We want our students to know that we see the current inequities based on race, that the lives of people of color matter to us, and that we believe we all have a responsibility to work for equity. Thank you for partnering with us in this work to improve the Rochester community.
How did this day come to be in Rochester? Is it an official part of the national Black Lives Matter?
Black Lives Matter at School is not an official part of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, the group has actively collaborated with local Black Lives Matter activists to make sure that our focus and mission align with the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
We began with a small group of parents, teachers and community members who shared a vision that: “diverse community partners will come together to create a day of education, dialogue and action that will actively engage a significant number of educational communities throughout Monroe County in activities which support understanding and affirmation of Black Lives.” This day is meant as the beginning of ongoing dialogue, education and action. The Board and staff unions have formally supported this vision.
What will happen on February 17, 2017?
It is our hope that the majority of our teachers, students and schools—along with suburban and higher education peers—will create opportunities to “explore and grapple with the past, present and future status of Black lives in our society and to affirm that status as equal to, and not secondary to, the lives of others.” Educators have choices about how to participate. Teachers may design lessons, facilitate conversations with students and amongst colleagues about race and/or the Black Lives Matter movement, invite local activists and experts in as guest speakers, and/or wear t-shirts and stickers that make their support visible. Student leaders are developing ways to express their solidarity and share their experiences with their school communities. We encourage our staff to use the resources that will be provided as starting points, and as always, to use the relationships they have with their students to share powerful, thoughtful, engaging and respectful dialogues in classrooms across the City.
Don’t all lives matter?
We know that not everyone will be comfortable, and that some may think we’re excluding non-Black students, asking, “Don’t all lives matter?” Yes, all lives have inherent worth. But because 57% of RCSD students are African-American, and because by all measures, the lives of people of color are not treated equally by our society, the call for all lives to matter rings hollow when it is said in response to black live matter. Affirming one thing as valuable and deserving of attention does not automatically devalue another, just like when you say you love one of your children, you are not offending or excluding your other child. Saying Black lives matter does not mean that Latino, white and police lives don’t matter, it simply affirms that Black lives are in jeopardy, which deserves our attention right now.
Here are some articles to learn more about this:
http://www.vox.com/2016/7/11/12136140/black-all-lives-matter
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/problem-saying-all-lives-matter
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-halstead/dear-fellow-white-people-_b_11109842.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/us/all-lives-matter-black-lives-matter.html
Can’t we just make it a multi-cultural day?
Not really. It’s better not to participate if you don’t think that your school is currently equipped to specifically affirm that Black Lives Matter at School. Changing the day to be inclusive of all cultures waters down the intent and is actually sending the message that Black lives are not important enough to be the focus. That’s the exact opposite of the intent. This day is about standing in solidarity with our Black students and families. Participation is voluntary.
Isn’t this too “political” for schools?
This is a day of affirmation and a day to raise awareness. Our students, staff, families and schools all exist in society, and events in society deserve our attention in schools. As a community charged with preparing students to be leaders, we believe that education is the key to developing relationships across difference, recognizing unfair treatment, examining bias and advocating for justice. We believe that schools should be places where students and staff know and care about each other enough to have honest conversations about difficult subjects such as race, power and personal stories.
How can I get involved?
- If you are a student, check out the resources on this website and then talk to your teacher or principal about how to get your class / school involved. Or, email us using the contact feature on the website and we can connect you to other youth leaders.
- If you are an educator, you can get involved in several ways, listed on other aspects of this website. Bottom line, you can educate yourself, using resources suggested, and open the conversation with your students. If you want to go further and make a visible affirmation, we encourage you to purchase a t-shirt or wear a button or sticker so your students will know you are willing to engage.
- If you are a family member of a students, we encourage you to learn more and discuss Black Lives Matter at School with your child, and to contact your child’s teacher and principal to find how you can support or help to coordinate your school’s efforts.