TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT
RACISM AND EQUITY
There are more than 2.5 million children in Georgia.
Black, Hispanic, Asian, Biracial children make up 56% of our child population.
What is Racism?
A belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race; the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another.
What is Equity?
The guarantee of optimal treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations, and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups.
Resources
For Children and Youth
Ages 3-7
Books
- A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagra
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
- Skin Again by Bell Hooks, Illustrated by Chris Raschka
- Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice
Video
- PBS Kids Read-Along of the children’s book “You Matter”
- Sesame Street’s “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism”, a town hall for kids and families
- Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, a children’s book read-aloud by author Joanna Ho
Activities
- Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center – coloring books, videos, poems, etc. along with other anti-Asian racism resources for youth – from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Ages 4-8
Books
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
- Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
- The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
- The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
- Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz, Illustrated by AG Ford
- Coming Home Soon, by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
- A Girl Like Me, by Angela Johnson, Illustrated by Nina Crews
- Hammering for Freedom: The William Lewis Story, by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Illustrated by John Holyfield
Ages 9+
Books
- All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
- Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Online
- A Teen Vogue op-ed, written by a student activist and community organizer, on how to take anti-racist action in your life
- The Conscious Kid website and Instagram provides recommended children’s books, infographics, and more
- Teaching Tolerance’s lessons spanning essential social justice topics, and reinforcing critical social emotional learning skills
Video
- Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness (ages 12 and older)
Get Involved
- Dear Asian Youth is a non-profit, formed by a of Asian youths striving to uplift marginalized communities through education, activism, and celebration
For Adults
Race and Anti-Racism Resources
Read
- The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services — Office of Prevention and Community Support, offers this article and list of resources for talking to your child about race and racism
- MENTOR, the national mentoring partnership, has released:
- A guide for adults supporting and serving young people who are navigating violence and trauma
- Resources for adults working alongside boys and young men of color
- Online modules for adults exploring their own biases and understanding of race and identity
- Anti-racism resources, specifically for white parents
- Child Trends provides caregivers with a foundation for speaking with children about racism and racial trauma
- PBS Kids for Parents offers a variety of anti-racism resources, for adults seeking to learn more as well as for adults seeking resources to help educate children on racism
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture —Talking about Race
- Center for Racial Justice Education has a great selection of resources for parents, including advice from experts, activities, articles, and more
- America’s Promise released a statement including resources, research, and a list of national youth-serving organizations
- The Afterschool Alliance provides resources for understanding and responding to incidents of bias
- An age-by-age guide on talking to kids about racism, from infants/toddlers to teens/tweens
- Another age-by-age guide on talking to kids about fighting hate and racism
- A shareable infographic on talking to your kids based on age range
Online
- I’m Helping My Korean-American Daughter Embrace Her Identity to Counter Racism
- Addressing Anti-Asian Bias Learning from Justice
- Anti-Asian Violence Resources
- Responding to Anti-Asian Violence and Georgia Shootings
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Therapist Directory – Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American (APISAA) Therapist Directory from Asian Mental Health Collective
- Anti-Asian Violence Resources Collection
Video
- Camara Jones TedTalk on allegories on race and racism
- PBS KIDS for Parents hosted this important conversation — featuring fellow parents, educators and child development and trauma experts — about how you can talk with young children about racial injustice and violence against Black people
- “Use Your WITS: How Asian Americans Can Respond to COVID-19 Discrimination”
LGBTQI Resources
Read
- Love has no labels: Educator’s Guide Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- Sexuality and Relationship Resources Youth Today
- Resource to promote belonging and inclusion Afterschool Alliance, National AfterSchool Association, & Every Hour Counts
Video
- Safe Spaces. Safe Places: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Traumatized LGBTQ Youth from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Lifeguard Workshop from The Trevor Project offers curriculum and activities to encourage empathy and create safe, life-saving classroom environments
Diversity
Video
- Webinars: Religious Diversity in the Classroom: Fostering a Culture of Respect Tanenbaum & Teaching Tolerance
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and actions that improve the lives of Georgia's children.