 The Week of Action centers 13 guiding principles and 4 demands of Black Lives Matter at School. From double dutch parties to rallies in front of the department of education, students, educators, families, unions, and community organizations participate both in and outside of the classroom.
This year’s theme is Collective Value. The Black Lives Matter at School guiding principle of Collective Values states, “We are guided by the fact that all Black lives, regardless of sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, ability, disability, education, location, age, immigration status, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, matter. None of us are free until we are all free.”
0 Comments
 Black people have always found ways to teach, learn, and empower each other. We remain dedicated to the work of ensuring Black Lives Matter in schools and creating spaces that embody Black joy.
Donate to the Freedom School in the Name of a Radical Educator. Together we can advance student knowledge! Help us uphold the legacy and strengthen the Black teaching tradition by supporting, honoring, and encouraging community education. Article written by M. Mbaye & R. Clayton We got involved with the BLM at Schools Teen Council through our club director Martin Urbach. We are both a part of the club Circle Keepers where we implement restorative justice practices within our school and stand in as mediators for our school community but before we joined Circle Keepers we were in the Restorative Justice class. In that class we were also taught by Martin and he taught mainly about movements like Black Lives Matter, Abolition, and The School to Prison Pipeline. He had connections to and is a part of the BLM at School Teen Council and because of our developments over zoom in 9th grade in that class we joined. Therefore it has been 3 years that we have participated in and been a part of the BLM at Schools Teen Council.  On the day of this year's BLM at Schools Week of Action event, we arrived at Harvest Collegiate early in the morning in preparation for the big event. Twelve students and three adults scattered around the cafeteria. There were a few students stationed at a variety of tables. Some were setting up the snacks for all the attendees, others were blowing up beach balls, and then there was art making to give a welcoming experience to the atmosphere. As attendees started arriving we introduced the 13 guiding principles and our purpose for gathering at the BLM Youth council. After a short presentation on restorative justice by harvests very own circle keepers and a pizza break, attendees emerged into a surplus of different workshops and learning opportunities in 5 different rooms. There was a kids corner, vision boarding, learning about forgotten activists, watching and analyzing videos, and art making.  Throughout the event attendees were able to incorporate music, food, and fun into a learning experience. Something to be proud of at this event is that it was not only fun, but educational. Students, teachers, and staff all came together, some with limited knowledge on what RJ was and the 13 guiding principles and its 4 demands. Through this event, we were able to spread the framework of such powerful ideologies onto our peers and other methods of administration who will then bring it to their own schools in hopes of creating change.  BLM at school is all about educating, empowering and recentering yourself in the knowledge or experience of being Black. Being a part of this Teen Council we have really gotten the chance to connect with youth with similar drives and interest to activism, celebrating, and growing with one another. Every year we have brainstormed and really thought about what things we wanted to do to steer away from all of the negative aspects of the black experience that everyone is often focused on and celebrate excellence and what we see in ourselves as values that go hand in hand with what the BLM movement stands for. Every year I learn more about how people want to move forward, what they want to push for mentally, or physically in different spaces.  As well as leave with an understanding within themselves. In hopes of making it better next year, we should extend the time of the event so that there is enough room for folks to have enough time to attend different workshops. In doing this, everyone gets to experience more than one immersive activity. We wish that people knew that believing Black lives matter in schools means believing in the principle of loving engagement; specifically tied to Black women. As two high school black women write this, it’s important to recognize the importance of Black women in schools of all grades.  Everyone should work towards building an affirming space for all the young black girls who are generalized and stereotyped to behave a certain way. To create a safe space for these girls in schools, means to be willing to let go of any and all misogynistic and patriarchal practices and leave room for these women to thrive.   What's going on?
Who is Dr. Covington?
Reality is...
