Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are doing well.
The work of Beverly Daniel Tatum, prominent psychologist, clearly
indicates that children are aware of racial differences and the impact of
racism at a very young age. Therefore, I
would like to take this opportunity to share with you some resources that may help
your middle school students (and maybe you) process and talk about complicated issues such as
racism, activism, and social justice.
CNN/Sesame
Street Racism Town Hall – This show was broadcasted yesterday, and it offered
answers to complex questions related to racism and protest delivered in manners
that are accessible to children.
Although Sesame Street characters are at the center of the show, the intended audience
is not just for young children. It
featured prominent leaders and scholars (like the previously mentioned Beverly
Tatum) who provided practical advice to parents and caregivers about how to
guide children through the complicated events that occurred during the past two weeks. The information and content of the show is
appropriate for middle school aged students as well. You may be able to get your teenagers to
watch it if you frame it as a way for both of you to take a trip down memory
lane to visit with Big Bird and Elmo.
Socialjusticebooks.org
– This website offers a collection of both fiction and nonfiction books for
children and young adults at various age levels on a variety of topics related
to social justice.
I would also like to recommend to you two books I read during the
past year that really challenged my thinking about racism and equality. The two titles are included below.
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram Kendi – This book
really probed my thinking about what is a racist and what needs to be done to dismantle
racism and push back against racist ideas.
Dr. Kendi was featured in Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast during
which he talked about some of the main ideas featured in this book. I included the link to the show here. It is definitely worth a listen.
Raising White Kids by Jennifer Harvey – I am married
to a white woman, and we are raising three biracial kids. This book really helped us think through the
privileges my children possess by being able to assume a white identity as well
as the responsibilities that come with those privileges to promote racial
equality. Dr. Harvey was also featured
in the aforementioned CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall. She touched on a few of the topics discussed
in her book during the show.
I hope you will find these resources to be helpful. Thank you and I wish you all well.
James Lin
Principal
McCall Middle School
