Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force

Please join the Equity and Anti-Racism conversation at Hyde-Addison by joining us on Konstella, utilizing the resources here and/or participating in the monthly Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force meeting. As parents, teachers and staff, we are interested in doing our part to promote equity and end racism in constructive, supportive ways.

February is Black History Month! This Washington.org article offers great ideas to get out of the house and safely celebrate Black History Month outdoors at DC landmarks.

Check out the Black History Month Resource Guide for Educators and Families, by the Center for Racial Justice in Education, for a library of resources on the importance, relevance and origins of Black History Month, and explaining the importance integrating Black history and experiences throughout all curriculum year-round: “Unless Black history is taught throughout the year, it perpetuates an ‘othering’ of Black Lives and Black students, and is also a manifestation of anti-blackness.”

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is hosting online events to celebrate Black History Month throughout February, including an event on the evening of Friday, Feb. 4, entitled A Seat at the Table: The Triumphs and Challenges of Black Education, and a free event on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 7, entitled History Alive! Coming Home: African Americans Returning from World War II.

National Geographic Kids has a great primer on the origins of Black History Month, and PBS has a page titled Celebrating Black Leaders with great resources for parents and kids to celebrate Black History Month. Check it out for videos about Black leaders, books about Black culture and exploring Black history through art.

Finally, we recommend the HBO original documentary movie King in the Wilderness (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), a powerful, heartbreaking examination of the final three years of Dr. King’s life, when he faced an onslaught of criticism from both sides of the political spectrum but remained unshakably committed to the doctrine of nonviolence in the face of an increasingly unstable country.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture produces ABC Activity Books: Object and Photo Collection, which allows you to click on an image and learn about items in the museum’s collection—like this iconic photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading marchers into Montgomery, Alabama, during the "Selma to Montgomery" march, or this photo titled Portrait of Three Children, by Jack Mitchell circa 1960. Explore the collection together with your kids.

Hyde Addison teachers have compiled a list of their favorite books to celebrate Black History Month. Please see below.

Many books on this list are available as read-alouds on YouTube. Celebrate Rosa Parks Day on February 4 with this read aloud of Rosa by Nikki Giovanni and illustrator Bryan Collier.

Also, check out Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea, read by author Meena Harris and inspired by a true story about her mother Maya Harris and aunt, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Did your student celebrate any holidays or traditions related to their culture, race or ethnicity this month? Please share any photos or videos related to your celebrations via email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

February

Black History Month (February 2022)

Chinese New Year (February 1, 2022)

National Freedom Day (February 1, 2022)

Rosa Parks Day (February 4, 2022)

Nirvana Day (February 15, 2022)

Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday (February 15, 2022)

World Day of Social Justice (February 20, 2022)

Lailat al Miraj (February 28, 2022)

Disclaimer: The Hyde-Addison ES Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force is an independent group not associated with DCPS and any viewpoints or activities associated with this group are not endorsed by DCPS.