THREAD:All my #Black fam.i see & feel u. The weight is unbearable. Those sitting at home in tears; those worrying abt their babies; those raging bc its suffocating. the toll on our wellbeing & collective path to liberation is heart-shattering #BlackLivesMatter #ICantBreatheAGAIN

Exhausted; depressed; angry; having to have "the talk" with our children AGAIN and AGAIN; needing to police your anger and sadness so you dont offend the sensibilities of those who dont (want to) get it; or being in spaces, smiling to not have to say - that pain- is here - AGAIN

Watching the tears of some, the status updates abt #ABR and conversations abt being #Allies - wondering when this moment goes by - what is going to be different? Will people actually address the #Racism in themselves, their families/friends and workplaces #BlackLivesMatter

For those of you in EDU - this is why we must address ABR in #Schools bc what happened - is the end result of it NOT being addressed. We dont need tears or professions of anger/sadness. TAKE ACTION... so #onted what are you going to DO differently - here are some thoughts:

1. Commit to your own UN/Learning. What are the Anti-Black beliefs, attitudes and behaviours YOU engage in- what does that look like? We are all socialized in a colonial system that values whiteness over Blackness - we all have work to do in addressing #ABR in ourselves

2. Black History - is OUR history - it's not only a month - how are you going to commit to changing instruction, providing resources, highlighting #Intersectional #BlackExcellence in all classroom planning & school improvement work - what resources will you purchase?

3 #BlackExcellence is NOT abt #racism-its excellence IN SPITE of Racism-so watch the narratives that u create or teach-so that #Blackness is not equated with inferiority/struggle ONLY but the legacy of #Blackcivilizations #Inventors #contributions are noted, learned & celebrated

4. Critically reflect on how #Black Ss are doing in YOUR CLASS/SCHOOL. How many #Black Ss end up in the office bc of discipline? The #SchooltoPrison #Pipeline- is well documented - IT IS REAL. YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING to it IN SCHOOL. if ur not addressing this. B #PartoftheSolution

5. How many Black Ss r #suspended or #expelled? What critical review has taken place to understand how the school may have caused the prblm to begin with OR NOT supported Ss the way they need to be. #TheDataisClear. If you dont collect data- START with the goal of #REALChange.

6. What pathways are Black Ss on - how many are overrepresented in SpeEd classes & UNDERrepresented in Gifted classes in ur school/classes? Why? How many are put into #applied pathways-bc "you care" for them instead of holding high standards & creating pathways for it to happen?

7. How r #BlackFamilies engaged at your school. What are your perceptions abt which parents r "angry" vs who is "passionate". How many r "encouraged" to make decisions in #IPRCs or abt future #Pathways or #discipline that u would not do with other families. Check ur antiBlackness

8. Black Ss navigate anti-Blackness their whole lives. Bc youre nice doesnt mean antiBlackness doesnt exist in ur class/school- bc we live in colonial structures- you need to start ur leadership by PRESUMING antiBlackness exists in ur classroom/school. Then PLAN to address it

Pls feel free to add to this list. If we really believe ALL Lives Matter- then commit to the belief that #BlackLivesMatter and DO something. Talk & tweets are cheap.