What We Believe
What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book that focuses on the guiding principles of BLM at schools, written by Lalena Garcia and illustrated by Caryn Davidson. The book was originally self-published as a collaboration between Garcia, a kindergarten teacher, and Davidson, a high school art educator, as part of their work with the Black Lives Matter at Schools organization. Published on October 27, 2020, the earlier edition of the book was widely adopted by educators across the nation, and this extensively revised version has been informed by Garcia’s experience in sharing the principles with her own students and the feedback she received from other readers.[1]
Plot
What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book is a combination between coloring pages and questions on it for the reader to fill in for themselves with blank space and important self-reflection questions. There is also a short note at the beginning about recognizing and uplifting everyday community players.
Black Lives Matter
This beautiful workbook guides students through the Black Lives Matter Global Network’s 13 principles with powerful quotes and images from Black thought leaders, artists, activist, and organizers. What an incredible resource to engage students in deep conversations about the rich diversity of the Black experience.
The book also presents the guiding principles in down-to-earth, child-friendly language, with each principle accompanied by writing prompts, space for children or adults to create their own reflections, and a coloring page. Supporting materials guide adults in sharing the principles with children and encourage kids to dream big and take action within their communities. This book can be an essential resource for anyone discussing racial equity with young people, What We Believe offers a beautiful and inspiring lens on important social justice movement.[2]
“The point of this book is to help everyone realize that BLM creates a vision of a world that everyone would want to live in and that would ensure liberation, justice, and joy for all identities. But even more importantly, I would say that it is so important to teach these BLM principles because too many non-Black people do not understand the direct connection that it has to their lives,” said the author, Caryn Davidson.[3]
References
- ↑ Jalissa (2020). WHAT WE BELIEVE: A BLACK LIVES MATTER PRINCIPLES ACTIVITY BOOK. Retrieved on December 25, 2020.
- ↑ BLM at School. Retrieved on December 25, 2020.
- ↑ Johann Calhoun, Chalkbeat (2020). Teaching Black Lives Matter virtually? Some Philadelphia teachers say it can be done. Retrieved on December 25, 2020.
