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This week, the power of words is illustrated in two celebrations: the beginning of National Poetry Month and Maya Angelou's birthday. Angelou's life, words and activism offer a unique opportunity to show students how writing is shaped by identity and experience, and the power words can bring. These resources can help you make that introduction and inspire the poets, thinkers and activists in your school—so their words, too, can sing.

Last week, a 7-year-old black boy came home from school with a realistic-looking gunshot wound painted on his forehead—by his drama teacher. The image understandably alarmed his mother. And it reminds us of the harm educators inflict when they insist they "don't see race." We hope you'll read and share these recommendations for protecting, respecting and celebrating the identities of your black students.

During this winter break, we hope you’ll take extra time to check in with yourself. We are especially proud of your work this year amidst all that is happening around you. Watch this webinar as a reminder of the importance of educator self-care. And take some time to check out recent books we’re reading and films we’re watching that affirm identities, celebrate diversity and highlight justice.

Our Summer magazine is here! And, as usual, it's packed with stories, resources and strategies for social justice educators like you. Here, we're spotlighting three feature stories about the innovative ways educators are using online spaces: to build community, to reflect on their own identities and to connect students with stories they might not hear elsewhere. We hope you enjoy them—and the rest of our new issue!

News right now is dominated by rhetoric that casts immigrants as dangerous and is likely leaving Americans of many identities, including some of your students, feeling fearful and angry. Today, consider using these resources to teach your students about the long legacy of mistrust and discrimination immigrants from many countries have endured and how we can all use our voices to resist myths and misinformation.

Reading about and celebrating African and Indigenous histories and cultures can be among the powerful first steps for children to engage with and expand their understanding of the world around them. And discussing commonalities across cultures helps children develop a strong sense of self and identity while recognizing and honoring diversity. To support these conversations and learning experiences, LFJ offers parents, caregivers and educators talking points, activities and book recommendations.

Social justice education is crucial right now to develop the next generation of responsible decision-makers. This week’s resources from the Fall 2023 Learning for Justice magazine explain the importance of educating children early and in age-appropriate ways about their identities and key concepts about race. And they point out the significance of learning about honest history, in the classroom and in communities, as we reckon with the past to build a more just future.

“Disability is the way other people don’t accommodate you or respond to you.”
—Ashley Dalton, Southern Poverty Law Center

Changing the learning environment to be more inclusive—instead of a focus on changing the learner—creates opportunities for accessible education practices that benefit all young people. These LFJ magazine articles explain how, for children to thrive in more inclusive learning environments, social justice and equity movements must include intersecting identities and disability rights.