Overdue Conversations: What Should Black Teachers Teach Black Students About Political Violence?

Classroom Discussion Questions: Put students in small groups or discuss as a whole class:

• Why do you think leaders like King, Malcolm X, and Newton were targeted by violence?
• How does political violence affect communities beyond just the leader who was killed?
• What lessons from these leaders can we apply to our lives today?
• Can love, unity, and service really be stronger than violence? Why or why not?
• How can young people carry forward the unfinished work of these leaders?

By Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A.Ed., MAT 

Black teachers shoulder a profound responsibility in today’s society. Our children are growing up in an environment where violence is a pervasive reality, manifesting itself through various forms—whether it stems from governmental actions, extremist groups, or even within our own neighborhoods. Failing to address this harsh reality leaves our young people ill-prepared to navigate the complexities and dangers of the world around them. By engaging in open and honest discussions about these issues, we not only acknowledge the challenges they face but also equip them with the tools necessary for understanding, resilience, and ultimately overcoming adversity. These conversations provide a framework for our children to comprehend the multifaceted nature of violence, encouraging them to develop coping mechanisms that foster survival and growth. This approach not only prepares them for the realities they must confront but also empowers them to rise above their circumstances, cultivate strength, and transcend the limitations that society may impose on them.

It is essential to remind our students that political violence has deep roots in America's history. This appalling reality is highlighted by the tragic fates of iconic leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Huey Newton. Each of their lives was brutally cut short by gunfire, silencing voices that inspired millions to dream bigger and strive for justice. These assassinations were not merely personal losses but inflicted profound wounds on communities across the nation, leaving scars that continue to ache and resonate decades later. The lingering pain of those murders serves as a haunting reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for equality and the urgency of addressing the ongoing consequences of political violence in society.

And yet, each of those leaders left us lessons that go beyond death. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us that justice without love is hollow, that no matter how righteous our cause, it must be rooted in compassion, not hate. Malcolm X, especially in his later years, began to see the bigger picture of humanity across racial and national lines. He showed us that liberation for Black people is tied to liberation for all oppressed people. Huey Newton reminded us that revolution is not about destruction but about serving the people, feeding children, protecting communities, and building dignity.

These are not abstract concepts. They are practical directives for our students. When political violence takes leaders away from us, the word we must convey to the Black youth is that the struggle can never stop there. Violence can kill a voice, but it can never eliminate the vision. So what do we say to our students? That there is such a thing as political violence, and it tries and break movements by breaking bodies. But we also say that the work of justice proceeds through organizing, through education, through service. We say that they are the inheritors of a movement of resistance that will not be reduced to bullets.

We can't protect our students from the painful truth that America too often responded to Black leadership with violence. But we can provide them with the wisdom of the past: that love completes justice, that humankind goes beyond divisions, and revolution starts with the serving of the people.

This is what Black teachers have to write. Not to celebrate violence, but to help the next generation mend wounds, respect the dead, and forge a future where justice doesn't arrive at the barrel of a gun.