How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter

By Laleña Garcia
Illustrated by Caryn Davidson

Ebook

View the Teacher's Guide

When the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013, the three founders—Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Ayo Tometi—anchored its work in a list of guiding principles, developed through conversation with other activists. These principles commit the movement to empathy, loving engagement, and just action among its participants; affirm the importance of Black women, families, elders, and LGBTQ folk; and celebrate the strength and diversity of Black people in their communities and around the globe.

Now young people can explore these powerful principles in How We Can Live: Principles of Black Lives Matter—the first children's book to include material from the founders' organization, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. Created by two teachers with more than thirty-five years of educational experience between them, How We Can Live presents the guiding principles in down-to-earth, child-friendly language, accompanied by vibrant portraits of real people—many of them present-day or historical activists for human rights and racial justice. Questions on every spread encourage discussion of and reflection on the principles, and supporting materials include an introduction for children that explains the history of the movement and its relevance for their lives, and an afterword for adults on how to approach the topic with children. An essential resource for anyone discussing racial equity with young people, How We Can Live offers a beautiful and inspiring lens on the most important social justice movement of our time.

Watch the launch event for How We Can Live featuring author Laleña Garcia, illustrator Caryn Davidson, and Cicley Gay, Board Chair of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation!