Citing Charlottesville Unrest and its Harmful Effect on Children, First Book Provides Resources for Educators Serving Kids in Need

by First Book

Washington, D.C. - August 19, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Our nation is reeling from the unrest in Charlottesville and the hateful rhetoric that is reverberating across the country. These groups and their acts of bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, Islamophobia, transphobia, and homophobia are repulsive and counter to our belief in the fundamental rights that First Book has championed as leaders in the fight for educational equity.

Among those most vulnerable to this climate of violence and terror are our nation's children, in particular, children from low-income areas, including communities of color, immigrants, rural communities, and other underserved populations. First Book stands with these communities every day, providing desperately needed educational resources and supporting the heroic educators and other caring adults who work to lift these children up. These outrageous acts of hate are not only antithetical to all we believe in, but do insidious and lasting damage to these children, families, and communities – and to all of us.

First Book is committed to supporting those working in the lives of children in need with resources to help kids and families who are struggling. First Book will shortly announce an initiative to increase the supply of books and educational resources to elevate empathy and understanding, including diverse and inclusive books, and social and emotional learning guides to help children navigate their feelings and fears.

As a tangible next step, we are making a gift of new books to educators serving children in need in the Charlottesville area and beyond to help them begin to restore a sense of normalcy. We are in continuous conversation with our more than 325,000 First Book members across the country – the largest network of educators serving children from low-income communities – as to what they need and how we can best support them during this time.

We have seen first-hand the power of stories to blunt hate, create empathy, and change lives. That is our focus. Our responsibility to these children, families, educators, and communities is unwavering. As we reach this new level of crisis in our country, we are reminded that this work – while always important – has reached a new level of urgency.

First Book transforms the lives of children in need. Through a sustainable, market-driven model, First Book is creating equal access to quality education — making everything from brand-new, high-quality books and educational resources, to sports equipment, winter coats, snacks, and more – affordable to its member network of more than 325,000 educators who exclusively serve kids in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 160 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families in more than 30 countries. First Book currently reaches an average of 3 million children every year and supports more than one in four of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need. With an additional 1,000 educators joining each week, First Book is the largest and fastest-growing network of educators in the United States exclusively serving kids in need.

Note to Parents from The Ponder: Please make sure you check this out thoroughly before you let your child have one of these books. It is up to you to make sure they are not instructing your child in a biased way that does not include ALL hateful rhetoric, not just one group of individuals, or one Supremacist race.

Los Angeles Police Protective League Urges Hate Groups to Stay Home

by the Los Angeles Police Protective League

Los Angeles, CA - August 19, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In anticipation of potential rallies and demonstrations being organized by hate groups, the Los Angeles Police Protective League issued the following statement today:

"Our Constitution prescribes the right for even the vilest, repugnant, and hate-filled individuals and organizations to peacefully assemble and protest. As members of law enforcement, no matter how much we abhor and repudiate the beliefs of Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, Anti-Semites and the KKK, we are duty bound by the oaths we swore to keep the peace when these disgusting and despicable individuals congregate.

The recent events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia cannot be tolerated in our country and, make no mistake, there is no moral equivalency between Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, Anti-Semites, or the KKK and those that showed up to protest against them. The tragic murder of Heather Heyer and the line-of-duty deaths of Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke Bates should serve as stark reminders that good people, good Americans, must continue to stand up and stand for what is right and peacefully confront hate and hate-mongers.

We strongly urge any organization or individuals planning to assemble with the goal of re-creating the violence that occurred in Charlottesville, to cancel their event and stay home. We urge them to look into their souls and try to figure out where their hate is coming from and seek professional help. No one is born hating other people."

Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.