This guide and the linked resources within it are designed to support open dialogue about discussing racial violence and lynching in the United States and specifically in Hamilton County, Tennessee. You are encouraged to use them in connection with the Ed Johnson Memorial and its accompanying written information.

The best way to begin these difficult conversations is to have tools and vocabulary available to clearly express the history of racial injustice and violence in age-appropriate and honest ways.

It is important to look at what we, as educators and learners, already know and what we need to learn about the history of racial violence in the United States.

Lynching and the discussion of these occurrences is often an uncomfortable and emotional endeavor.  Learning about lynching, slavery, and racial terror is difficult for people of all ages and should be approached with care and consideration.

Before you begin, check in with yourself—how are you feeling? Where do you need to be supported? What do you need to learn?

Create a safe space, without distractions, to find out what the youth in your life know or need to know about current events and issues like racial violence and lynching.  Most importantly, listen deeply and acknowledge their feelings.

Answer their questions as best you can—offer information in small doses, and research vocabulary, history and other resources like the ones in this guide to support them (and yourself) in understanding the impact of these events. If you aren’t able to answer their questions, be open about your own learning process and offer to find the answers for them.

Beyond terror and trauma are stories of resistance and resilience.

Work together to commit to action in ways that feel empowered and comfortable.  Action can look like many things, from protests and petitions, to speaking out to active listening. Reading books on relevant topics, listening to appropriate podcasts or documentaries or following activist and community leaders on social media are all action steps.  These actions are the foundation of positive change.