Social Justice, Equity, & Inclusion

Resources for inclusion, social justice, racial equity, and an anti-bias, antiracist world

SPEAKING WITH CHILDREN

ARTICLES - RESEARCH
EmbraceRace with MomsRising: “10 tips for teaching and talking to kids about race”
Offering PDFs in both English and Spanish, this these multicultural organizations structure advice under ten topics:
  • Start early.
  • Encourage your child.
  • Be mindful.
  • Face and know your own bias.
  • Know and love who you are.
  • Develop racial cultural literacy.
  • Be honest.
  • Tell stories.
  • Be active.
  • Plan for a marathon, not a sprint.
Parent Toolkit: “How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism”
“There’s no such thing as ‘quick tips’ or foolproof advice when it comes to discussing the complexities of race,” the article reports. It collects conversation starters under six topics: 
  • Actually talk about it.
  • Set the example.
  • Navigate their curiosity.
  • Make it relatable.
  • Address mistakes.
  • Be an advocate.
CNN: “How to talk to your children about protests and racism”
In the wake of a video showing an unarmed, handcuffed black man named George Floyd gasping for breath as a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck, reporter Sandee LaMotte advises how can parents help their child (from infants to teens) navigate their distress. The link also includes a nearly two-and-half-minute video from Van Jones:
“40 million African Americans are heartbroken”.
WEBSITES
EmbraceRace
EmbraceRace is a multiracial community resource founded in 2016 by two parents (one black, the other multiracial black/white). Here, parents, teachers, and experts, support each other on racial challenges through a hundred and seventy+ original articles and personal stories and thirty+ Talking Kids & Race webinars.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture: “Talking About Race”
Since the National Museum of African American History & Culture was established in 2003, the most-asked question receive was how to talk about race. In 2014, the museum team launched the program “Let’s Talk! Teaching Race in the Classroom.” This online introduction provides tools and guidance to inspire meaningful thought and conversation.
VIDEOS - PODCASTS - MOVIES - TV
Zoom webinar recorded on Facebook: “Talking to Kids About Racism”
Dr. Kira Banks hosted a conversation on May 20, 2020, with a panel of parents and social justice leaders that included Bomani Johnson, Adelaide Lancaster, Nicole Lee, and Tim Wise. Each began by describing their own child’s reactions to current events and their family conversations that followed. Length is one-hour-and-sixteen-minutes.
NPR audio: “Talking Race With Young Children”
This twenty-minute audio segment features Sesame Workshop and Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?. The report opens with “Kids are not color blind, so don’t be color silent,” and discusses five key topics in parenting on race.
NPR and KQUED audio: “‘Raising White Kids’ Author On How White Parents Can Talk About Race”
Host Michel Martin talks with Jennifer Harvey, author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America. In this seven-minute audio segment, Martin begins, “By now [May 31, 2020], we assume most people have heard about the talk―that's the conversation many African American parents have with their kids about how to avoid altercations with police or what to do and say if you're stopped. But with the recent unrest sparked by anger over police brutality against black men, it got us thinking about the role that white parents could play in talking to their kids about race.”
RESOURCE LISTS
American School Counselor Association: “Race and Equity Resources”
“School counselors are advocates for the equitable treatment of all students in school and in the community,” the site states. The extensive list of links ranges from news articles, webinars, podcasts, and blogs to a variety of organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Association of School Psychologists. It notes that additional resources are regularly added.
OTHER TOOLS
The Children’s Community School infographic: “They’re not too young to talk about race!”
This one-page, printable PDF breaks down how children have the ability to perceive physical racial differences (before age two), form associations that lead to race influencing their decisions (before age three), and more (through ages six+). A resource list also highlights organizations such as:

