Parent Resources in Wake of Tyre Nichols Video
On Friday, Jan. 27, another clear display of police brutality in the United States was made public. The police officers involved acted in what they most likely thought was impunity, and face criminal charges. It was an act of horrific violence and inhumanity. These actions clearly demand police reform nationwide. They have no doubt caused many emotions, in particular, anger, fear, deep frustration and sadness. There are much higher rates of police brutality against people of color, particularly men and boys, but it affects us all.
In a small attempt to address the well-being of our Beacon students, please see a list of resources below on racial trauma and stress. These resources can help guide a conversation you may choose to have with your student.
Resources for families:
- NYC DOE: How to support discussions on racism & equity
- American Psychological Association
- APA info for parents
- Chalkbeat article on teens’ responses to Tyre Nichols murder
- The Center for Racial Justice & Education
- UIC info for caregivers and families
- Child Mind Institute
- NYT: Racism’s psychological toll
- Mashable
- The Root
Resources for educators:
- NEA: Supporting students who have experienced trauma
- NASP: Talking to kids about violence
- NCTSN: Addressing race and trauma in the classroom
- NYUST: Social Justice Resources
- AFT resources
- PBS Teachers’ Guide
Fundraising:
Black History Month begins on Wednesday, Feb. 1st, and while studies of Black history are year-round, this month provides special opportunities to celebrate Black Americans’ extraordinary contributions and history.
While all members of the Beacon Community are invited to celebrate the annual Black Excellence Show on Feb. 16 and students are invited to the HBCU event at Barclays Center on Feb. 9, we encourage families to continue the conversation at home.
We also invite Beacon parents and guardians to do the work: join us at our February 1st DEI Committee meeting (at 6pm on Zoom) and join our February 8th DEI Multimedia Club discussion (at 6pm on Zoom), where we are discussing the podcast Keeping Score, a co-production of WNYC and The Bell.
This four-part podcast series tells the story of a year inside a divided Brooklyn school trying to unite its community through sports. Tyler Brewster (of Peer Connect) will moderate our conversations.
Check out the podcast at the links below. Each episode is only 30 minutes so we encourage you to check it out—and listen and discuss as a family, too:
• “Keeping Score” – episode 1 (podcast & transcript)
• “Keeping Score” – episode 2 (podcast & transcript)
• “Keeping Score” – episode 3 (podcast & transcript)
• “Keeping Score” – episode 4 (podcast & transcript)
The DOE’s Respect For All Week is coming up from Feb. 13-17, so stay tuned for more ways we can support each other in the days ahead.
Thank you,
Melissa Magallanes & Jeffrey Marshall
Beacon PTA Co-VPs, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
