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.
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)
National Museum of African American History
“Talking about Race” web portal Learn more here
Antiracist Allyship Starter Pack
Resources compiles by Tatum Dorrell, Matt Herndon, and Jourdan Dorrell 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
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
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)