FOR CHILDREN

WEBSITES
StoryCorps Griot​ 
StoryCorps describes its mission as preserving and sharing “humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and [to] create a more just and compassionate world.” The program started recording people’s experiences in 2003. Since then, more than half a million people have recorded. The initiative StoryCorps Griot (pronounced gree-oh) ensures that the voices and life stories of African Americans are preserved and presented with dignity
VIDEOS - PODCASTS - MOVIES - TV
The New York Times video collection: “26 Mini-Films for Exploring Race, Bias and Identity With Students”
“Teachers traditionally turn to literature, history, and current events to open up these conversations, but it’s always helpful to have a bigger toolbox . . .” states the article. From four different Times film series (2015–2017), this collection of twenty-six videos range from one to seven minutes apiece. A good starting point is “Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Racism,” which defines explicit bias.
LITERATURE
The New York Times: “These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids”
Author Jessica Grose writes, “. . . a way to raise children who are anti-racist is by making sure your home library has books with black people at the center of their stories.” She compiles suggestions from the talents of Chris Barton, Veronica Chambers, Matthew A. Cherry, Vashti Harrison, Anastasia Higginbotham, Ezra Jack Keats, Ibram X.Kendi, Brendan Kiely, Cynthia Levinson, E.B. Lewis, Oge Mora, Vanessa Brantley Newton, Jason Reynolds, Paul Ryding, Don Tate, Christine Taylor-Butler, and Jacqueline Woodson.
This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work
Author Tiffany Jewell and illustrator Aurelia Durand spark introspection, reveal the origins of racial oppression, and bolster readers with the knowledge and courage to undo it. This workbook is for anyone who lives in a racialized society—including children and families.
Colours of Us: “37 Children’s Books to help talk about Racism & Discrimination”
This multicultural children’s book list features picture books and novels about the past and the present. With suggestions for students of all ages, it features Randa Abdel-Fattah, Sherman Alexie, Selina Alko, Phil Bildner, Robert Coles, Sharon M. Draper, Mary Hoffman, Phillip Hoose, Christy Jordan-Fenton, Brendan Kiely, David LaMotte, Julius Lester, John Lewis, Kekla Magoon, Neesha Meminger, Asma Mobin-Uddin MD M.D., Walter Dean Myers, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Kadir Nelson, Marilyn Nelson, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Calvin Ramsey, Alexander Jason Reynolds, Faith Ringgold, Ilyasah Shabazz, Ntozake Shange, Margot Lee Shetterly, Nic Stone, Mildred D. Taylor, Angi Thomas, Duncan Tonatiuh, Desmond Tutu, Renee Watson, Carole Boston Weatherford, Jonah Winter, Jacqueline Woodson, and Paula Yoo.
RESOURCE LISTS
Medium’s NewSchools Venture Fund: “SEL Has Never Been More Important: Three Equity-Focused Tools to Use at Home”
“Even before the COVID-19 public health crisis, equity-minded educators recognized the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) in supporting students’ growth,” writes Cameron White. She shares three examples from NewSchools’ Ed Tech portfolio that can support educators in addressing the “digital divide” among children in white and wealthy families and children in black, Latino, and low-income families. While two of these tools (“Stop, Breathe, & Think, Classroom Wall Art” and “Sown To Grow, Check-in, planning and reflection modules”) are only accessible to professional educators, the first (“Yoga Foster, Meditation for Kids: Anxiety”) offers a three-minute audio exercise that can parents can share with kids.

