How to Raise Socially Conscious Anti-Racist Kids
My personal journey to raise socially conscious, anti-racist kids began when my own mother went on the journey to raise me. And she passed on a rich tradition of civic participation and social consciousness from those that came before her. My own socially conscious, anti-racist attitude stems from the expectation that one must balance the awareness of potential barriers without being crippled by them; so that we are prepared and empowered to do our part to make our world better for everyone. |
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On this journey, I realized that not every family raises their children with a clear understanding or appreciation of history, race, and civic engagement and most schools are not equipped to take on this work in ways that are most meaningful to their student populations. It has been my mission to help parents and educators as they cultivate civic pride, civic engagement, and civic empathy in young people.
What sits at the center of raising socially conscious, anti-racist kids? An openness to the possibilities of different perspectives and lived experiences. As we pursue justice in our homes, our communities, and our schools we must challenge our biases, challenge each other, and build welcoming, collaborative spaces.
What sits at the center of raising socially conscious, anti-racist kids? An openness to the possibilities of different perspectives and lived experiences. As we pursue justice in our homes, our communities, and our schools we must challenge our biases, challenge each other, and build welcoming, collaborative spaces.
Resource List
One book, one conversation, or one immersive experience is NOT enough to equip ourselves or our kids to contribute to a more equitable, anti-racist world. This is ongoing work that requires each of us to challenge our biases, the media we consume, the conversations we hold with each other, and the way our votes support policies that prevent access to other people near and far. Let's take that learning journey together!
Learning to Speak the Same Language
You hear terms in the media, in books, or in conversation, but what do they actually mean? These resources can provide clarity.
Books for All Age Groups
Keep reading for deeper understanding!
Keep exploring narratives that are not your own.
Keep exploring narratives that are not your own.
- Books for Littles, Igniting the Kind and Vibrant Leaders of Tomorrow (Books for Littles)
- Multicultural Children’s Books (Multicultural Children's Book Day)
- 22 Diverse Book Choices for All Grade Levels (Edutopia)
- 100 Children’s Books about Diversity and Inclusion (The Art of Education University)
- Social Justice books for teens (Boston Public Library)
Podcast Episodes on Race, Justice, and Privilege
- Talking to Kids… About Race - Let’s K12 Better Podcast (family-friendly 3rd -12th grade)
- Let’s Talk About… Blackface - Let’s K12 Better Podcast (family-friendly 4th - 12th grade)
- Hate, Hurt, Healing & Hope: AAPI Educators Teaching for Justice - Let’s K12 Better Podcast (family-friendly 3rd -12th grade)
- Understanding Privilege + Centering Empathy | Episode 222 - Edit Your Life Podcast
- Seizing Freedom - NPR
- Seeing White Podcast - Scene On Radio
Understanding Privilege. Understanding Whiteness.
This is a complex, possibly uncomfortable but absolutely necessary conversation and awareness.
- The White Trash Trope and its Real Hidden Agenda via The Take
- White immigrants weren’t always considered white — and acceptable by Brando Simeo Starkey
- What is Whiteness? by Nell Irvin Painter
- Talking About Race - Whiteness via National Museum of African American History & Culture
- Column: In the midst of a racial reckoning, I’m wondering: What does whiteness mean? by Frank Shyong
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
- Who Gets to be White? A Semi-Brief History of Whiteness in the United States via Exponent II
- Multiracial in America: Who Gets to be White? By Jeremy Gordon
- Why White School Districts Have So Much More Money By Clare Lombardo
Understanding Privilege. Understanding Power.
How does access create more opportunity and even more access?
How does that impact different people in different ways?
How does that impact different people in different ways?
- How to Understand Power by Eric Liu
- Faces of Power via The New York Times
- Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Gender and Parenting in America By Nefertiti Austin
- How the nation’s growing racial diversity is changing our schools via The Washington Post
- Stop Acting Like Racism Ends With This Election By Brian Peterson
- The LA Times’ Reckoning on Race and Our Commitment to Meaningful Change By Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong
- Two-Decades After September 11th, Muslim Americans Still Fighting Bias via The Associated Press
- Key Moments In The Dakota Access Pipeline Fight via NPR
Toolkits Celebrating Heritage and History
- Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Black History Month
- Celebrating Hispanic and Latina Heritage (coming soon)
- Indigenous People's Month (coming soon)
Let's K12 Better Newsletter - get tips, journal prompts, information and more to help you on the learning journey!
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