As children ride to school with their parents or are at home, they are no doubt hearing about the heavy feelings connected to the brutal beating and killing of another Black man at the hands of police officers. Five former Memphis police officers are facing seven federal charges — including second-degree murder and aggravated assault after a traffic stop that led to the brutal beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.
Some of the issues surrounding race and violence can become conversations at school. Those conversations can be constructive. Raw feelings can also create nonconstructive conversations and actions among students. Seattle’s Superintendent Brent Jones sent out the following statement:
“On the eve of Black History Month and Black Lives Matter at School Week, we have more painful sagas to chronicle.
Seattle Public Schools condemns the murder of Tyre Nichols and the mass gun violence in California. We grieve the loss of Mr. Nichols and the 19 people lost in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park. We send our condolences and love out to their families and everyone seeking clarity and comfort.
The trauma is inexplicable, but all too familiar. Pain reverberates throughout our nation as we decry injustices against our peace. It is the power of family and community that carries us through these challenging times. We must continue to wrap our arms around each other, particularly our students. The constant imagery of Black and Brown souls in danger and despair is beyond harmful. These heinous miscarriages of law enforcement authority and gun violence should never be accepted.
We must find our strength in each other. Our role as the protectors of our young people, particularly our Black boys and teens and Students of Color, has become more important than ever. My hope is that our community will surround our youth with support as they attempt to process these tragic events. The following resources may help families talk with their students.
-Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
-Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom
-Color in Colorado Tips for Talking with Children About Tragedy in the News
Understandably, we have been shaken to our core. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to disrupt all societal legacies of racism and hate. Our children deserve to live and thrive without fear.”
Brent Jones is Black. The Seattle Public Schools website states, “As the former Seattle Public Schools chief equity, partnerships, and engagement officer he developed the district’s strategy for Eliminating Opportunity Gaps and roadmap for realizing racial equity for students and families. He has served in executive roles with MLK King County, Seattle Public Schools, Kent School District, Seattle Colleges, and Green River College.”
