As advocates and allies rise up to fight the deeply-rooted injustices of our country’s past and present, Mission remains committed to our responsibility to making change. For us, change has always been dependent on equitable and accessible education for all young people, and championing the belief that this will lead to a brighter, more inclusive future.
Now is the time to begin confronting the realities of systemic racism and resistance with our loved ones. For parents and caretakers who are struggling with how to begin speaking to children about these topics, we have pulled together a collection of articles, videos, and reading lists to ignite your conversations. We will be updating this list on an ongoing basis, as we continue to pursue these efforts within our own organization.
All of us at Mission hope these resources provide some meaningful guidance and support, as well as a reminder that you are not alone in this work.
Articles
'How to talk to your children about protests and racism' has helpful information on talking to both young children and teens, alongside links to various reading and resources.
For reflections on Black parenthood, read Clint Smith's article, 'Becoming a Parent in the Age of Black Lives Matter'.
This article on "Talking to Kids About Racial Violence" lists incredibly helpful advice on navigating these conversations, shared by a variety of different counselors, authors, and other experts.
The Child Mind Institute put together a guide on "Racism + Violence: Helping Kids Handle the News" that includes in-depth tips for parents and caretakers, as well as useful visual aids to help guide conversations.
PBS Kids released "Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism: A Discussion Guide" that lists helpful questions to begin your conversations, as well as important terms and definitions.
Reading Lists
Diverse Reads, Here Wee Read, and The Conscious Kid are all accounts sharing anti-racism reading lists and suggestions, as well as ongoing recommendations for keeping your bookshelf diverse.
Common Sense Media has shared a list of books on Black history for teens, as well as a comprehensive list of books on racism and social justice for all ages.
Word Bookstore has put together multiple lists on anti-racism and Black history for all ages. The lists included are How We Get Free, Black History Unheard Stories, Anti-Racist Teen Reads, Anti-Racist Reads for Kids 9-12 and 4-8, and Anti-Racist Board Books.
The Brooklyn Public Library has put together a Black Lives Matter reading list for teens including books in their catalog.
Listening & Watching
This powerful clip from an interview with Wes Moore speaks on setting an example for our children.
How To Raise Anti-Racist Kids (with Dr. Nzinga Harrison) is a podcast episode offering in-depth guidance and a starting place for navigating these topics with children.
Talking Race With Young Children discusses handling conversations with our youngest kids around race, racism, and inclusion.
Mental Health Resources for Black Individuals