FOR ADULTS

ARTICLES - RESEARCH
Medium: “Our Liberation Is Bound Together”
This three-part essay collection from Dr. Nicole Evans offers distinct female voices addressed to distinct audiences. Part one by Faybra Hemphill, who is black, calls everyone to action. Part two by Daisy Han, who is Asian American, calls on non-black people of color. Part three by Katie Kitchens, who is white, speaks about white silence.
Newsweek: “Even Babies Discriminate: A NurtureShock Excerpt.”
In Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman’s book, NurtureShock, they argue that many modern strategies for nurturing children backfire, like the assumption that white children see race only when society points it out to them. However, researchers argue that children notice racial differences and that silence (or over-generalizing about equality) make race a mystery that kids figure out on their own through observation.
America & MOORE, LLC: “21-Day Racial Equity 
Habit Building Challenge”
Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. offers diversity education trainings and workshops, research, and consulting. This twenty-one-day program asks readers to do one daily action to further their understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity. The challenge suggests a wide range of books, articles, podcasts, videos, observations, and other ways to form and deepen community connections.
VIDEOS - PODCASTS - MOVIES - TV
YouTube video: “Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses 'White Fragility'”
In this nearly hour-and-a-half video, Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism, reads excerpts from her book and focuses on the variety of ways racism can be internalized and manifest in everyday life. DiAngelo proves to be an engaging speaker―funny, poignant, and direct.
LITERATURE
The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness
​Author Rhonda V. Magee is a professor of law at the University of San Francisco. Through her hard-won insights, research, and mindfulness exercises, she helps readers develop the ability to heal from injustices, view others with compassion, and dissolve personal barriers to connect with people from vastly different backgrounds and viewpoints.
How To Be An Antiracist
Author Ibram X. Kendi's memoir begins by helping readers rethink their most deeply held and intimate beliefs about race and IQ and interracial social relations. For anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step of contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism
Author Robin DiAngelo describes the dynamics of North American white people being insulated from race-based stress through institutions, cultural representations, and dominant discourses. In turn, even a minimum amount of racial stress can trigger anger, fear, and guilt in them. DiAngelo offers how whites might build a stronger capacity to work towards racial justice
The New York Times: “An Antiracist Reading List” 
​Ibram X. Kendi’s book list combines “classics, relatively obscure works, and a few of recent vintage.” Talents include Glory Edim, James Forman Jr., Alex Haley, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Peniel E. Joseph, Audre Lorde, Malcolm XJonathan M. Metzl, Janet Mock, Suzanne Model, Toni Morrison, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Dorothy Roberts, Cedric J.Robinson, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and Wallace Thurman.
Picture
Ibram X. Kendi on books to help America transcend its racist heritage. ​
RESOURCE LISTS
Google Doc lista recopilada por Dra. Gabriela Kovats Sánchez: “Recursos antirracistas en español”
Esta lista incluye recursos del contexto estadounidense, latinoamericano y español ya que el racismo es un tema global y no exclusivo a los Estados Unidos. Estos recursos incluyen temas sobre las comunidades negras y los pueblos originarios.
Google Doc list compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein: “Anti-racism resources”
“This list is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work,” the authors write. Numerous resource lists include:
  • books
  • podcasts
  • articles
  • online videos 
  • films and television series
  • organizations available on social media
OTHER TOOLS
Experiment: Equity Literacy Institute and EdChange project: “Diversity Awareness Quizzes”
Paul C. Gorski’s site offers three printable PDF quizzes (each multiple choice and either two- or three-pages long) that can be taken by alone, with friends and family, or in a classroom/workshop setting:
  • Equity and Diversity Awareness Quiz (2017)
  • Classism and Poverty Awareness Quiz (2017)
  • Who Said It?: A Re-Perception Quiz (2013) Note: Literary fans will be especially drawn to this third quiz.
iOS or Android app: 
Liberate Meditation. For Us, By Us
“Liberate is the #1 meditation app for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color [BIPOC] community,” the introduction states. This site allows readers to explore meditations and talks designed for the BIPOC experience, meet the meditation teachers, and connect with people around the globe through Zoom community meetings.
Experiment: PROJECT IMPLICIT Social Attitudes
This site allows users to view content by selecting their preferred language and entering as a guest. Then users reach an introduction page and need to accept the disclaimer to proceed. Finally, users come to a selection list of Implicit Association Tests (IATs). Topics range from race, age, weight, disability, sexuality, and more. The Race IAT takes about ten minutes, and it is fascinating. Before taking the quiz (quickly sorting images and words to see if users have any automatic preferences between African and European Americans), users will need to first fill out profile questions.
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