If you know everything about everything already, then disregard what I write next.

[Puts on teacher voice, glasses, and cute booties]

I know many of us did not have a stellar primary and secondary school education in U.S. and world history and culture. Many of us did not graduate high school; fewer graduated college; and far, far less had the privilege of attending and completing graduate school.

Many of us may not come from families and communities from other parts of the world who shared memories and stories about radical and progressive organizing that inform our worldview.

The GREAT news is we have internet access—otherwise we wouldn’t be on here—and some folks who have had the privilege of access to education and care have created and developed free educational platforms and resources online.

So here is a week-long at home research project I would like to propose for you and those at home with you:

1. Read this article. Keep a notebook and pen/pencil with you.
   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/10/columbus-king-leopold-ii-statues-could-be-next-to-fall-black-lives-matter-protests
2. List all the names of historical figures whose statues have been removed.
3. When you have done that and completed reading the article, go to http://www.khanacademy.org
4. Search “colonization” and “imperialism” and “settler colonialism.” Watch at least one of the results that comes up for you. Take notes.
5. Then, every day, look up one of the names you have listed in your notes in Wikipedia, The Zinn Education Project (www.zinnedproject.org), and one other source of your choosing. Take notes.
6. Compare your notes from the different sources.
7. Discuss what you learned with a family member or friend. If you don’t have someone to speak with, send me your thoughts here or privately, and I’ll respond with my best GIF and favorite emojis.
8. Reread the article above from The Guardian. Free write for one minute your immediate thoughts. You don’t have to formulate perfect, complete sentences.

Good luck!

Also, if you didn’t know, black lives matter. Black lives are precious. Black lives deserve justice.