International protests in response to the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Tony McDade show the vast reach and profound importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. These resources can help you talk with students about the historical context and mission behind Black Lives Matter and work toward making your school a more affirming, safer space for Black students.
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.
As we grapple with the impact of violence following shootings in Atlanta and Boulder—and ongoing stressors surrounding the pandemic—it’s important to be mindful of students’ mental health needs and our own. Share resources like the Crisis Text Line with students, some of whom may need immediate support amidst a crisis. And use these webinars to help you respond to trauma, normalize talking about mental health and continue practicing good self-care.
Current events may be hard to grapple with as multiple historically Black colleges and universities faced bomb threats, Minneapolis police fatally shot Amir Locke, and many states and districts continue to ban teaching inclusive books and talking about race. Amidst these aggressions, we want to remind Black educators to practice self-care—and all educators to elevate the importance of Black students’ experiences and their mental health. These resources can help.
