Jun 23, 2020 | News
Right now, it seems there are more public conversations about race and racism than ever, but the issues we’re confronting now are nothing new. Racism is real and always has been, whether we want to believe it or not. We know that as a school district, we can’t end racism and injustice on our own. But we can diligently work together as a community to learn and to grow as we pursue a better future for our young people.
BCPS stands together with our students, staff and families to move the conversation on racism, social injustices and police brutality forward — and we’ve compiled a list of resources for families interested in joining us in this ongoing journey to educate ourselves to create a more just world. This list is in no way exhaustive. There are so many powerful resources out there, but there are a few things here that we have found to be helpful and that could be a good place to begin.
Here are some resources on talking to your children about current protests and the current national crisis:
- How to Talk to Kids About Race, Privilege Amid George Floyd Protests
- How to Talk to Your Children About Protests and Racism
If you want a few titles to read with your child about race, consider these options:
- My Hair Is a Garden (2018) by Cozbi A. Cabrera (ages 4-8)
- Something Happened in Our Town (2018) by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard (ages 4-8)
- Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters (2013) by Andrea Davis Pickney (ages 6-9)
- The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist (2017) by Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley-Newton (ages 6-9)
- Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library (2019) by Carole Boston Weatherford (ages 9-12)
- Black Brother, Black Brother (2020) by Jewell Parker Rhodes (ages 9-12)
- Stamped, Racism, Antiracism and You (2020) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram Kendi (ages 10-13)
Shows and movies to stream at home with your family (Age recommendations are based on guidance from Common Sense Media):
- When They See Us (Netflix): A dramatic miniseries based on the true experiences of five young teens falsely accused of murder in the 1990’s, recommended for ages 14+.
- 13th (Netflix): This documentary about the history of racism in the criminal justice and prison system is recommended for ages 14+.
- Becoming (Netflix): Michelle Obama’s documentary which includes stories about her childhood growing up in Chicago is recommended for ages 9+.
- The Hate U Give (Hulu): Based on a young adult novel, this is a story about race and activism in the lives of teens. Recommended for ages 12+
- Hidden Figures (Amazon Prime): The inspiring true story of the black women mathematicians behind the first successful NASA space flight. Recommended for ages 10+.
- Teach Us All (Netflix): This documentary uses case studies to highlight educational inequality, 60 years after the watershed Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. Recommended for ages 14+.
For reading that provides a deeper exploration into race relations in this country, check these titles out:
- How to Be an Antiracist (2019) by Ibram Kendi
- Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change (2019) by Stacey Abrams
- White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism (2018) by Robin DiAngelo
- The 1619 Project (2019) by The New York Times Magazine
- “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (1963) by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
If you prefer podcasts, here are a few suggestions:
We strongly urge you to consider purchasing from local bookstores that can ship/deliver!