Here's an article that lays out a lesson for addressing the use of racist & dehumanizing language. It goes over questions and activities that can help students and teachers understand the impact and history of such words (specifically the N word). 

Of course, you may use this as is or choose specific areas from the lesson to use in your class, for example, setting boundaries and expectations for language. Such as explaining that although cultures may use language in different ways, and some may not be impacted by the use, there are others that are harmed by the use of the word. To keep all in the class safe and thriving, we will not use that language because it brings harm to the community, even if that was not your intention. 

You could also use this lesson as a format for having a proactive or restorative circle should students persist about using the language. Part of restorative circles is to bring students in on the conversation and allowing them to participate in difficult conversations. 

Here's a link to the Trevor Project, an organization that supports LGBTQIA+ youth. They offer resources for youth and adults in the area of suicide prevention, advocacy, education, crisis intervention and more. It is encouraged to explore their website to gain information for how to provide a safe space for our youth. 

In 2018, a few months into building a new school in Sugar Land, Texas, construction crews uncovered 95 unmarked graves. This wasn't a serial killer's dumping ground, but it was evidence of a particularly dark period in our country's history – evidence many in Sugar Land wished had stayed hidden.This is the story of these 95 people. Who were they? What happened to them? It turns out their story is just as much about them as it is about the people who have been trying to control them for over a century.Sugar Land is a production of The Texas Newsroom, a public radio journalism collaboration that includes NPR, KERA in North Texas, Houston Public Media, KUT in Austin, Texas Public Radio in San Antonio and other stations across the state.

Submitted By: Daniela Rubio

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As caregivers, community members, and early childhood educators, we have a responsibility to ensure each child, family, and caregiver is safe from racism and discrimination and has equitable opportunities to thrive. In order to do this, we must begin with ourselves. Set aside time in your day to do a personal inventory. What thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have you contributed to upholding systems of racism? What assumptions are you making? What actions or inactions have you taken that contribute to systems of oppression?

Educators play a crucial role in helping students talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination. Learning how to communicate about such topics as white privilege, police violence, economic inequality and mass incarceration requires practice, and facilitating critical conversations with students demands courage and skill. This guide offers classroom-ready strategies you can use to plan discussions and to facilitate these conversations with your students. We hope you find this guide useful and that you’ll share it with colleagues. And don’t forget to check out our related resources.

(The link to the guide is on the left side of the page in a PDF download)