Ms. Anderson's ATM

This Monday brings us a continued chance to celebrate Black History AND invite parents into our Zoom Rooms for NAAPID. Welcome everyone! I have included my library lesson below that examines different ways we can build an anti-racist community here at JMS. We can do this hard work together and make our school and community more just and inclusive. What does this look like? Well, reading! Reading some amazing books and maybe completing a reading challenge!

One of the books I talked about is the newest from Jacqueline Woodson. It is amazing.

I think I've mentioned that I am not a very fast reader. But I read Before the Ever After in one sitting. I literally picked it up, sat on my couch with my dog, and didn't move from that spot until I finished. I is just that good. Not only does Jacqueline Woodson capture the essence of a beautiful family she also shines a light on the damage to black bodies from professional sports. In this case, the father plays football and has suffered multiple concussions. This has left him with headaches, memory loss, and mood swings. His son grapples with the changes in his dad and struggles to see a path to the future. How will they survive?

In reality, it would be years before medical professionals and the football community would admit and come to terms with the long term damage to athletes--predominantly black athletes--from America's sport. If you are interested in the history and science of traumatic brain injuries on football players, then you should check out Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and the Football's Make-or-Break Moment.

As always, happy reading everyone!

Ms. Anderson