Time’s Up! A call to commit to culturally-affirming SEL practices

Time’s Up! A call to commit to culturally-affirming SEL practices

Started
January 30, 2021
Petition to
CASEL and 8 others
Signatures: 75Next Goal: 100
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Why this petition matters

Started by Byron McClure

Racial equity, justice, and culturally-affirming practices must be at the core of SEL. 

As the Founder of Lessons For SEL, I am calling for action to fully commit to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) practices that are culturally-affirming across the country. I am urging that racial equity, justice, and culturally-affirming practices be at the core of SEL.

The persistent unjustified lynchings of Black persons (such as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tamir Rice, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Michael Brown, to name a few), the insurgence on the Capitol on January 6th, discriminatory educational practices and policies, as well as the prevalence of racism and white supremacy culture within education are beyond problematic and lead to inequitable outcomes for Black youth. These are reminders of the reality of continued systemic racism and our nation’s deeply embedded inequities and prejudice that far too often end in unjustifiable, heartbreaking tragedy for a Black individual, their family, and their community.

Now is the time to commit to culturally-affirming SEL practices. Now is the time for district leaders, school leaders, large organizations, and institutions, as well as providers of SEL programs, to unapologetically commit to centering racial equity, justice, and liberation at the core of SEL. To be clear, this call to action demands a commitment that is more than performative, and it requires action.

The time for action is now, so here is my proclamation -- time is up for outdated, inequitable policies that have historically marginalized and perpetuated harm to Black and Brown youth. Here is a collective call to SEL leaders, organizations, and institutions to commit to culturally-affirming SEL practices. 

Will you answer the call?

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Signatures: 75Next Goal: 100
Support now
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