When reading this I want to remind you I’m not trying to lead any type of anti-racism work as I am no expert. I’m just here ready to start learning and start making changes, beginning at home.
When this all started I thought, well, since I'm not a racist person that should be enough right? Now I know that no, it’s not. One of my focuses right now is figuring out how to appropriately and pro-actively have discussions about race with my kids as they grow, learn more about white privilege, explore the more subtle ways people can be racist, and figure out some ways I can help get involved in our local community.
Below you will find books and resources that you might find helpful. I’m sharing tools, sharing creators, and sharing resources which were all created by Black authors and educators. This might be uncomfortable work for some of us, but my main goal is not to make this a trend. Not only on Mrs. Nipple but more importantly in how I mother.
TO EDUCATE YOURSELF:
READ OR LISTEN
Me and White Supremacy BY Layla f. Saad
How to be an Anti Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped (for middle readers but also great for adults) Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Between the World and Me Ta-Nehisi Coates
WATCH:
13th a documentary on Netflix
WITH YOUR KIDS:
First I want to say do what feels right for you. There are going to be many resources popping up here and there but you know your kids best. A large percentage of children’s shows and books are made up of white children or animals/trucks etc. The same goes for television shows and kid's movies. I had not previously made an effort to proactively incorporate different cultures and races into my children’s daily lives, but I am now. Some changes include incorporating some new books into our library, starting a new show, and proactively having this mindset of inclusion moving forward.
WATCH
Charlie started the show Doc McStuffins last week, which is centered around a black six-year-old girl. He loves it!
Sesame Street is having a “town hall” at 10 a.m. on Saturday addressing racism for kids and families. It’s called Standing up to Racism.
READ
Here are some books we ordered and I added in some extra as well. You can also order a great selection of books at this black female-owned online bookstore HERE. @Hereweeread It’s so well organized offering so many diverse and inclusive book options.
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Mae Among the Stars By Roda Ahmed
Let the Children March By Monica Clark-Robinson
A kids book about Racism By Jelanie Memory
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
Julius Lester Lets talk about Race by Karen Barbour
All kinds of people by Shelly Rotner and Sheila Kelly
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
We’re different We’re the same Sesame Street
To educate your children around anti-racism: I know many of you have toddlers and babies but it’s never too early to start exposing your children to all different races and cultures. HERE is a great tool you can use in addition to books as a check-in tool until your kids are a bit older. The resource you can download online is called,
“A White Families' Guide to Talking About Racism”
Again, it’s very straight forward but can spark some really great conversations. There is no appropriate starting age, it’s more about how you choose to use it as your child’s parent. I think elementary school is when I’ll use it with Charlie at a more in-depth level. It was developed by, Naomi O’Brian and LaNesha, two female educators. They have 24 years of teaching experience between them. I downloaded the guide and could see how it could be a very useful tool. I chose two slides to speak to Charlie about (he is only three). It was a good check-in tool. As he grows I will use more and more of this resource. Click, HERE, to see some sneak peeks of the resource. This is definitely a tool for families that are ready to really get into racism if you’re not there yet start with just introducing books etc.
A little message from the creators,
“We are parents, too. We understand these conversations might be hard. It is hard for us on the opposite end having conversations about experiencing racism with our kids. We are happy you are committed to doing this work with your young children. We promise it is going to feel more uncomfortable for you than it is for them. You are not harming your kids. You are empowering them. You are teaching them. You are giving them the gift of awareness and the chance to use their white privilege in the best way; to fight racism.”