Seattle’s Black History Month is beginning with a Black Lives Matter at School Week and a “week of action” calling for more Black educators and ethnic studies in the city’s classrooms.
In Seattle’s public schools, this is the fourth year officials have recognized the Black Lives Matter movement and made curriculum resources available to teachers to bring the discussion more fully into their classes — even as the pandemic has moved instruction online in 2021.
“The events of the past year have brought even more urgency and importance to this yearly week of action,” an announcement of the week focusing on social justice and education from Seattle Public Schools reads. “The killing of unarmed Black men and women, including LGBTQIA+ persons of color, by police has left young people and our communities searching for answers to incredibly complicated issues of race, justice, and fairness. Our public education system and educators play an important role in disrupting legacies of racism.”
Organizers of Black Lives Matter At School including Seattle educator and activist Jesse Hagopian, meanwhile, are calling on Seattle Schools and education officials across the country to commit to four goals:
- End Zero Tolerance discipline and implement Restorative Justice
- Hire More Black Teachers
- Black History/Ethnic Studies Mandated K-12
- Fund Counselors, not Cops
“The Black Lives Matter at School movement, and many educators, students, and parents, have helped win important victories for Black students such as removing police from the Seattle Public Schools and helping to win Black Studies and Ethnic Studies programs,” Hagopian said in the announcement of the 2021 BLM at School effort. “But we have only begun our struggle to transform the schools to make them a place that natures and loves Black students.”
The 2021 Black Lives Matter at School Week events in Seattle events will culminate Friday with an online celebration. Tune in February 5th at 5:30 PM to the virtual “Young, Gifted, and Black: Student Talent Showcase.”
A full Black Lives Matter at School Week schedule for the Seattle area is posted here.
You can also help support the week with a donation here.
Learn more in the Puget Sound Black Lives Matter at School Facebook group.
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