Curated by:  Community Members at The Institute for Anti-Racist Education

Once again, we are reading your letters to the Institute! Please submit your questions by replying to this email. 

Dear Institute, 

I’m a Black 4th grade teacher at a K-12 independent (private) school. For the past few years, my colleagues and administration have turned to me (at the last minute) to honor Black History Month. If I say no, I worry we won’t do anything as a community. But I also don’t know if I am the best person to do this work. How can I encourage my community to do Black History Month justice?

Sincerely,

Nobody’s Token 

Dear Nobody’s Token,

First of all, we want to acknowledge your frustration and are sorry for the additional labor you have to do as a Black teacher, especially in a predominantly white space. 

Here at The Institute, we hold space for the complexity of Black History Month.

Here are some questions and considerations you can bring to your community now (or as soon as you return to school in the new year):

• Our students need Black History Month AND Black History is taught throughout the year, every year. How can you honor Black History Month while also alleviating some of the pressure placed on a very short month? If you’re looking to learn how to “teach Black history month” you’re missing the point. 
• How will you avoid telling a single story of Blackness? Is there a theme for speakers, lessons, etc? Are you thinking about multiple diasporic communities? Are you centering Black LGBTQ+ people, Black disabled people, rural and urban Black folks, ordinary and everyday people?
• Don’t center this month’s lessons around anti-Blackness. Instead, teach about Black joy, Black excellence, Black resilience. What might a pro-Black approach look like?
• You can’t teach Black History unless you know it. What support does the school offer for you and other teachers to build their knowledge around Black History?
• Black History Month curriculum may create representation but that alone will never create freedom. How are we reviewing policies and structures within our school? Honor Black History Month by examining how your discipline policies center whiteness and contribute to the oppression of Black students. 
• Compensate Every Speaker Who Presents as Part of Black History Month. Period.

In love and Solidarity,

#BlackHistoryMonthIsYearRound

Our next newsletter will come out in January 2023. As we near the end of this year, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the Create Freedom Artivist Fellowship, a free and stipended 4 week program that is intended to empower transition-aged foster youth (16-24 years old), youth with system-impacted parents, youth of the global majority, LGBTQIA2S+ youth, youth with disabilities, and system-impacted youth. A donation of $500 covers a student’s increased stipend, books, meal gift cards, technology and swag. A donation of any amount helps sustain this meaningful program.