January 31, 2023

Discussing Race, Racism and Police Violence

As our country grapples with yet another horrifying, high-profile example of police brutality, we know that many parents, caregivers, educators and communities are searching for support.

LFJ has compiled a collection of resources intended to help spur much-needed discussion around implicit bias and systemic racism. Our country’s system of policing has a history of violence that disproportionately steals the lives of Black, Indigenous and other people of color along with individuals with disabilities. And despite years of protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, efforts for police reforms and ongoing cries for justice, we continue to witness and mourn people killed and brutalized by police.

We hope that these resources will do more than just prompt conversation. We hope they lead to action, inspiring us all to enact the changes necessary to create a more just society.
Illustration of a diverse group of children exiting a school bus and being greeted by adults.

Black Lives Matter at School, Next Week and Every Week

Monday, February 6, is the first day of this year's Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action—a time for schools across the country to work in solidarity in pursuit of social and educational equity for their Black students. This is an ideal time to revisit this LFJ article about the origins and purpose of this nationwide demonstration for justice in the classroom.
Black Lives Matter at School. Black Lives Matter at School is a national coalition organizing in racial justice in education.

Visit Black Lives Matter at School to Learn More

Black Lives Matter at School is a movement that originated in Seattle in 2016, bringing the principles of BLM to the classroom and garnering national attention. Today, BLM at School is a coalition that spans the country, inspiring schools and communities all over to participate in an annual week of action held in February each year. Learn more about the movement—and how you can contribute—here.

Resource Spotlight

Professional Development
"This was the best professional development I have received in the last decade. I can implement what I have learned immediately into my classroom and my students will benefit tremendously." —Minneapolis workshop participant

Join LFJ In-person for PD Workshops on February 1 and 2 in Atlanta

This two-day workshop helps educators create impactful and empathy-building learning experiences for students learning about slavery and United States history. Attendees will have opportunities to address gaps in their curriculum and instruction and create an action plan for advocacy in their community.

Check Out What We’re Reading

“[I]n Memphis the grief and oppressiveness resulting from those systemic patterns [of police violence] run especially deep — lingering and reverberating, like the rap, soul, blues and rock ’n’ roll music this city has given the world.” —The New York Times

“In an era when Saturday morning TV was dominated by cereal ads and ‘wall-to-wall monster cartoons,’ in the words of Action for Children’s Television’s founder, the three-minute ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ educational cartoons provided a welcome respite to parents.” —The Washington Post

“Nothing about the conditions of my work as a classroom teacher allowed me the time or space to engage with education policy. This needs to change.” —Education Week
Learning for Justice, Issue 3 | Fall 2022. New fall issue — out now!
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