June 3, 2020

A Call for Help: What We Can Do about Police Brutality & Racism in and out of the Classroom

Dear Teachers,

I wish I was writing to you under literally any other circumstances. I wish this post was about anything else. But last week, George Floyd was brutally killed by police while trying to buy groceries. In March, Breonna Taylor was shot in her own home, unarmed and in bed. In February, Ahmaud Arbery was hunted down while he was jogging. And they’re just the most recent in a long list of unarmed black men and women killed in the last decade.

Before I started Common Curriculum with Scott, I taught 7th and 8th Grade History in Baltimore City. I loved my students dearly, and unfortunately, the events of the last few weeks have reminded me how fragile their world can be. George Floyd was from Minneapolis, but he might as well have been from two blocks from my apartment. My students are mostly in their early 20s by now, and because of that I’ve been asking myself the same question all week: will they ever be truly safe if police forces in this country continue to treat them as if they’re disposable?

So, as a fellow teacher — as someone who taught black children in Baltimore — I’m asking for your help.

I’m asking you for your help not because I have anything special or original to say — I’m sure you’ve heard all of this before — but because there are thousands of teachers using Cc, and our whole team (myself included) feels a duty to engage as many people on this issue as we can. What’s more, our teachers work in every type of school district in the country, serving every type of student and community in the US. When that many teachers from that many different backgrounds come together, they can be a force to be reckoned with.

As teachers, you have the power to help shape the next generation, so they can build a world that’s better than ours. As citizens and voters, we have the power to help change the policies that lead to George Floyd’s death, and you don’t even need to live in a big city, like Minneapolis, to do so.

So, if you have a moment and you want to help, please look at the resources we’ve compiled below. Find a lesson and teach your students about systemic racism. Donate to an organization working to end police violence. Call your state representative and demand legislation to change use-of-force policies where you live. I know I will.

Thank you for teaching and for listening.

In Solidarity,

Robbie, and the rest of the Cc Team

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all resources related to police use-of-force. Instead, we hope that these recommendations give you a simple place to start and that you find what you need to help, whether it’s through the classroom, civic action, or by donating to an organization working on police violence.

Resources to help you take action

Campaign Zero — In my opinion, Campaign Zero is doing some of the best work on actionable, evidence-based policies and legislation that can eliminate police violence. If this problem feels too overwhelming, start with Campaign Zero. They break it down into 10 easy-to-understand policies that you can pressure your state representatives to adopt, regardless of where you live. — Robbie

Use of Force Project — An offshoot of Campaign Zero, the Use of Force Project focuses on pressuring police departments into adopting specific, common-sense reforms — like banning choke-holds or requiring that officers give verbal warnings. Those simple reforms keep both citizens and police officers themselves safe. Click on your city to see how few of them have been adopted where you live, and then call your local leaders to demand more. — Robbie

National Bail Fund Network — A collection of over 60 community bail and bond funds across the country. The National Bail Fund Network is an easy way to make a difference for those who are risking their physical safety to peacefully protest police brutality. If your community is not on here, a quick google search should bring up some local options. — Marika

Black Lives Matter — The original movement that created both Campaign Zero and the Use of Force Project. Click here if you’re interested in starting or joining a chapter or want other resources on how to promote anti-racism beyond just police violence. — Robbie

NAACP Legal Defense Fund — The NAACP LDF has worked for decades to try to transform our nation’s legal system from inside. One of the easiest and best things you can do to try to make our legal system more equitable and fair is to donate here. Though those donations won’t necessarily go toward police brutality per se, basically every case the LDF takes on is designed to meaningfully change legal precedent in an anti-racist direction. — Robbie

Resources for you, the educator

Before we educate others, it’s important to educate ourselves. Here’s a few books we personally recommend:

White Fragility Robin DiAngelo. As a white person, talking about race can be hard. DiAngelo works to help make sense of why we (white people) feel this way and what we can do to change ourselves and our perspective so that we’re able to engage effectively around issues of race. — Scott

Eloquent Rage, Dr. Brittney Cooper

Cooper addresses the specific challenges of being a black woman in modern America in an accessible, powerful voice that invites you to critically examine your own personal brand of feminism. I learned more about intersectional feminism from this book than any other book I’ve read on the subject. — Marika

The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson

An amazing narrative spanning decades that tells the stories of African Americans that moved out of the south, to the north and west in search of a better life and the struggles they found once they’d arrived. — Marika

Other Comprehensive Lists of recommendations:

NY Times Anti-Racism Reading List

Anti-Racist Reading List

Teaching Resources

Resources with Curriculum and Lesson Plans

Teaching Tolerance — This non-profit collects hundreds of lessons and units designed to help children of all age groups confront systemic racism. As a former social studies teacher, I’m impressed with both the breadth and depth of the resources they have to offer. I recommend looking at their “Learning Plans” section first, finding a unit that you like, and adapting it for your classroom. — Robbie

Teaching for Change — This DC based organization has a number of lessons around books and articles that “encourages teachers and students to question and re-think the world inside and outside their classrooms.” They have resources for Elementary and Secondary classrooms as well as some book lists. The Civil Rights Teaching and Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action look to have the most relevant lesson plans and resources to use with your students. — Scott

Teacher’s Democracy Project: Black Lives Matter — Last winter, TDP developed a Black Lives Matter curriculum. They’re based out of Baltimore and used Cc to put it together, so we’re a bit biased, but they have a number of well-resourced units for all levels. Check these out if you’re looking for a series of lessons to help teach BLM in your classroom. — Scott

Anti-Defamation League — The ADL is a NYC based non-profit that develops programs and policies to combat discrimination and inequity. They’ve published 43 thorough lesson plans on race and racism, bias and discrimination, and social justice with a helpful filter to focus in on grade level. — Marika

Articles, podcasts, & compiled lists of other teaching resources

USC Rossier School of Education has compiled a solid list of resources and articles to help bring the conversation into the classroom. There is something for every teacher on this list. — Marika

NPR in collaboration with Sesame Workshop explain how to talk to young children about race in this short 20 minute podcast. Not only does it address discussing race when your children bring it up, but also how to bring it up before they do to frame it positively. — Marika

Raising White Children — In this podcast, Author Jennifer Harvey “offers age-appropriate insights for teaching children how to address racism when they encounter it and tackles tough questions about how to help white kids be mindful of racial relations while understanding their own identity and the role they can play for justice.” I just listened to this recently and found Harvey’s suggestions very approachable. — Marika

National Association for the Education of Young Children — An organization connecting early childhood teaching practices, policy, and research. This article addresses bringing the conversation about race and racism into a kindergarten classroom and conversations that extend to student families as well. — Marika

Interested in intersectionality? Here’s an article addressing how toxic white-centered feminism can harm black activists and social justice movements. — Marika

Resources for your school & district

Positive School Center The center provides training, coaching, and technical assistance rooted in five elements of racial justice and equity; trauma responsive strategies; social and emotional learning; student and community voice; and restorative practices. If you’re a school or district leader, contact them to learn more. While the training and coaching isn’t free, a good portion of their schools pay for it entirely through grants. I should note that my wife works here, so I’ve gotten to hear of their work and success and tend to be a bit biased. — Scott