Social justice is the view that everyone deserves to enjoy the same economic, political and social rights, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender or other characteristics.
Right now your child may have a lot of questions about what’s going on in our country. Here are some resources and books to facilitate important conversations and connections.
Websites and Articles:
Anti-Racism Resources for All Ages An excellent collection of videos, books, articles, and lessons on anti-racism, activism, and critical race theory curated by Dr. Nicole A. Cooke of the University of South Carolina.
Five Ways to Reduce Racial Bias in Your Children (by Greater Good magazine): Trustworthy practical tips from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
Critical Racial and Social Justice Education Robin D’Angelo PhD offers resources, tools, and hand outs for parents, educators or anyone looking to learn about social justice.
Talking About Race (by the National Museum of African American History & Culture): This toolkit provides in-depth resources for caregivers, educators, and individuals to reflect on race, power, and privilege, all in the interest of having constructive, equity-oriented conversations.
Critical Media Project An indispensable collection of videos and activities focusing on how identity is represented and negotiated in media.
Social Justice Books (by Teaching for Change): Selected books for preschool and elementary aged children. This list of books intersects with all kinds of important cultural and social issues that will help your child build perspective.
Videos:
Helping Kids Process Violence, Trauma, Race in a World of Non-Stop News (Common Sense): Join child development, children’s health, and trauma-care experts in this practical talk about how parents and educators can help kids process potentially traumatic news.
Racism and Violence How to Help Kids Handle the News (Child Mind Institute): Learn about the best, research-backed ways to handle tough conversations with kids about racist violence in the media and news.
Reading List for Toddlers – Teens Available for Download
- A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
- Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP, Marietta Collins, PhD, and Ann Hazard, PhD, ABPP
- Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester
- We Rise, We Resist, We Raise, Our Voices by Wade Hudson, Cheryl Willis Hudson
- Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
- Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
- All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas