Continuing to Study Issues of Race and Diversity

A few weeks ago, I committed to studying to learn about the race issues in our country.  I know that many of us have this same goal--to better understand what is happening so that we can work to create change.  Over the last few weeks I have read several articles that have helped me in different ways. Some are articles that helped me understand the issues from different perspectives. Others are pieces that help me think about my role in schools and as a teacher. I so appreciate everyone who has written and/or shared pieces thoughtfully and intentionally on social media. I think one thing we can do is to share pieces that we think will help others move forward in their understanding. It is sometimes a bit scary, as we know everyone in our feed may not agree with our stance. But I've decided that I am too committed to working toward change to worry about that anymore. Here are the things that I thought were worth sharing, not necessarily because I agree with them wholeheartedly but because they made me think beyond my current level of understanding.

I, Racist by John Metta at Those People

Dear White Parents of My Black Child's Friends: I Need Your Help by Maralee Bradley at Scary Mommy

How Silence Can Breed Prejudice:  A Child Development Professor Explains How and Why to Talk to Kids About Race by Brigitte Vittrup at The Washington Post

Reflecting on Police Shootings: Author Kwame Alexander Focuses on Next Generation at NPR

A Former Officer Explains Why Racist Police Violence Occurs Even When Cops "Aren't Racist" by Colleen McMahon at RawStory

 What Writers of Color Say We Should All Read Now by Laurel Hertz at Star Tribune

How Marginalized Families are Pushed Out of PTAs by Casey Quinlan at The Atlantic

On Race, Our Behavior Proves Us Liars by Leonard Pitts, Jr. at the Miami Herald

What I Said When My White Friend Asked For My Black Opinion on White Privlege by Lori Lakin at Good Black News

10 Books I Wish My White Teacher Had Read by Crystal Paul at Bustle

What Kids Need to Hear About Race and Violence-but Many Schools Won't Touch by Valerie Strauss at the Washington Post

Why I'm a Racist by Jeff Cook at The Huffington Post

11 Children's Books that Teach the Importance of Understanding Privilege by Ni'Kesia Pannell at Romper 

Two White Women Launch "White Nonsense Roundup" to Unburden People of Color by Egberto Willies at Egbert Willies

Let's Step Up by Anne Lee at Nerdy Book Club

Empowering Educators With a Model for How to Moderate Difficult Conversations in the Classroom by April Hall at International Literacy Association

The Sugar-Coated Language of White Fragility by Anna Kegler at Huffington Post

Michael Jordan: "I Can No Longer Stay Silent" at The Undefeated

In the End, Love Will Win, But We Will Need an Education First by David Kirkland at New York Slant.