ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

Jun 25

The events of the past few months,

from the

disproportionately high impact of COVID-19 on people & communities of Color,

to the

elevated visibility of White Privilege by Amy Cooper’s weaponization of it through her racist threat to Christian Cooper’s life,

to the

horrific murder of Ahmaud Arbery,

as well as

the brutal murders by the police of Breonna Taylor | George Floyd | Rayshard Brooks

have (finally) activated us as

to acknowledge

the devastating effects of systemic racism & social injustice in our country.

At this pivotal moment when we begin to truly work together towards equity, anti-racism & social justice, our own life stories & experiences | lenses | privileges (that we have or have not been afforded) collectively impact the totality of our unique perspectives. This lens, through which we view | process | understand the world, is shaped by numerous factors all of which reflect the privilege from which we have (or, in far too many cases, have not) benefited. Privilege impacts the benefits-of-the-doubt, opportunities, forgivenesses and the pivotal moments in each of our lives very differently. In order for us to fully contemplate and understand the magnitude of systemic racism & social injustice, we each have an obligation to broaden our own lens.

Therefore, the anti-racism “work” we each must do differs greatly. From the vantage-point of my own lens | my perspective | the White privilege from which I have benefited throughout the course of my life, my focus right now is to listen | read | learn | engage in courageous conversations. I strive to grow as an ally | upstander | human by becoming better-informed and more impactful in how I use my voice & my actions and to be more intentional in amplifying the voice & works of others.

Below is a list of resources to guide your own personal anti-racism “work” & journey. We welcome feedback about this referenced material as well as suggestions of others to add to this evolving list.

SOURCES.

Many of these resources were curated from other anti-racism collections and personal recommendations, including but not limited to:

“Anti-Racism Library,” curated by LeanIn.Org. - CLICK HERE

“Protest Action Guide | Kids’ Nonviolent Protest Against Racism," curated by Jack & Jill Chicago Chapter - Kidsprotest.com or JackandJillChicago.org

“Privilege Checklist,” curated by @wellness_dialogues - CLICK HERE

“Anguish & Action,” curated by the Obama Foundation - CLICK HERE

“Amplifying Voices,” curated by Glennon Doyle - CLICK HERE

“Black Lives Matter: Movies, TV shows and books on systemic racism,” curated by c|net - CLICK HERE

FOR FAMILIES.

RACISM & SOCIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES.

Talking about Race & Committing to being an Anti-Racist, portal by the Smithsonian- CLICK HERE
Excerpts from the Jack & Jill Chicago Chapter’s Kids Action Plan
- Exhibit I: Racism is Wrong
- Exhibit II: Kids Stand Against Racism Pledge
- Exhibit III: Your Next Steps
"Here's How W. Kamau Bell Talks About Race with His Kids," The Tell Show
"Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt," Parenting Forward
"Talking to Your Child About Race and Racism" My New Life podcast episode featuring Julie Lythcott-Haims
"Talking Race with Young Children," NPR
"Tips for Talking About Race with Small Children," Third Space
"How to Teach Kids About Taboo Topics," by Liz Kleinrock
“Looking for Excellent ‘Diverse’ Books for Children? Start Here!” EmbraceRace
"Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup," by Katrina Michie
Supporting Kids Of Color in The Wake of Racialized Violence: Part One
“A Kids Book About Racism,” by Jelani Memory
Talking About Race with White Kids
Embrace Race
Know Your Rights
Social Justice Books for All Ages
Teaching Tolerance

SUGGESTED VIDEOS.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT DIVERSITY, RACE & INCLUSION.

Refer to Exhibit V for a list of Black-Owned Online Bookstores

“Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes,” by Mem Fox (Author) and Helen Oxenbury (Illustrator)
“I Like Myself,” by Karen Beaumont (Author) and David Catrow (Illustrator)
“A Kids Book About Belonging,” by Kevin Carroll

“Sulwe,” by Lupita Nyong'o (Author) and Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)
“Whose Knees Are These?” by Jabari Asim (Author) and LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)
“Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry (Author) and Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)
“The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson (Author) and Rafael López (Illustrator)
“I Believe I Can” by Grace Byers (Author) and Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator)
“Little Leaders: Bold Black Women in History” by Vashti Harrison
“My Hair is a Garden,” by Cozbi A. Cabrera
“Amazing Grace,” by Mary Hoffman
“I Am Enough,” by Grace Byers
“All Are Welcome,” by Alexandra Penfold (Author) and Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator)
“Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale,” by John Steptoef
“She Persisted: 13 Women Who Changed the World,” by Chelsea Clinton (Author) and Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)
“Chocolate Me!” by Taye Diggs (Author) and Shane W. Evans (Illustrator)