“I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” - James Baldwin
After a very tumultuous election, it is time to remind ourselves that our classrooms should be incubators for critical observation and conversation in order to create a space for change. Change is never easy and the state of flux that it embodies is often difficult and met with fear. But, change is necessary when a large portion of our American society are constantly marginalized and persecuted. In 2012, Trayvon Martin was gunned down by George Zimmerman and the victim was posthumously placed on trial for his own murder. Zimmerman was acquitted.
“The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for ALL Black lives striving for liberation.” - #BlackLivesMatter web page
Philadelphia continues to be a city plagued by some of the highest levels of poverty, unemployment, and violence. The Racial Justice Committee of the Caucus of Working Educators is organizing a week highlighting the 13 guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter Movement in order to continue purposeful action against the adverse outcomes derived from perpetual structural racism evident in public education and our society as a whole.
The week will begin on January 23rd, a day that we are asking that educators across the city join us in wearing Black Lives Matter t-shirts and buttons. There will be events throughout the week, as well as curriculum resources for daily lesson plans and activities based upon the 13 Guiding Principles of Black Lives Matter. As we get closer to the week, resources and the calendar of events will be posted at workingeducators.org/racial-justice.
If you are interested in learning more or organizing around the campaign at your school or with your community organization, please complete the form, and join us at our Monthly Organizing Meeting on January 10th from 4:30 to 6:30. The meeting will be held at KCAPA (1901 N. Front St.). We welcome events from teachers, community organizations, and parents.
For more information on the campaign view the calendar of events and visit our FAQs page. Email [email protected] for more information.
Also, please join the Philadelphia Black History Collaborative on January 20th for a fundraiser for their upcoming conference. More information on the event can be found on event page.
We hope that you will join us as we collectively assert the value of Black lives in our schools and communities.