Lonnie Chavis Shares His Experiences of Racism

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School

Overview

In June 2020, Lonnie Chavis, the young actor who stars in This Is Us, wrote and published an essay called “America Needs to Change” about his experiences with racism. He wrote the essay in the wake of an ongoing public conversation and reckoning about the issue of police violence against Black people and systemic racism. Chavis has a unique point of view as a Black actor and as a young person who speaks directly to other young people and whose words may resonate more powerfully in that role.

In this activity, students will:

• Students will explore bias and racism by reading an essay by child actor, Lonnie Chavis.
• Students will reflect on their own experiences with or witnessing bias and prejudice and the extent to which anyone intervened.