Talking about Race, Racism, Resistance
Booklists
The Anti-Defamation League has curated booklists, summaries, and discussion guides that foster children’s positive self-concept and respect for diversity.
80 Books with Characters of Color from Common Sense Media and two great booklists from the Conscious Kid on confronting anti-Blackness and supporting conversations about race, racism, and resistance.
Children’s books are effective and practical tools for initiating critical conversations. Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.
Read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi alongside your tween. It explores the legacy of racism throughout the entire history of the United States of America. Further, it spotlights the work of antiracists and those who have resisted the racist ideas and policies that shape this nation. For guidance, check out this educator guide .
Stories of a Colorful World and Jambo Books are both subscription book services that curate diverse books for children. Kanika Mobley co-founder of Stories of a Colorful World is also one of our amazing volunteers.
Additional Resources
Children’s Museum of the Arts has compiled this list of resources regarding racial injustice for families.
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest from Education Week.
Visit Generation Citizen for resources, lesson plans, contests, and more.
Resources for Justice and Peace from the National Writing Project.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture has an online portal designed to help steer conversations about racism, racial identity, and the way these forces shape every aspect of society.
Watch this video of Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice to spur conversations with younger children about racism, injustice, and what they can do about it.
Listen to this 20-minute podcast Talking Race With Young Children as you think about how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.
Teaching Tolerance’s resources can help adults facilitate discussions about race and guide children/students through lessons on white privilege, economic inequality, mass incarceration, the complexities of identity, and more.