We stand against hate. Together, we need to do the work to dismantle systemic racism.
The past two weeks have brought anti-Black racism to the forefront in our community. Police violence, brutality and overall ugliness are not an American problem – it is a global problem. In Canada, there are several cases of violence against Black and Indigenous people. Our families need to be part of the solution.
Here are some resources to share with your personal communities and families, especially the children and young people in your lives. While there are many resources out there, we have prioritized those written and developed by Black authors and activists. At Earl Haig, Black Lives Matter.
Resources for the littles
Videos:
- Something Happened In Our Town
- Not My Idea – A Book About Whiteness – a picture book read by a dad – Seriously Read A Book!
- A Kid’s Book About Belonging – YouTube
- A Kid’s Book About Racism – YouTube
Books:
- Dancing in the Wings (Debbie Allen)
- Dream Big, Little One (Vashti Harrison)
- I am Enough (Grace Byers)
- Princess Truly series (Kelly Greenawalt)
- Richard Van Camp books (such as Welcome Song for Baby)
- Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged! (Jody Nyasha Warner)
- Last Stop on Market Street (Matt de la Peña)
- Don’t Touch My Hair (Sharee Miller)
- Not My Idea (Anastasia Higginbotham)
- Fresh Princess (Denene Millner)
- Hair Love (Matthew A. Cherry)
Resources for the grown-ups
- Black Lives Matter at School
- 2020 Curriculum Resource Guide
- Freedom School Toronto — Shop
- Raising Race-Conscious Children (Cup of Jo — Joanna Goddard)
Key concepts discussed: Naming and conversing about race with kids, useful books, seeking out diversity - 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say To Your Child To Advance Racial Justice (Raising Race Conscious Children – this whole website is excellent)
Key concepts discussed: Language to use when talking about race, privilege, gender/sexism, etc. - The Danger of Teaching Children To Be ‘Colorblind’ (Washington Post —Valerie Strauss)
Key concepts discussed: “Despite all our best intentions to avoid and mute any mention of racism, children learn about it from their environments. Not talking about color or teaching children to ignore it because diversity is only skin-deep will not stop the spread of racism.” - Je suis comme je suis ! – Le respect des différences (Lumni) (ressource en français)
- Are Your Kids Too Young to Talk About Race (Pretty Good Design)
- Anti-Racism For Kids 101: Starting To Talk About Race (Books for Littles)
Independent Bookstores
Local Organizations to Support
[Update: Find more resources on raising anti-racist kids here.]
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