Repairing the world, tikkun olam, starts at home. Right now, even if it feels uncomfortable, it's important for families to talk about race and racism together.
Related: What is Jewish About Respecting Differences?
The following resources offer starting points for parents, educators, and caregivers about how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.
Since there is such a wealth of information available online, the PJ Library team has curated a selection for parents to get started with these discussions at home. This post is by no means an exhaustive list, and we will continue to update it as well as share pertinent posts, videos, and book lists on our Facebook page.
For Parents
Quick Links for Parents:
10 Tips for Teaching And Talking to Kids About Race via Embrace Race and MomsRising
An Anti-Racist Reading List via New York Times
They're Not Too Young to Talk About Race via The Children's Community School
Social Media Accounts to Follow:
Embrace Race has a wealth of resources, including free webinars, to "help parents practice raising and caring all kids, in the context of race." Follow Embrace Race on Facebook
The Conscious Kid is "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 underrepresented and oppressed groups." Follow Conscious Kid on Instagram.
Here Wee Read is run by a diversity and inclusion expert (and mom) Charnaie. The mission is to help fellow parents find diverse books, and educational products to help raise curious kids. Follow Here Wee Read on Instagram
For Children Under 5
Diverse Board Books for Babies and Toddlers
Early Childhood Books for Talking About Racial Identity via Social Justice Books
Multicultural Board Books for Babies via Pragmatic Mom and Multicultural Children's Book Day
Coming Together: A Town Hall on Standing Up to Racism via Sesame Street and CNN
Kids Ages 6 and Up
Curated Book Selections About Race and Racism via ADL
How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books and Resources That Can Help via Read Brightly
Picture Books That Help Children Tackle Race and Racism via What Do We Do All Day
Podcasts and Videos
Talking Race With Young Children via NPRHelping Kids Process Violence, Trauma, and Race in a World of Nonstop News via Common Sense Media
Jewish Voices
What We in the Black Community Need From Jews Right Now via The Forward
The Black Jews Are Tired via Reform Judaism
Try to See Me via Be'chol Lashon
Children's Books about the diversity of Jewish experience via Be'chol Lashon
More
Talking About Race via National Museum of African American History & Culture
Resources for Race, Equity, and Inclusion via We Need Diverse Books
How to Talk to Kids About Racism, Racial Violence, and Police Brutality via USA Today
Black Mental Health Resources via Sunshine Behavioral Health (scroll to the end of the guide for this section)
June 2, 2020