Resources for Teaching about Race, Anti-Racism & Violence

Addressing Racism, Bigotry, and Anti-Blackness in Our Schools

In May 2024 Superintendent Wayne sent a message to all SFUSD families and staff, calling out recent incidents of anti-Black racism in SFUSD schools.   Find the complete message and additional resources (posted May 13, 2024).

Dr. Wayne stated: 

Let me be very clear: There is no place for anti-Black racism or bigotry of any kind in our community.

In addition to anti-Black incidents this school year, there have also been instances of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian racism, and LGBTQ discrimination in our schools. It is distressing that in a district that actively works to implement anti-racist practices, our community experiences such behavior. 

As an educational institution, it is our responsibility to use these incidents as a teaching opportunity for students to understand the impact of their actions. At the same time, we need to make it clear that such actions are unacceptable and assign consequences as appropriate.   

• Please see these resources available for staff and families to address anti-Blackness and racism.

We mourn the loss of lives as war continues to unfold in the Middle East, and recognize the escalated conflict has an impact on our students, families, staff, and community. Members of our community may have personal connections to this situation and many of us are hurting. We hold everyone impacted in our hearts.

Please note that SFUSD does not endorse a particular political viewpoint, and the following resources are not meant to be exhaustive. 

Talking with Children about War

• This guide from UNICEF is geared towards younger children.
• This guide from the Southern Poverty Law Center includes many links and resources: Handle with Care: Supporting Young People During Crises

Addressing Anti Semitism in Public Schools

• The San Diego County Office of Education's guide for educators to address antisemitism contains resources from educational organizations, many of which are promoted and used by state departments of education and teachers across the country.

Countering Islamophobia in Public Schools

• SDCOE’s resource guide on supporting Muslim students includes a section about countering Islamophobia in schools.
• The Teach 9/11 with Compassion guide also contains resources that, while not specific to the war, may be helpful.  

Additional Resources

• Discussing the Israel-Palestine Conflict in the Classroom includes suggested resources and approaches for discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict with students - and acknowledge the complexity and challenges inherent in these conversations.

SFUSD recognizes news and experiences of ongoing violent incidents across our country has an impact on our students, families, and entire community, and is committed to supporting students as they process current events.  It is alway the time to affirm our anti-racist practices, build and strengthen the authentic partnership we develop with students, and help students to engage in deeper learning. 

See resources for educators and for families about talking with students about race, racism, and police violence, as well as resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing in the news.

This is also a time to continue to uplift and celebrate Black History - 365 Days a Year.  See SFUSD’s updated Black History Month Resource Guide.

The ExCEL team dedicates time to review and reflect on characteristics of White Supremacy culture and Antidotes to those characteristics.  We strive to provide concrete examples of practices we can implement in our day to day work together to serve students. 

We offer these resources for you to explore:

• White Supremacy Culture: Characteristics, Intersections & Antidotes
• White Supremacy Culture - Still Here (Tema Okun, 2021)
• Talking about Race: Whiteness (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
• SFUSD Black History Month Resource Guide (2022)
• SFUSD AANHPI Anti-Racism Playlist (2022)