Articles and news stories are constantly pushing me to consider something new, broaden my perspective, or change the way I look at an issue. My husband likes to joke that my brain explodes with something new on a daily basis. These articles – and the brain explosions that result from them – are so beneficial for me that I wanted to create a place where I could share them, in case you might want to read them, too. Learn more about Things that Made My Brain Explode – and see past posts – here. 

Here’s a recent batch of Things that Made my Brain Explode:

• “In my desire to make sure this terrifying incident wasn’t swept under the rug — as has been the case with too many instances of racism at my school — I am mortified to admit that I dove headlong into this discussion without the care and planning it required. Doubtless, this reckless urgency was a manifestation of my whiteness and it did real harm to Cory and others.” Dangerous Discussions: Voice and Power in My Classroom. The most important thing I read this week.
• Read Across America Week is coming. Educate yourself. A Critical Race Reading of Dr. Seuss and Resource Guide for Read Across America Day 2018.

• ” ‘We were really aware in the beginning that it wasn’t going to be enough to be a really good school,’ said Alisa Nutakor, the school’s dean of students, as she wove through Ember’s bright yellow and red hallways. Instead, Ms. Nutakor’s goal was to offer minority students the same opportunities as white children in private schools.” A fascinating piece about how parents and educators, after watching traditional schools fail children of color for decades, are taking matters into their own hands. Who wouldn’t want their child to attend a school where they feel beautiful, powerful, welcome, like the center of the universe? ‘I Love My Skin!’ Why Black Parents Are Turning to Afrocentric Schools.

• Royal Girls spread “Prospectivity” through film. These beautiful young women were some of my first kindergarteners when I started teaching in Charlottesville. I’m so proud of their positivity and drive. They will change the world.

• “ ‘That lack of sight beyond or outside the white gaze is exactly what concerned my daughter about Northam. “A governor is someone that takes care of people and is helpful, but he was not helpful.’ Unlike mine, her conclusion that he should resign was not grounded in rage or a knowing eye roll. ‘Maybe they should choose a different governor because I can’t trust a governor who doesn’t help people, because sometimes people really need help.’ ” How Virginia’s blackface photos make me again wonder how much to tell my kids. Thank you again for sharing your beautiful insight, Taylor. We’re so lucky to have you.
• “Underqualified and underprepared men don’t think twice about leaning in,” they wrote. “Overqualified and overprepared, too many women still hold back. Women feel confident only when they are perfect.[…] We need to ask: What if school is a confidence factory for our sons, but only a competence factory for our daughters?” Why Girls Beat Boys at School and Lose to Them at the Office.

• “Send Nudes”: A New Study Shows How Often Boys Pressure Girls For Explicit Photos. You can’t stop it from happening, but you can have a conversation and make sure that your child knows what to do and how to handle it when it does.

• ” ‘That’s the whole idea; we have to give Black boys the space to dream and allow them to dream the dreams they want and not have society dream the dreams for them,’ says Bennett. ‘The NFL is 65 percent Black, the NBA is 75 percent Black, the tech industry is seven percent Black. Those numbers are so skewed that it’s just crazy.’ ” Former NFL Star Martellus Bennett Publishes Book that Encourages Black Boys to Dream Beyond the Stereotypes. Now THIS is worth a multi-million dollar paycheck.
• The Huffington Post is doing a very cool “We Built This” series for Black History Month, and this week’s feature on Well-Read Black Girl founder Glory Edim is such a moving and powerful display of reading and community. Well worth your time: Glory Edim is Building an Empire with Books By Black Women.
• Dear White People, Stop Making Racism About You. Funny title; powerful piece.
• “The common thread of my reading and experience was this: black children are not granted childhoods.” Raising a black son in the US: ‘He had never taken a breath, and I was already mourning him’. Grab your tissues. There is no such thing as other people’s children.
• In case you missed it: Donald Trump Jr.: ’You don’t have to be indoctrinated by these loser teachers that are trying to sell you on socialism’. Presented without comment.
• How to Help Teens Weather their Emotional Storms. I don’t mean to brag, but I keep a set of these glitter jars (we call them Calm Jars) behind my desk. Science and glitter – I’m on board!
• There’s space for everyone in YA lit: How Young Adult Anthologies Are Making Space For All Kinds Of Diverse Love Stories.
• There Are Two Kinds of People in This World: “Sorry” People and “Thank You” People. Which of these people are you?
• Downloadable STEM Role Models Posters Celebrate Women Innovators as Illustrated by Women Artists. Amazing artwork for such a cool reason! These might take over our doors for March, during Women’s History Month.
• It’s February 15th, and every day is a new opportunity of Black History Month discovery. Keep up with what’s happening in our library here.