Support
To The University of Iowa President’s Office and Administration, Division of DEI, and Graduate College:To be radical, “It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you change that system.” - Ella Baker We, the National Steering Committee of the Black Lives Matter at School, stand in solidarity with Dr. Lisa Covington and demand that the university rescind their decision to bar her from participating in the Spring 2023 commencement. In alignment with our ongoing collective support of all Black students, faculty, and staff, we issue this statement knowing that when part of our community is not protected, the whole Black campus community may be harmed. Dr. Covington defended her dissertation on July 8, 2022, and was informed by her advisor that she could participate in Spring 2023 commencement ceremonies. Months later, she was then informed by the Graduate College Dean Amanda Thein that she would not be permitted to walk in the Spring graduation, even though she was not able to participate due to being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After communicating with Dean Thein, the commencement requirements were posted on the university’s website. Due to the unilateral decision-making by university administrators, Dr. Covington sought to file a grievance but was informed by Associate Provost Lois Geist that there was no process. As a result, The University of Iowa is denying the opportunity for Dr. Covington to celebrate attaining a PhD, a distinction held by only three percent of Black women faculty members! The University of Iowa is ignoring the diverse needs of the students, in particular, the lives of Black students who have been impacted by both the health and racial pandemics. Overall, there has been a lack of communication, both to students and faculty, on the policy that restricts graduation participation eligibility. Dr. Covington was led to believe she could participate in the spring commencement. Despite this policy not being previously outlined, when she asked to appeal the decision she was not given steps nor directions, but was simply told no and admonished by Provost Geist for prioritizing her health. We find this approach to contradict University of Iowa’s attempts to correct and heal their historical systemic racist practices as outlined in their new DEI commitment. Dr. Lisa Covington is the Director of the Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy in Iowa City. For this work, she was featured on Iowa Public Radio multiple times and received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the Iowa Department of Human Rights in 2020. Serving as editor for Ms. Magazine’s Primer on Critical Race Theory is one of many examples Dr. Covington has raised the national and international profile of Iowa while she has been a student at The University of Iowa. Yet, the school hasn't supported her ongoing achievements. Her commitment to the values of educational equity have always been prominent in her teaching and scholarship. The university must take actions that align with the values stated publicly. How does refusing to allow an appeal to a blanket policy demonstrate that you “understand the emerging needs and priorities of stakeholders, or seek to “improve equitable access to educational opportunities”, or that you are “honest, fair, respectful, and ethical and are accountable for [y]our decisions and actions”? It appears as though Dr. Covington is being penalized by The University of Iowa due to her tremendous efforts in challenging state restrictions on curriculum and establishing an Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy for Black youth and actively advocating for the principles of critical race theory to be understood in Iowa and beyond. The current actions of The University of Iowa is consistent with the historical mistreatment of Black faculty, staff, and students on campus. The university has a legacy of anti-Blackness, from racist housing practices during the 1940s to the racial discrimination lawsuit from Black student-athletes that occurred in the past weeks. In addition, the concerning number of Black administrators and faculty that have left over the last few years and over half the current faculty and staff indicating they’ve considered leaving because of the university’s culture, points to an institution with a culture that fails to support or nurture Black intellectuals. The university profits off of anti-Blackness while reducing the Black body and mind to what can benefit the university and conspires with the state in the silencing of Black education and Black students. The university leadership has a responsibility to take every chance to correct previous injustices and work towards healing this ongoing pervasive anti-Black culture. This may seem like an isolated event, but it can be seen in the racism experienced when students in the English department submitted papers with the n-word used freely despite being asked by Black faculty to not do that sparking #BlackatIowaWriters social media testimonials, Black students expressing isolation and the ongoing discrimination Black football players experience, which resulted in a lawsuit. In light of Dr. Covington being denied any right to appeal the decision, we demand you to reconsider this injustice against Dr. Lisa Covington and allow her family and friends the opportunity to witness her remarkable achievement at the Spring 2023 commencement. We hope you take this opportunity to have an actual discussion regarding your shameful actions that are a type of retaliation against Dr. Covington for her ongoing support of Black lives in the face of the legislative attempts to ensure that Black lives in Iowa don’t matter. There is no justification for ignoring the reality of a Black woman impacted by the pandemic. The University of Iowa only has 3 percent of African American students and should be supportive of Black students going to school in a sundown state. Despite the ongoing challenges Black students, faculty and staff face at The University of Iowa–as documented on your climate survey and the frequent occurrence of folks leaving the institution–you have the opportunity to support a talented recent alumna while stand up for what is right and pivot from historical wrongs by making a commitment to do better and reaffirm your promise to diversity, equity, and inclusion. "What we do is more important than what we say, or what we say we think." - bell hooks -The National Black Lives Matter at School Steering Committee blacklivesmatteratschool.com [email protected] GraphicsCurriculum Resources Graphic Description: Screenshots of Lorde’s Questionnaire to Oneself and YouTube video frame of Morrison speaking on the Importance of Writing in the Face of Hate to look like open Internet windows. Unapologetically Black Year of Purpose Logo in the top right and below, a description on how to access resources on the curriculum guide: “Access prompts on our are.an page - bit.ly/UBPresources” To celebrate the birthdays of Audre Lorde and Toni Morrison, and to live in their embodiment of their unforgiving and unapologetic commitment to be their whole selves, we invite folks to complete Lorde’s Questionnaire to Oneself and watch Morrison speak about what it means to continue writing in the face of hate. ⠀ To return to this work day in and out, is an ongoing practice. It reaches far beyond a week of action and asks us to remain committed to hope and transformation. Let us too, live in the essence of Lorde and Morrison, to continue our commitment to teaching truthful histories and amassing the powerful practices, creative tools, and key strategies by which past, present, and future generations can advance the struggle of Black liberation. Student Creative Challenge Graphic Description: Text that says "Student Creative Challenge Showcase" and screenshot of video frame of showcase featuring student artwork. Bottom text says: "Watch at bit.ly/SCC2023 showcase" To continue our celebration of Unapologetically Black Day on February 18th, we are sharing a video showcase of all the entries to the 2023 Student Creative Challenge. Students were thoughtful, intentional, and very clear in how schools can SUPPORT them in being unapologetically Black. From displaying flags and images of Black people to understanding hair as a prized possession, school communities can easily make commitments to honor and celebrate Black students, families, educators, and community leaders while providing access to space and resources to un-learn and re-learn.
⠀ Thank you to all students who submitted their drawings, paintings, poetry, stories, photography, and more! And to to their teachers and school leaders for encouraging them. The movement keeps on keepin’ on because of you all…onward!! |
Get monthly updates. Subscribe to our
|
RSS Feed