The Black Lives Matter Movement: A Small Action

Listening and Learning

I have been using these past few months to listen and learn with an open mind.  There are so many things that I have learned, and there continue to be so much more that I will learn.  As an educator, I believe I have a unique platform to reach many young minds and possibly help undo systems that have promoted one set of people in our country over the expense of another set of people.  We need to look into many aspects of this country, however I am passionate about our education system.  We need to look at how education can dismantle the systems that keep Black people down.  

I think it is important that everyone realizes that Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean that other lives don’t matter.  It just means that we as a country/community need to focus our thoughts and conversation on Black Lives right now.  We need to talk about this with friends, family, and most importantly children.  For centuries, Black people have suffered so many injustices, and that is not to say that other groups of people have not. However, Black people have and continue to face injustices and that has to stop.  Black people and their contribution to our nation has been written out of the history books, or at best, glazed over.  Teachers, schools, parents, and communities can change this and promote lessons, discussions, and activities related to issues of inequality that Black people have faced and continue to face. 

Taking Action

The Conscious Kid

After taking the time to listen and learn, I really wanted to do something.  I wanted to take action, so after doing some research, I came across a great organization, The Conscious Kid.  The Conscious Kid is an education, research, and policy organization dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth. Their mission is to disrupt racism in young children, which is something that I can get behind! 

According to a study done by Baron and Banaji in 2006, children start receiving explicit and implicit messages about the meaning of race from birth and they begin to show pro-white/anti-Black bias by age three.  In order to counter this, we need to name and take action against racism as early as possible, which we can do through the power of books! Books teach a variety of lessons and promote discussions.  Learning and discussions that need to be had at an early age. 

BLM Movement Bracelets

In order to take action, I am making bracelets to support the Black Lives Matter movement. The proceeds from the bracelets will go to The Conscious Kid’s Anti-Racist Children’s Book Education Fund.  Children’s books are one of the most influential and practical tools to start conversations about race with children.  The donations will go directly to getting books into classrooms from their list of “41 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance” . We teachers, along with schools are on a tight budget, so this is extremely helpful in getting books to us in order to begin the disruption of oppression!

These specific children’s books focus not only on race and racism, but also on resistance, resilience, and activism.  They focus on taking action.  Not only do children (AND ADULTS) need to know what systematic racism and internalized racism looks like, but they (WE) need to know what can be done about it.  We need to learn AND take action!

If you would like to help me raise money for The Conscious Kid, I am selling Black Lives Matter bracelets to foster learning, discussion, and change.  Each bracelet is $10 and 100% of the proceeds will go to supporting this movement. Complete the order form (below) with your choice of bracelet(s) if you are interested in contributing!

BLM Movement Bracelet Order

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