Statement on the New Zealand Attack

We stand in solidarity with Muslim communities across the world in the wake of last week’s horrific attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. This moment is made all the more challenging because of the white supremacy, including Islamophobia, that echoes from the highest echelons of our own government. We recommit ourselves to continuing to work with school communities to ensure that every child feels secure and honored at school. 

Morningside Center is heartened by the leadership of New York City public schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, who has made it very clear that our schools must welcome people of all religions, races, ethnicities, and gender identities, and that we must ensure a safe and supportive space for every child. As always, we celebrate the thousands of talented educators who are working quietly and diligently every day to create classroom communities that foster a sense of belonging for every single child.

Please see resources available on TeachableMoment to help educators build classroom community, counter bias, and discuss upsetting events like this one. Let us know how we can support your efforts to make our schools a place where hate has no home.

Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility

Helpful links from TeachableMoment:

• Discussing Tragic Events in the News
• Activities to Counter Anti-Muslim Bias

Other organizations with helpful resources:

• Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Southern Poverty Law Center and Teaching Tolerance