Talking to Students about Tyre Nichols
Facing History’s Dimitry Anselme talks to The 74 about how teachers can address Tyre Nichols’s death in the classroom while affirming students’ grief and anger.
Facing History is pleased to share this piece from The 74 by Marianna McMurdock that was originally published on February 2, 2023.
The 74: What have you been hearing from educators and students in the wake of Tyre Nichols’s death and the recent release of body camera footage?
Dimitry Anselme: Emotions. A lot of students and teachers are sad. They are frustrated. For many of them, this will not be the first time that they have to have a conversation in the classroom around an episode of police violence or police brutality, particularly targeted toward the loss of a life of a young Black man. So there is a sense of déjà vu and people are really exhausted. Episodes like this contribute to the sense of sadness and powerlessness, like, ‘Oh my God, how many more lessons can I possibly do on gun violence, or the loss of life of a young Black man, or another police brutality incident?’ It feels like it is nonstop.
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