Your weekly newsletter from Learning for Justice

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May 4, 2021
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** Teach and Learn About Voting Rights
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As activists across the country push back against policies and legislation restricting the vote, we take time this week to honor those who have come before us in the fight for voting rights. We hope these resources ([link removed]) , all of which celebrate the incredible contributions of the late Congressman John Lewis, help you learn and teach about voting rights—and encourage action for a more accessible democracy for us all.
What Is Cinco de Mayo? // Lauryn Mascareñaz ([link removed])

The Fight for Ethnic Studies // Tina Vasquez ([link removed])

It Was Always About Control // Cory Collins ([link removed])
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Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank You All
While we understand that appreciation isn’t enough, this week we are celebrating the educators in our community. We know that this year, especially, the work of teachers has been exhausting and difficult. We’re so grateful for your continued advocacy for colleagues and students and your continued work for justice in schools and communities. Thank you for all you do ([link removed]) .
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** Children’s Literature and AAPI Identity and History
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In this article ([link removed]) , Dr. Monisha Bajaj identifies common stereotypes that harm AAPI students—and she suggests texts that can be used to counter them. Highlighting books for elementary and middle-grade readers, Bajaj recommends stories educators can use today to celebrate AAPI identity and history with all their students.
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** The Fight to Rename Schools Honoring Confederates
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Schools named after Confederate figures dehumanize Black students and send all students the message that Black suffering isn’t sufficient reason for institutional change. LFJ Senior Writer Coshandra Dillard spoke with young people who attended schools named after Robert E. Lee to learn how they worked for renaming. Read their stories ([link removed]) to find out how to better support student activists.
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** Talking With Students About Transgender Athletes
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In the face of rampant anti-trans legislation and rhetoric, elementary educator Skye Tooley offers tips and resources for discussing gender identity, highlighting trans athletes and taking action to address ongoing injustices against trans people in their latest article ([link removed]) for Learning for Justice.


** Check Out What We’re Reading
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“As an adult reader and a school outreach librarian, I seek out books with Jewish protagonists that are about things other than trauma. Here are some great examples of books for children and teens that feature Jewish people celebrating holidays, fighting dragons, writing books, falling in love, attending fan conventions, and more.” — New York Public Library ([link removed])

“While children’s literature is a powerful way to center the experiences of marginalized communities in the classroom and present the many positive contributions these communities have made, reading a book is just one part of the lesson. Proper introduction of a text, followed by adequate unpacking of the themes and the questions they raise, is essential for engaging in conversations that can lay the foundation for further critical inquiry. The following books offer windows (mirrors for some students) and prisms to discuss and analyze the historic and contemporary experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities at the elementary school level.” — Edutopia ([link removed])

“I’m a 17-year-old Asian American teenager from the heart of Queens, New York and I love my culture. From the regular family gatherings to the bun bo hue my mother makes to the yearly Lunar New Year celebrations, I have pride in my Vietnamese-American household. But my pride is tempered by the fear that my looks will be the reason for my attack the next day.” — Chalkbeat ([link removed])
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Have a comment, question or idea for Learning for Justice? Drop us a line at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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