ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES
As people of faith, we claim that all are beloved children of God. We also confess that we and the systems we participate in and benefit from have not always treated everyone with that truth. As parents and grandparents, it is critical that we have open and honest conversations about race and justice with our children and grandchildren.
Use these resources to not only engage your children, but also to increase your own understanding and awareness.
READ
ARTICLES/WEBSITES
Children and Anti-Racism Toolkit (pcusa.org) - resources to raise children who will join the struggle for justice and equity for all God's people. Includes conversation starters by age, book recommendations, music, Bible stories, and prayer.
Talking With Kids About Racial Injustice (beamingbooks.com)
Justice Resources (City Service Mission) - a variety of books, documentaries, podcasts, and videos
Dismantling Racism Toolkit for Parents (Tulsakids.com) - a wealth of resources! Having conversations, learning, using media, book suggestions, etc.
Anti-Racist Key Parenting Actions - excellent examples of what to say to your children and how to say it. Also important information on how to be any ally.
How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism (Parent Toolkit)
The steps (broken down in the article):
-
Actually talk about it
-
Set the example
-
Navigate their curiosity
-
Make it relatable
-
Address mistakes
-
Be an advocate
Talking About Race (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
Help your child understand what race is, how it operates in society, and why race in America is important. Includes excellent videos to share with youth or use in your own learning.
Resources on Talking to Your Children about Social Justice (Children's Community School). Download this graphic - "They're Not Too Young to Talk About Race!"
Talking to Kids About Racial Violence and Police Brutality (USA Today)
Developmentally appropriate ways to talk about racism and police brutality.
Talking About Race: Resource Roundup (Pretty Good)
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (Peggy McIntosh)
How to Be An Antiracist panel with the book's author, Ibram X. Kendi (and check out the book too)
The 1619 Project (New York Times Magazine)
Re-examine the legacy of slavery in the US (also a podcast below)
BOOKS
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey (plus - check out the NPR interview with Jennifer Harvey below)
Essential Reading for Fighting Racism (Buzzfeed News)
Book recommendations for adults
Books on Racial Justice from the PC(USA) Store
LISTEN/WATCH
Two interviews with Jennifer Harvey on how white parents can talk about race:
Integrated Schools podcast episode
Talking Race with Young Children (NPR) - especially for parents of young children
How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time (TED, 17 minutes)
Being Anti-Racist: A Primer (Video by Synod of Mid-America, PCUSA, 10 minutes)
Watch a conversation between a mom and her child about justice, black lives matter, and police brutality
Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo (author of White Fragility)
PODCASTS
1619 Podcast (New York Times)
Code Switch (NPR) - contemporary news viewed through the lens of race and identity
MOVIES/SERIES with links to reviews from Common Sense Media
Just Mercy (PG-13)
The Hate U Give (PG-13)
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN/YOUTH
WATCH
Town Hall on Racism - Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism (CNN/Sesame Street)
What is Biblical Justice? (The Bible Project, older children and youth)
Systemic Racism Explained (video, 4 minutes)
Black Lives Matter: Videos for Kids (excellent playlist of videos for children and youth)
Privilege (video, 4 minutes)
Talking to Kids about Protesting (video of two books that explain what protesting is and why it is important, 14 minutes)
BOOKS
Books can be an effective way to initiate conversations about race with children and youth.
Sarah Rising by Ty Chapman - a child's view of a protest and an opportunity to consider why we protest racial injustice.
God's Holy Darkness by Sharei Green and Beckah Selnick
A Door Made For Me by Tyler Merrit
Native American Children's Books (firstnations.org)
Children's Book List (embracerace.org) - books primarily for ages 12 and under
Books to Teach White Children and Teens How to Undo Racism and White Supremacy (Charis Books)
Anti-Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi - board book
Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison, Jessical Ralli, and Isabel Roxas
22 Books About Hate and Prejudice (Parents' Choice Foundation) - includes selections for children as well as teens
A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee (ages 8+)
Book List for young children, elementary, youth, and adults
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (youth)
This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell