supremacy has always played in the United States. As these resources show, this holiday and its symbols are tied to a long tradition of protest and demands that our nation make good on its promise of freedom for all.
January 6 marks the first anniversary of a violent, primarily white mob storming the U.S. Capitol. Rooted in misinformation, the insurrection didn’t exist in a vacuum—and the ramifications of the attack are ongoing. These LFJ resources can help you have critical conversations with your students about the insurrection and teach young people digital literacy skills to stop the spread of more misinformation.
This week, we were disappointed to see wide circulation of the videos showing Ahmaud Arbery's and Sean Reed's shooting deaths. Educators have a responsibility to engage with students about this violence against Black men—and the white supremacist systems that allow it to continue. But they must do so without re-traumatizing Black students and with extra care for their mental health. These resources can help.
Our Fall issue has something for everyone. Whether you want to take action in support of undocumented students and families, update your understanding of white privilege, learn about a new lynching memorial’s haunting history lesson, or help your students identify as voters from a young age, these stories offer the background you need to get informed and involved in the issues that affect your students’ lives.
Young people aren't alone in seeking opportunities to learn honest history, and the classroom isn't the only location where such education can take place. In various community spaces—including virtual ones—many adults are also willing to do the work reckoning with our nation’s history of anti-Blackness and white supremacy, recognizing that past in the present and finding liberatory ways forward. These LFJ resources highlight possibilities for self-reflection and ongoing learning.