During this incredibly confusing and horrific time in our history, we wanted to share some terrific resources for thinking about all that is going on with our country at this time, and also some hopefully helpful resources for talking to your kids. We are happy to add others, so feel free to email us at [email protected] any time.
CNN and Sesame Street Town Hall on Racism (June 6th, 2020) – Click here
Parent Resources (thank you to the Westport School System): Topics surrounding race, equity and inclusion can often be difficult conversations for parents/guardians to have with their children, but it is important for these conversations to take place. Here are several helpful resources:
- Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice (Southern Poverty Law Center)
- How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism (NBC News Learn)
- Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids (Center for Racial Justice Education)
- Social Justice (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Talking Race with Young Children (National Public Radio)
- Talking to Kids About Discrimination (American Psychological Association)
Here is a current newsletter from Facing History and Ourselves (A Social Studies Curriculum resource): https://facingtoday.facinghistory.org/bearing-witness-the-death-of-george-floyd
- https://www.theconsciouskid.org
- https://www.embracerace.org/
- http://www.raceconscious.org/
- https://www.parenttoolkit.com/
- https://www.641isunjust.com/
- https://www.prettygooddesign.org/blog/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-5new4
- http://www.childrenscommunityschool.org/social-justice-resources/?fbclid=IwAR37PWDJSNV3HiG5Rp9sgezRAW80UtggMrCfntubK6euibscUgsw4607fAQ
- https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/resources-for-talking-about-race-racism-and-racialized-violence-with-kids/
Talking to children after racial incidents
- https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/talking-children-after-racial-incidents
- Not My Idea: A Kid’s Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham.
- A Kid’s Book about Racism by Jelani Memory
Having ‘The Talk’: Expert Guidance On Preparing Kids For Police Interactions
Supporting Kids Of Color In the Wake Of Racialized Violence
Talking to Kids about Racial Violence
7 Reminders for White Parents Talking to Their Kids About Police Killing Black People
- https://www.yesmagazine.org/democracy/2017/07/10/7-reminders-for-white-parents-talking-to-their-kids-about-police-killing-black-people/
- https://childmind.org/blog/talking-kids-race-violence-america/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnaltG5N8nE
Something Happened in our own town is a story about racial injustice and police brutality.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whR_JIzknpo
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/06/04/george-floyd-black-lives-matter-police-james-blake-column/3134161001/ – Tennis player and former Westporter, James Blake’s, story
Book Recommendations
- The World Needs More Purple People – Kristin Bell
- Chocolate Me by Taye Gibbs
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
- If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
- Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Additional Resources Shared by our Community
-
Anti racist articles and talks by Yale’s Dena Simmons
-
Information on public housing in Fairfield County by Yale Law’s Anika Singh Lemar
-
The Two Schools challenge focused on school integration:
- Just Mercy (the movie)
- Resources from The Obama Foundation
- The Norwalk Housing Authority Scholarship Fund has been working for years to break the cycle of poverty. By investing just a little bit in the kids who live in public housing to attend college and vocational training, they ensure that these kids exit public housing – good for families and good for tax payers. They grant 40+ scholarships each year and sometimes as little as $1,000 for books or extra expenses makes a huge difference between attending and not attending school.
- Carver Center – most have not heard of this wonderful organization dedicated to closing the opportunity gap. Novelette Peterkin, the Executive Director, is an amazing resource.
- If any high school or college aged children are interested in interning or volunteering on a political campaign, please feel free to contact Stephanie Thomas at [email protected]