Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle

Helpful Anti-Racism Resources from the Faculty, Staff, and Administration of Virginia Chance School

A 5th Grade Classroom Newsletter to see how we teach this topic at our highest level:
5th Grade Newsletter. We always have the lens of what is developmentally appropriate (age-appropriate) information for community conversation and learning.
 
Resources shared with teachers include:
 
An interview with Pema Chodron where she talks about the possibility of more polarization in the current crisis and having compassion for the people, but not condoning the actions that come out of fear. I thought it actually fit so well into how we implement positive discipline at our school and what is happening in Louisville right now.  
 
This American Life, Act Two, with W. Kamau Bell is worth a listen
Teaching Tolerance: Teaching Hard History
 
 
This site is unbelievable! Black Past has biographies, information about events, and just a very expansive catalog of information. Good to boost our own knowledge so we are well informed in the classroom and our lives. This is the link to the teacher page but search through the whole site- it really is an amazing resource for history.
 
This podcast approaches some tough conversations that really need to be had right now.
 
Do's & Don'ts for celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
 
Teach Thanksgiving in a Socially Responsible Way
 
 
 
___________________________________
 
 
Podcasts:
Invisibilia: The Culture Inside  - A super interesting podcast about hidden forces that affect our beliefs, ideas, decisions, and assumptions. This particular podcast episode is about implicit bias. 
Throughline: The Shadow of James Baldwin - A history podcast that connects events from the past to the present. In this episode Eddie Glaude Jr., who just wrote a biography of James Baldwin, talks about the urgency of the lessons James Baldwin was trying to teach us.
Hidden Brain: You 2.0 Empathy Gym - One of my favorite podcasts! Looking deeply at the unconscious patterns that drive behavior. This one is about flexing those empathy muscles. 
Unlocking Us: Tarana Burke and Brene on Being Heard and Seen - Another one of my favorite podcasts. Tarana Burke, the founder of the MeToo movement speaks to Brene Brown. I would also recommend exploring Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead, the episodes featuring Aiko Bethea, Yaba Blay, and Priya Parker have a great DEIB focus. 
Gabby Rivera's Joy Revolution- Writer Gabby Rivera's podcast asks: "How do you prioritize joy?" Gabby starts the first podcast speaking about her queer latinx experience, and she thinks we all need some bouncy revolutionary joy to thrive. And a warning: there is some swearing.  
Nice White Parents - A collaboration from Serial from NYTimes about school integration.
This American Life: The Problem We All Live With- A great radio show in general and this particular episode is about inequity and school segregation.
Teaching While White: Whiteness Visible An introduction to Unpacking the invisible knapsack of white privilege. 
Ted Talks Daily: Heather C. McGhee: Racism Has a Cost for Everyone  Heather McGhee just wrote a really amazing book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. It was amazing, this short TED talk might peak your interest!
Water for Teachers: Cornelius Minor - The opening minutes of this podcast where host Shamari reads a letter to teachers made me feel so seen. And I love all the equity/literacy work that Cornelius and the Minor Collective do. They bring so much love and empathy to their radically pro-kid approach to equity. 
This Is Uncomfortable: The Fight For Fair Pay in Big Tech - A podcast about money, but also equity and bias. There are many interesting episodes, and there are moments of great examination of bias, class, and intersectionality. I would also suggest the episodes: "Why don't You Fix Your Teeth?" and "Pretty Hurts". 
Third Space- Jen Cort is an education consultant in equity, inclusion, diversity, and justice. She has many great guests and 
Ten Percent Happier: How to Be Courageous with Stacy McClendon - One of my favorite podcasts, and this episode was just incredible. It resonated so deeply with some of the work we've done together this year-- having difficult conversation, belonging, and having compassion.  
 
Reflecting on Anti Bias Education in Action: The Early Years - I was just so impressed and inspired by this film. I highly recommend checking it out!
 
 
From the National Museum of African American History and Culture: The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
From the New York Times: So You Want To Learn About Juneteenth?
A podcast from NYTimes: The History and Meaning of Juneteenth
Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi - 'The Juneteenth Mixtape'
 
__________________________________

A PBS Guide for talking to young children about race and racism

Sesame Workshop: Racial Justice Website

Explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture

LikeKit Podcast on How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race

Emmanuel Acho’s Video Series: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man

Nita Mosby’s amazing TEDTalk: Want a More Just World, Be an Unlikely Ally

Author Jason Reynolds: There’s Nothing Wrong with Us

What Black Joy Means– And Why It Is More Important Than Ever 

Podcasts  About Radical Self-Love with Soyna Renee Taylor

Heather McGhee: Racism Has A Cost for Everyone

Learning For Justice: Teaching Black History


Support Local Black Owned businesses and organizations like:

Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company, a Louisville local company that created the Pie with a Purpose Initiative to give free books to kids that promote love, acceptance, diversity and inclusion. 

Play Cousins Collective

Book List for Chinese New Year

Book List for Black History Month

PBS: Black Scientists that Teachers should know about!

 

_____________________________________

About News Broadcast:

The resources below may be useful in supporting children, in response to violence or tragedy that may come through news broadcasts etc.... In addition there are a few important reminders to keep in mind when speaking with children:

  • Limit News Consumption. Please do not have the news running in the background while your children are in ear or eyeshot. News broadcasting isn't developmentally appropriate for the age range we support here at school. We understand this is a big ask but it's an important one. Repeated negative imagery can be traumatizing, whether a child was directly impacted or not. 

  • Share information honestly and as simply as possible to match where your child is developmentally. 

  • Maintain a listening ear. Give your child(ren) space to share what is on their minds and what feelings they are experiencing. 

  • Reassure children that the world is a good place to be, and although there are people who do bad things, there are many more people who help others, contribute positively, and work to ensure our safety. 

  • Consider your own feelings and give space for them. Treat yourself with compassion and have patience as you and your child process what has occurred.

Resources for Families and Teachers:

 
 
Corinne Kamiya
Preschool Teacher
Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator