The Fourth of July is a quintessentially American holiday, but the celebrated right to liberty has never applied to every American. These resources can help you consider how July 4th fits into the complex relationship between the United States and its citizens of color and how you can bring this history and an important message to your diverse classrooms: There is no template for Americanness, and there never should have been.
July is Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month. We know school communities and policies that prioritize mental health literacy can create safer spaces where all young people can thrive—especially BIPOC students, who face disparities in mental health care. We hope you’ll commit to reducing stigma and advocating for policy change in your school, this month and year-round.
At this critical moment in K-12 education, we’re thrilled to introduce the inaugural issue of Learning for Justice magazine. Our Fall 2021 issue highlights key lessons learned from this past year—lessons that the education community can carry forward to help create safe and inclusive learning spaces. Be inspired by messages of hope, solidarity and activism that can aid in the transformational work needed to create the just future that all students deserve.