During this national period highlighting the topic of race and racism, it can be difficult to meaningfully engage youth into the conversation. Complex topics may be confusing or tricky for those of any age, but youth may be of particular concern. The Illinois After School Network is pleased to offer resources that can help guide your path to a greater understanding.
The Illinois AftersSchool Network stands in solidarity and supports Black Lives Matter! A link to the statement from the National AfterSchool Association is here.
Resources from Tolerance.org
Booklets
Download the Booklet: Lets Talk! Discussing Race, Racism, and Other Difficult Topics
Download the Booklet: Beyond the Golden Rule
Web Resources from Tolerance.org Learn more here
Video from PBS for Kids
Talking to Children Authentically about Race and Racism – webinar focused on parents of young children, hosted by PBS for Kids (1.02.05)
Listing of Resources for Parents & Students
A Google listing of various tools, videos, and resources. Learn more here
Chicago Public Schools Resource Toolkit
Say Their Names – A toolkit to help foster productive conversations about race and civil disobedience (CPS) lots of other resources in here! Learn more here
National Museum of African American History
“Talking about Race” web portal Learn more here
Black Lives Matter – Resources
A Google drive of downloads and resources pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement. Learn more here
How to Talk to Your Children About Race and Racism from CNN.com
Worried parents or caregivers struggle with how to protect their children from seeing the worst of the violence while simultaneously explaining the ravages of racism. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, while sheltering at home for months during the coronavirus event. Many parents or caregivers, stressed by juggling work and child care from home, had eased their restrictions on screen time for their children. Learn more here
Antiracist Allyship Starter Pack
Resources compiles by Tatum Dorrell, Matt Herndon, and Jourdan Dorrell Learn more here
White Accomplices
Opportunities for White People in the Fight for Racial Justice Learn more here
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture: new web portal “Talking About Race.”
“Talking About Race” provides digital tools, online exercises, video instructions, scholarly articles, and more than 100 multimedia resources tailored for educators, parents, and caregivers, as well as individuals committed to racial equality. In releasing this resource now, we hope to help individuals and communities foster constructive dialogues on one of the nation’s most challenging issues: racism, and its corrosive impact.’ Learn more here
Common Sense Media
Justice in June
This resource was compiled by Autumn Gupta with Bryanna Wallace’s oversight for the purpose of providing a starting place for individuals trying to become better allies. Learn more here
Don’t Look Away – Embracing ANTI-BIAS Classrooms
A resource book leading early childhood professionals to explore issues of bias, equity, low expectations, and family engagement to help them develop culturally responsive education experiences. Authors: Iheoma Iruka, Stephanie Curenton, and Tonia Durden. Gryphon House Press Learn more here
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
From Medium.com, they discuss how achieving racial justice is a marathon, not a sprint. Our work to fix what we broke and left broken isn’t done until Black folks tell us it’s done. Learn more here
21 Racial Microaggressions You Hear On A Daily Basis
From Buzzfeed.com, photographer Kiyun asked her friends at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus to “write down an instance of racial microaggression they have faced.” Learn more here
How We Can Win, by Kimberly Jones
Kimberly Jones gives a powerful, eloquent speech that needs to be heard by everyone, she explains in detail why this is happening (racism across 450 years) and the difference between protesting, rioting and looting in 2020.
Edutopia: A Guide to Equity and Antiracism for Educators
Teachers shaken by recent events and wondering how to work for change in our society and schools can start with these lesson plans, videos, and other resources. Learn more here
Suggested Books
“Between The World And Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, National Book Award Winner
“Small Doses” by Amanda Seales
“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle, specifically the chapter on race
“Born A Crime” by Trevor Noah, Best Seller
“Eloquent Rage” by Dr. Brittney Cooper
“So, You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
“Hood Feminism” by Mikki Kendall
“Little Fires Everyone” by Celeste Ng
“Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde
“White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
“Stamped From The Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award Winner
“The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.D. Du Bois
Organizations to Follow on Social Media
Antiracism Center (Twitter)
Audre Lorde Project (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
Black Women’s Blueprint (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
Color of Change (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
The Conscious Kid (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
Equal Justice Initiative (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
Families Belong Together (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
Muslim Girl (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
National Domestic Workers Alliance (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
RAICES (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
United We Dream (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)