4 INTRODUCTORY PRACTICES TO
TEACH RACE & JUSTICE TO CHILDREN
Though every family’s needs are different, here are some ways to begin addressing race with children that Nia House employs:
1- Books- Share books with diverse representations of children in their families and community. This can be simple board books that reflect diversity to more detailed stories. Make sure books show empowered characters of color. Stories can show people of color that are artists, scientists, fathers, mothers, friends, and more. Books lists are provided below.
2- Name Race- It is a gift to have a community to draw upon that reflects such diversity. Here is how a beginning conversation might go..
“Skin has melanin. Some people have more melanin than others. People that have more melanin have ancestors that come from hotter places. The melanin protects their skin from the sun. People with less melanin have ancestors from milder climates. More melanin protects from the hot sun and less melanin allows for more sun absorption.”
Do not shy away from talking about our differences. The Colors of Us is a lovely children’s book that explores all the beautiful shades of brown in a child’s community.
3- Injustice- Begin conversations about fairness. Your talk might sound like this…
“Historically, or a long time ago and even today, people are working as teachers and as freedom fighters so that all people- all our friends, neighbors, and community members, especially people of color (people with more melanin- shades of brown), are treated with love, kindness, and equity. There are some rules and some people (who are still learning) that make the world unfair. In our family and our community, we will always be teachers of peace. We will always work to keep one another safe and loved.”
Books that explore injustice in age appropriate ways are listed below.
4- Action- Make art or a sign to demonstrate solidarity and hang it in your home window. Write a letter to your mayor or representative on an issue of fairness. Make friends with a diverse group of people. Donate money and time to causes that empower the wellness of our local community’s people of color.
Like all parts of our curriculum, we know that topics need to be revisited and represented over and over again. There is no one lesson or talk that will instill understanding of this very complex and deeply emotional work. Children and adults will need to keep learning and growing our social justice practices.
We recognize there is an abundance of resources out in the world. This is a very modest and hopefully manageable beginning.
Book lists for children:
Books for Littles on Diversity
Children’s books to support conversations on race
Oakland Library Booklist on Race and Justice by age group
Resources on Social Justice and Education:
The Center for Racial Justice in Education
For White Folks
Additional articles you might find helpful:
"Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup"
Trevor Noah addresses riots, police brutality, social justice and more
How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change
Dear Nia House friends and families,
We, the Nia House teachers and staff, stand in solidarity and love with our Black community members. We condemn the violent mistreatment of the Black community by the police and the prevalence of institutional racial prejudice.
In light of the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many others that have died due to systemic racism, we deepen our spirit of teaching as activism and empowerment. We are committed to creating a community that addresses race, matters of equity, justice, empathy, peace and kindness. These values are Nia House’s foundation, mission, and are imbued in our daily practices.
“Whereas non-racists merely profess tolerant attitudes and think everyone should be treated equally, anti-racists not only acknowledge that not everyone is treated equally but work ‘daily [and] vigilantly’ (hooks 1995:158) to combat this inequality.”
-Eileen O’Brien
At Nia House, we believe that in order for social justice to grow, we must teach it early, nurture it as a safe daily practice, and that it be a community effort. We urge each of you to discuss race, systems of oppression, and stories of liberation and activism with your children. And to model empathy, friendship, activism, and solidarity. Discussing race, systemic inequality, and continued resistance and activism is a tangible action each of us can take to support and grow the movement for Black Lives Matter. Talk with your children, talk with each other. While it may seem challenging to have these discussions, this moment is a profound opportunity for healing and for liberation, and now is the time to take this moment and plant the seeds for the movement.
Below are resources and 4 Practices to Introduce Race and Justice into your home.
With love and in solidarity,
Your Nia House Staff and Teachers
