Discussing Racism, Injustice, Inequality, and Other Difficult Topics With Students
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With anger, violence, misinformation, and an overall sense of uncertainty erupting at historic proportions, students of all ages are certain to be confused, frightened, angry, and questioning the status quo. Parents, guardians, and caregivers may be at a loss of words on what to say to comfort their children, answer their questions, and help them understand. Realistically, adults may and probably are experiencing all the same emotions as their children.
We, as a school district, have the responsibility to help put events into perspective, provide truthful information, and create a sense of stability in troubling times like these.
As a community, the Bedford City School District (along with the help and collaboration of other area school districts), has assembled a list of resources that can be used to talk to children and help them bring some sense of understanding to race, racism, violence, trauma, inequality, social justice, coping, resilience, and other difficult topics.
Please note that this page is constantly being updated with new information, links, and resources as they become available.
Statement from First Ring Collaborative Superintendents
Statement from Superintendent Andrea Celico In Response to the Attack on the Capitol
Social Emotional Needs | INFORMATION, LINKS & RESOURCES
- Equity Literacy Institute | Equity Case Analysis Process
- LA Unified School District | Psychological First Aid
- Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community
- National Equity Project | Effects of Oppression of the Learners' Brain
- National Equity Project | Equity 101: Starting the Equity Conversation
- NCTSN | Addressing Race & Trauma in the Classroom: A resource for Educators
- NCTSN | Community Violence: Reactions & Actions in Dangerous Times
- NCTSN | Helping Youth After Community Trauma
- NCTSN | Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Fact Sheet for Organizations Employing Community Violence Workers
- NCTSN | Skills for Psychological Recovery Field Operations Guide
- University of Missouri | Resilience & Coping Intervention
Racism, Injustice & Inequality | INFORMATION, LINKS & RESOURCES
- 89 Racial Equity Resources for Healthcare, Education, and Communities
- Anti-Defamation League | Children Literature
- Anti-Defamation League | PreK - 12 Grade Lessons
- Anti-Defamation League | Table Talk: George Floyd, Racism and Law Enforcement
- Anti-Defamation League | Teaching about Racism, Violence, Inequity and the Criminal Justice System
- Anti-Racism List of Resources | Books, Podcasts, Articles, Film, TV, Social Media
- Books for Littles | Anti-Racism For Kids 101
- Brightly | How to Talk to Kids About Race: Books & Resources That Can Help
- Chalkbeat | Educators Tackle Tough Conversations About Race & Violence
- Childline | Racism & Radical Bullying
- Cleveland Public Library | Discussing Race
- CNN | How to talk to Your Children About Protests & Racism
- NPR | Having 'The Talk': Expert Guidance On Preparing Kids For Police Interactions
- NPR | How White Parents Can Talk About Race
- Oakland Library | Talking to Kids About Racism & Justice
- Pretty Good Design | Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race
- Raising Race Conscious Children | 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say To Your Child
- Safe Space Radio | How to Talk to White Kids About Race & Racism
- Safe Space Radio | Talking to White Kids About Race & Racism Podcast
- Teaching Tolerance | Discussing Race, Racism & Other Difficult Topics
- Teaching Tolerance | PreK - 12 Grade Lessons
- Teaching Tolerance | Teaching About Race, Racism & Police Violence
- Teen Vogue | Beyond the Hashtag: How to Take Anti-Racist Action in Your Life
- The New York Times | An Antiracist Reading List
- The Washington Post | Why I’m not talking to my black sons about the unrest in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing
- USA Today | George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?