Mariposas

We join you in mourning those lost to violence this weekend. Like many of you, we’re feeling angry, exhausted and heartbroken. We take some solace in offering these resources for supporting your students and communities and for doing what you can to fight hate before it turns violent. After losses like these, we know we must move forward. But we refuse to move on.
Black History Month begins February 1! And while we know anti-racist educators teach Black history year-round, we hope these resources will help you consider how you're framing the month this particular year. Learn more about the need for—and history behind—Black History Month and get support for teaching Black history in a way that moves beyond trauma and embraces liberation and resistance.
With so many significant issues in the balance, it's imperative that we pay attention to the upcoming midterm elections, particularly on the local level. Young people, families and communities need to know how powerful their votes are in our democracy. These LFJ resources can help you support your students—and all the young people in your life—in learning about the voting process and ongoing civic responsibility.
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.
Last week, a 6-year-old black girl and another unidentified 6-year-old child were arrested at their Florida school. The girl was handcuffed and taken to a juvenile detention center. Her fingerprints and mugshot were taken, and she was charged with battery. No child deserves such treatment—and no school should excuse it. Here, we share resources for creating and supporting schools where all children feel safe to learn and grow.
Yesterday, students were pulled from their first day of classes to say goodbye to undocumented parents and guardians arrested by ICE. Our thoughts are with educators and families across Mississippi and with those dealing with this trauma in the aftermath of anti-immigrant violence in El Paso. Yesterday’s raid was the largest single-state raid in U.S. history, but we know that these raids will continue. We hope these resources help you support your students and their families.