Teaching kids about race and racism - Resources for parents

You may have asked yourself if, or when, you need to talk to your child/ren about race. Studies have shown that race begins to become a factor in child development at just 3 months old (Kelly et al. 2005). So when it comes to when, the sooner the better. In fact, it not only needs to happen early, but continue as they grow and continue to experience new things.

Below are resources to help you discuss race and racism at home with your children. We have also compiled a list of resources for parents as it is not only important to teach our children about these issues, but also to get a deeper knowledge on systemic racism and anti-racism for ourselves.

*We will continue to update this post as we find new resources.*

Note: An extra step of support you can take. Links in this article support Black-owned small businesses, organizations, and creators. We are not affiliates and do not get a commission for any of these recommendations.

Resources for Parents to Talk to Their Children About Race, Racism and Anti-Racism:

Literature:

• They're Not Too Young to Talk About Race By The Children's Community School (infographic)

• A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory (Book)

• This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell (Book)

• How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help By Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (Article)

• Let the Children March By Monica Clark-Robinson (Book)

• A is For Activist By Innosanto Nagara (Book)

• The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist By Cynthia Levinson (Book)

• We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices Edited By Wade Hudson & Cheryl Willis Hudson (Book)

Organizations/Educators To Learn From And Support:

• The Conscious Kid / @theconciouskid: An education, research, and policy organization dedicated to reducing bias and promoting positive identity development in youth. We partner with organizations, children’s museums, schools, and families across the country to promote access to children’s books centering on underrepresented and oppressed groups.

• Dr. Traci Baxley / @socialjusticeparenting

Resources for Parents to Educate Themselves on Racism, How to Be an Anti-Racist and Other Supporting Resources:

Literature:

• We Need More White Parents to Talk to Their Kids About Race. Especially Now. by Chandra White-Cummings (article)

• How to Be an Anti-Racist By Ibram X. Kendi (Book)

• Between the World and Me By Ta-Nehishi Coates (Book)

• Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race By Beverly Daniel Tatum (Book)

Videos/Films:

• Is My Skin Brown Because I Drank Chocolate Milk? (Video) By Beverly Daniel Tatum

• Social Justice Parenting By Dr. Traci Baxley

• American Son By Director Kenny Leon

• 13th By Director Ava DuVernay

Podcast:

• Pod Save The People

Organizations/Educators To Learn From And Support:

• Rachel Elizabeth Cargle / @rachel.cargle: Rachel Cargle is a public academic, writer, and lecturer. Her activism and academic work are rooted in providing intellectual discourse, tools, and resources that explore the intersection of race and womanhood.

• The Great Unlearn: A community of everyday human beings committed to curiosity for what is possible in the world. Monthly self-paced syllabi curated by Rachel Cargle.

• Dr. Traci Baxley / @socialjusticeparenting: Speaker. Belonging Advocate. Transracial Family Coach. Creating space for belonging at home while raising children who create belonging in the world.