Resources for Family Conversations

For Parents of CHILDREN: 

How young is too young to talk about race? (click the image below to enlarge)

“How to talk to your children and teens about protests and racism in age-appropriate ways” https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/health/protests-racism-talk-to-children-wellness/index.html

Children are cultural sponges who absorb what surrounds them. These are two lists of resources, children’s books, toys, research and tools for parents.

“Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup”  https://www.prettygooddesign.org/blog

“Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids”  https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/resources-for-talking-about-race-racism-and-racialized-violence-with-kids/

Here are ten age-appropriate activities that can be easily incorporated into daily life.

“10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids about Race”  https://www.embracerace.org/resources/teaching-and-talking-to-kids?fbclid=IwAR2aC4IWHC8BbIR6G3AUTS-azilukWxhrocSn8mTpMvfq_g_F1mYtqrfZ-w

For Parents of TEENS: 

This is a summary of recent events with a series of questions that help students think about the what, so what and now what.

“George Floyd, Racism and Law Enforcement”   https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/george-floyd-racism-and-law-enforcement?fbclid=IwAR0N-nETpweF8bgfiR4auCgM_09Nl_QCUjrMAMczJEeydQlhINIrge2Nk8I

If your teen is looking to learn more, Be The Bridge Youth helps young people — from middle school through college — create brave spaces on their campuses and in their communities where the truth is told, justice is fought for, and reconciliation is possible. This is Be The Bridge’s curated youth reading list.  https://bethebridge.com/btby-booklist/

A resource for parents to have a conversation with their teen about policing. What do your teens think about “how much do we need the police?” Ask them, “Why they think people are protesting / mad at the police right now?” “What should the role of police be?” Can teens imagine a different way of responding to emergencies in the community? https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/06/03/457251670/how-much-do-we-need-the-police?origin=NOTIFY&fbclid=IwAR1Zsnhmbc6hMPJbA3_M5xWX0vZDN5foMPHlcM8tbxXi3WajbKTOPPWXxPA

As a primer for conversation, consider watching with your teen this video from 2016 of Rev. Gayle Fisher-Stewart speaking on policing, reconciliation, black lives and the Episcopal church’s role.  https://episcopalchurch.org/library/video/rev-gayle-fisher-stewart-policing-reconciliation-black-lives-and-churchs-role

Episcopal specific resources to speak with our children and youth about racism in our country are being developed. We will update you when they are available.