Race and Racism

Children are aware of racial differences as early as infancy. Although parents may feel uncomfortable talking to their children about race, these are important conversations to have. No one is colorblind. It is crucial to teach children to appreciate and respect differences. 

Montana is a state that lacks racial diversity. Children of color growing up in Montana commonly feel isolated or misunderstand since they are often the one of only a handful of black or brown students in their class or school. Children of color also get bullied at higher rates than their white peers. It is important the parents, teachers, and other professionals take on responsibility for educating children about race and raising an informed and socially-minded next generation.

Websites

Embrace Race: This website is full of articles and think-pieces to help parents raise racially-conscious children. 

National Diversity Council: This website serves as a resource for promoting diversity in our local communities.

Teaching Tolerance:  This website contains resources that can spur discussions around implicit bias and systemic racism.

Podcast

Supporting Kids in Times of Radicalized Violence: The EmbraceRace Podcasts speaks with child psychologist Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith and educator Dr. Sandra "Chap" Chapman on how to support children. 

Articles

Racism and Violence - Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five: Zero to Three's article provides tips for talking to young children about racism in age appropriate ways.

How to Talk Honestly with Children about Racism:  PBS Kids for Parents has information and tips on the subject.

How to Talk to Your Children about Thanksgivings Ugly History: This opinion piece from the Los Angeles Times discusses how parents can educate their children about thanksgiving as well as includes helpful resources and children's book for doing so. 

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: This article from Peggy McIntosh illuminates common, everyday instances of white privilege.

How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Racist: This article discusses actions parents can take to raise a race-conscious child. 

100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice: This article provides great conversation starters for parents to keep a healthy dialogue with their children about race. 

Preparing to Discuss Race and Police Violence in the Classroom: This is a lesson plan from the District of Columbia public schools meant to help teachers facilitate a discussion about race and police brutality. 

Books

31 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance: A book list from Embrace Race that can spark a conversation about race with your children or keep the conversation flowing.

Movie Recommendations:

The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

Videos:

 The Atlantic short video highlights some important points on how to talk about race. 

By middle school, children are aware of and impacted by racism in their everyday lives. This video lets those children speak for themselves. 

 Hear from four native youth about what needs to be done to abolish racism in schools.

Parents explain to their children how to interact with police.

Teaching Your Kids How to Handle Racism: This brief video from Kids in the House covers how to teach your children to address and cope with racism. 

Montana Racial Equity Project: This statewide nonprofit organization educates and trains groups and organizations on how to invest in interrupting racism and prejudice through workshops training, classroom dialogues, and more.

Black Student Union: A student activism group through the University of Montana.

Electronic Resources

Websites

Embrace Race: This website is full of articles and think-pieces to help parents raise racially-conscious children. 

National Diversity Council: This website serves as a resource for promoting diversity in our local communities.

Teaching Tolerance:  This website contains resources that can spur discussions around implicit bias and systemic racism.

Podcast

Supporting Kids in Times of Radicalized Violence: The EmbraceRace Podcasts speaks with child psychologist Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith and educator Dr. Sandra "Chap" Chapman on how to support children. 

Articles

Racism and Violence - Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five: Zero to Three's article provides tips for talking to young children about racism in age appropriate ways.

How to Talk Honestly with Children about Racism:  PBS Kids for Parents has information and tips on the subject.

How to Talk to Your Children about Thanksgivings Ugly History: This opinion piece from the Los Angeles Times discusses how parents can educate their children about thanksgiving as well as includes helpful resources and children's book for doing so. 

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: This article from Peggy McIntosh illuminates common, everyday instances of white privilege.

How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Racist: This article discusses actions parents can take to raise a race-conscious child. 

100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice: This article provides great conversation starters for parents to keep a healthy dialogue with their children about race. 

Preparing to Discuss Race and Police Violence in the Classroom: This is a lesson plan from the District of Columbia public schools meant to help teachers facilitate a discussion about race and police brutality. 

Books

31 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance: A book list from Embrace Race that can spark a conversation about race with your children or keep the conversation flowing.

Movie Recommendations:

The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

Videos:

 The Atlantic short video highlights some important points on how to talk about race. 

By middle school, children are aware of and impacted by racism in their everyday lives. This video lets those children speak for themselves. 

 Hear from four native youth about what needs to be done to abolish racism in schools.

Parents explain to their children how to interact with police.

Teaching Your Kids How to Handle Racism: This brief video from Kids in the House covers how to teach your children to address and cope with racism. 

Montana Racial Equity Project: This statewide nonprofit organization educates and trains groups and organizations on how to invest in interrupting racism and prejudice through workshops training, classroom dialogues, and more.

Black Student Union: A student activism group through the University of Montana.