The Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction sent out a memo to top educators with guidance and support to talk about recent controversies in the state centered around racism and bigotry.
“In this twenty-four hour news cycle, we know that our students continue to be inundated with racist images linked to Virginia’s history of civil rights oppression. The recent revelations from some of our leaders have left our communities hurt and left our students seeking deeper understanding,” said Dr. James Lane.
In February alone, Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring admitting to wearing blackface in the past. Racist photos were uncovered in school yearbooks and students played a runaway slave ‘game’ in P.E. at a Loudon County elementary school.
“From our vantage point as educators, we must all join together to renew our commitment to equity and the elimination of racism of any kind from our public school experience,” Dr. Lane wrote.
CBS News recently visited 7th graders at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Northern Virginia, where they were already having discussions in civics class about the recent controversies.
“What exactly is blackface?” asked one student. Another 7th grader, Carey Heard said, “I started to be called the n-word at third grade and the school wouldn’t deal with it.”
Dr. Lane's memo provides teachers with an immediate path to navigate the difficult discussions, which includes a guide to talk about blackface, a list of recommended books for students and teachers as well as links to video lessons for students.
The lesson doesn’t end with racism. Dr. Lane also promised additional guidance to address healthy relationships and preventing sexual abuse, another controversy in the state involving Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax.