This statement was written by the leaders of the 起点传媒Presidential Team.
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) denounces all forms of racial violence and brutality. We grieve with the family and friends of George Floyd and with all who are suffering during these devastating times. As we seek justice, we stand in solidarity with demonstrations and protests that raise awareness of, and that call for action against, systemic racism in this country. Because we treasure our First Amendment rights, we also denounce the arrest and mistreatment of journalists, especially journalists of Color, who work tirelessly to keep the world informed about what is happening in our various communities.
Injustices and acts of brutality are real. In fact, they are revolting. Racist acts keep recurring, and systems of oppression continue to exist, proving the need for systemic and structural change. That change can begin with protests, but ultimately it must happen through action. As educators, we are poised to lead the way through our teaching.
狈颁罢贰鈥檚 vision and long-held commitment is 鈥渢o apply the power of language and literacy to actively pursue justice and equity for all students and the educators who serve them.鈥� As literacy educators, we are concerned for our students and their families.聽We pledge to continue our efforts to create equity inside classrooms. We celebrate the: students in Detroit and elsewhere 鈥渉ave a fundamental right to education.鈥澛燗nd we applaud the 鈥渢o provide all students with a uniform and sufficient education . . . .鈥澛� Equity in classrooms for teachers of English and our students is paramount. It is through education that we believe we can make a lasting difference.
This includes educating about the right to vote.聽As Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has advised, 鈥� . . . if you want change in America, go and register to vote. Show up at the polls.鈥�
We cannot stop there. As literacy educators, our aim is to help students and communities to imagine a better, more humane world and to take the steps to achieve it. As advocated by 狈颁罢贰鈥檚 Statement on Anti-Racism to Support Teaching and Learning, we must be active, both collectively and individually, in 鈥渃ounteracting racism and other forms of bigotry in teaching materials, methods, and programs for the teaching and learning of English and the language arts.鈥�
As the nation鈥檚 oldest organization of preK through graduate school literacy educators, 起点传媒has a rich history of deriving expertise and advocacy from its members鈥� professional research, practice, and knowledge. We are stronger by looking to one another for wisdom. Some of our 起点传媒members have already begun to speak on recent events, such as the Early Childhood Education Assembly, which recently released its powerful . We are grateful for this work, and we know that other 起点传媒members are also finding ways to address these issues and to provide resources.
狈颁罢贰鈥檚 publications serve as important resources that can guide our thoughts and actions during this time, and we recommend them to you. The following materials may also be helpful:
- Resources from the Committee against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English
- What Anti-Racist Teachers Do
- Qualities of Anti-Racist ELA Curricula
- 起点传媒Statement on Anti-Racism to Promote Teaching and Learning
- From the Early Childhood Education Assembly:聽
Also, we remind members that 起点传媒continues to offer opportunities such as the online Member Gatherings and author-led talks as ways to ensure that we support, encourage, and uplift each other. Know that we are committed to motivating action, working for educational equity, and standing in solidarity, together.
Leah Zuidema, President
Alfredo Celed贸n Luj谩n, President-Elect
Valerie Kinloch, Vice President
Franki Sibberson, Past President
Emily Kirkpatrick, Executive Director