ISEEN friends:

Like many of you, we at ISEEN were shocked and dismayed by yesterday's attacks on our democracy. As experiential educators, we are entrusted with educating the next generation of citizens, and our practice is a cornerstone in upholding that democracy. We believe that yesterday's events are a reminder of the work we must continue to do, including making necessary changes to champion social justice and racial equity within education. We condemn the violent actions of the mob that sought to undermine our democratic system and the peaceful transition to power.

John Dewey has said, “a democracy is more than a form of government; it is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife.” We appreciate the work that each and every one of you does every day to make this possible.

Yesterday's violence shows that we must persist and that there is much work to do in our commitment to justice. We need look no further than the results in Georgia, which remind us of what is possible when the extraordinary power of organizing and voting is exercised. We recommit to supporting our students in this unique moment in world history. We acknowledge the pain and distress many of us are feeling today as White Nationalists sought to undermine our country’s democratic system through a violent insurrection. These actions are a result of the racist rhetoric of our current administration and an attempt to deny the voices of millions of Americans, especially Black Americans and other people of color. ISEEN is committed to empowering students to critically challenge such ideologies.

On a personal note, living in the Washington, DC area and having friends who work in the Capitol, it has been surreal to watch the events unfold. My family and I are safe and more determined than ever to continue the work for justice.

Experientially yours,

Shoshanna 

Resources:

Many of you have shared resources to process this with your students. I’ve included some below. Please do share more as you find them (reply all to this message).

• Resources for teachers on the days after the attack on the U.S. Capitol. | beyond the stoplight
• Insurgency at the U.S. Capitol: A Dreaded, Real-Life Lesson Facing Teachers (edweek.org)
• When Bad Things Are Happening | Teaching Tolerance
• Explaining the News to Our Kids | Common Sense Media
• Institute for Anti-Racist Ed (@antiracistedinstitute) 
• Responding to the Insurrection at the US Capitol | Facing History and Ourselves
• January 6th, 2021 - Capitol Siege - Google Slides
• Inclusion at the Intersection of Identity and Politics - Inclusion Factor
• How To Talk To Your Kids As DC Protests Turn Violent - Motherly

From Wellesley College
Tips from my world of Child Therapy redux: January 6, 2021.

What to tell the children. (Edited to add: do not assume your child doesn’t know that something big has happened.)

Today: 

Tell them that this is a sad day in our country. 

Tell them that they are okay.

Tell them that you are okay. 

If the tv is on, watch with them and answer their questions as honestly and as factually as you can. 

Turn off the tv.

Give them some of the facts. 

This happened at the Capitol, not at the White House. (Some children I’ve spoken with today are confused about this.) 

Tell them that the people who entered the building are no longer there. 

Tell them that the people who entered the building were not protestors. 

Tell them that protesting is something that people do to move our country forward when there are injustices. 

Tell them that the people who entered the building did not do so to move our country forward. 

Tell them that these rioters were wrong to do this. 

Tell them that they picked this day to enter this building because today is the day when the next President of the United States (Joe Biden) and the Vice President (Kamala Harris) were going to be certified (made real) by the workers in the building. 

Tell them that the people who wrongly entered the building did so because they wanted to stop this process. 

Tell them that they didn’t succeed in stopping the process and that it is happening right now this very minute. 

Tell them that they can ask any questions, that you may not have all the answers, but you will try to figure them out. 

Later:

Tell them about how racism is the underpinning of much of the actions of these rioters. 

Tell them about how some leaders can be dangerous. When they are ready, give specific examples. 

Tell them that, when they are older, voting will be a very, very important job for them to do (in the meantime, take them with you when you vote). 

Tell them to always work hard to make sure all votes count. 

Blessings to you, dear ones.