Undaunted. Unapologetic. Determined. Together.
January 8, 2021
“You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.”
- Pablo Neruda
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 was a shameful day for our county.
We witnessed an abhorrent seditious attack on the nation’s capitol by white nationalists seeking to intimidate us and undermine our democracy. An insurgency in which extremist rhetoric, violent and racist acts went unchecked (if not abetted) and recorded before the world. Claims that “this is not who America is” belie history, and add insult to injury for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color.
In fact, it is the unwillingness of America to reconcile, repair and heal from its past and the deadly consequences of white supremacy that impedes our capacity to realize the possibility of a true democracy. This is exactly who we have shown ourselves to be and yet, we are more than this, we are bigger than this, we have historical guides. Toni Morrison reminds us that “the function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work." We must now let our hurt and outrage fuel our resolve to fight for a more just, loving and equitable nation in which we each belong and thrive.
“Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation. ”
Wednesday’s attempted coup was a painful reminder that our young democracy is fragile; its manifestation is in no way guaranteed. We the people have to believe in it, co-own it, protect it, nurture it, and ensure its equal access. The historic victory in Georgia on January 5th - Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s first Black senator, Jon Ossoff, Georgia’s first Jewish senator - was the result of BIPOC leaders, organizers and voters aligned in their commitment and action. That collective victory represents the beautiful promise of democracy and it should not be understated or eclipsed.
As an organization committed to creating a world that works for everyone, we understand this as an opportunity to cultivate a new dream of who we can become as a country - a dream rooted in love, belonging, safety, stewardship and collective responsibility. Through processing, engaging and responding to the events of this week and what they mean for the peaceful transition of power on Inauguration Day and beyond, we encourage you to take care with yourself and one another. And remain steadfast.
[Image Description: Twitter post from Marian Dingle with a quote that states, “Teach it all. Don’t hold back. Be human. Tell the truth. Guide them to think. We can do this.”]
We remain committed to building equitable learning environments with school communities, especially in these trying times. It is important for adults to ensure spaces for their own processing and healing so that they can be available to tend to our young people’s emotional and physical well-being. Young people will need safe spaces to express themselves, ask questions, receive and provide support for each other’s experience and sense of agency. Young people have been watching and experiencing the impacts of this Administration’s racist policies and rhetoric for years now, and they have also been leading, making changes and organizing. We have their determination and organizing to credit for the tremendous engagement in our democracy over the last year.
It is critical that we lean in, listen to our young people, trust in their innate strength, leadership and creativity. They will have questions, but they will also have solutions, actions, visions - we must take our cues from them.
“ I come to you as a young person, as a young woman, as a young Black woman to ask you to use us, use the young people of the USA to pave a road that will last forever.”
Stacey Abrams enters the national stage as a teen activist speaking at the 30th Anniversary March on Washington in 1993.
“A new world order is in the making, and it is up to us to prepare ourselves that we may take our rightful place in it.”
This expanded moment of overlapping pandemics has been filled with equal amounts of pain and possibility. Howard ZInn encouraged us that “to be hopeful in bad times is not foolishly romantic, but is based on the fact that human history is one not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage and kindness.” “What we choose to emphasize in this complex history,” Zinn asserted, “will determine our lives.”
Let’s agree to carry on - undaunted, unapologetic, determined, together.
It is with this in mind - that we get to choose our response to this moment - we offer the following resources that may help you, your families, classrooms and teammates make sense and take productive action in the work ahead:
How Educators Can Help Kids Process the Attack on the Capitol
Facing History: Responding to the Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol
Beyond the Spotlight: creating equitable and caring classrooms for children
For a possible activity, engaging with the video, Can you Spot the Difference? by Ki, click here.
Who Gets to Vote? Teaching About the Struggle for Voting Rights in the United States
Restorative Circles created by restorative justice supporters in the Boston Public Schools. These are considered living documents and welcome people adapting them as needed including using them with adults.
by Taj James
the people who bring love, care and healing
into out lives and into our world
are many
we have always been
and now we are beginning
to take our space
to insist that love be at the center
of all of our instutions
at the center of everything we do
at the center of everything that is done
to insist
that power exist
only in the service of love
as this system
breathes its last violent and painful breaths
many of us will have to endure
the final wave
the bloody last gasps of a soulless machine
that has turned all people into things
that use and are used
it is so hard to remember
that the pain that we are feeling
is the ending of a 500 year cycle of death
that we are so close
to celebrating and centering
the healers, the caretakers, the creators
of beauty, connection, nourishment and community
so close to returning
to their rightful place
the people of the land
who never forgot
that all things are alive
and that all living things
are relatated and connected
as i arise from my hoplessess and despair
pulled from below by the love of community
i begin to remember things feel so hopeless
because we have reached the point
where we have no other options
but to transform it all
all together
all at once
the only point from which
genuine hope
can sprout
flower
blossom
and bear
the sweetest of fruits