Anti-Racism

Articles/Websites

Three Paths - Check out this article written by Andrew Parker and published through the U of A New Trail Magazine “We talk about generations. Decades. Years. And months. Trying collectively to convey and understand ourselves. As Black teachers in Canada.“

What Riding my bike has taught me about white privilege - In this article, Jeremy Dowsett talks about how his experiences of riding his bike has helped him to understand privilege and listen to privilege talk without feeling defensive.

Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism - This article has suggestions and strategies for having classroom conversations with young people about racism.

Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events - This article provides tips for discussion as well as guides for having conversations around a variety of current issues.

Can We Talk? Tips for Respectful Conversations in Schools, Workplaces and Communities - This article contains tips and strategies that can provide a framwork for respectful and thoughtful conversations .

Learning to Talk Back to Texts - This article describes an informal study that focused on teaching eighth graders to take a critical stance and talk back to texts. In this era of “fake news,” “alternative facts,” and what has been called a “post‐truth” culture, it is imperative that students do not simply accept everything they read, see, or hear at face value. They must be made aware that information presented as fact is not necessarily true and that it is up to them to identify the messages embedded in texts before deciding whether they agree with them, disagree with them, or need more information to make a decision. We may not have access to books that are culturally relevant for all our students. Teaching students to read WITH the text (what does the author want me to believe) as well as AGAINST the text (what do I not agree with and what about it bothers me) is crucial in helping them identify the messages embedded in texts.

Through the Sliding Glass Door - This article seeks to address the need for thoughtful reflection and knowledgeable action related to Bishop's (1990) metaphor of mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, with particular emphasis on sliding glass doors and the emotional connections needed for readers to move through them. The authors begin by examining the importance of the reader and the characters he or she meets. Next, the authors extend Bishop's metaphor by exploring the role of readers’ emotional connections to texts and characters. The authors then make recommendations for selecting appropriate books, linking books thematically, and guiding readers in ways to respond.

The Canadian Women's Foundation has created a list of Anti-racism resources.

A Guide to Leading Conversations on Systemic Racism and Racial Discrimination - The purpose of this learning tool is to support managers in having conversations about systemic racism and racial discrimination with their employees. These conversations can be uncomfortable. This resource will assist managers so that they can examine their beliefs and experiences related to these topics by bringing about greater self-awareness through introspection and reflection. This resource is for your individual use. It can, if you wish, be used within a small peer-coaching environment with other leaders who have staff reporting to them. If you use this material in a small peer-coaching circle (3-4 people), please remember to communicate and share in respectful ways.

Guide pour diriger les conversations sur le racisme systémique et la discrimination raciale

Building a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019-2022

Books

The Canadian Children's Book Centre

Canadian Books to Help Tackle Racism: How do you talk to young readers about the racism in the world and their own country? We have compiled a reading list of books that are a good start to conversations about racism, discrimination, and #BlackLivesMatter. For each book on this list, we have provided a link to purchase from A Different Book List, which is a Black-owned and focused Canadian independent bookstore located in Toronto.

So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo

Here are 20 books that can help spark conversations about race and tolerance with students:

1. Skin Again by Bell Hooks, illustrated by Chris Raschka: This poetic ode to celebrating our differences is a gentle way to introduce young children to the concepts of race and identity.

2. Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh An inspiring story about one family’s efforts to desegregate California schools in the late 1940s. A 2015 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book.

3. Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson: The stunningly illustrated, heartwrenching tale of a slave who mailed himself to freedom.

4. The Color of Us by Karen Katz: A celebration of the many shades of skin color, as told through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl trying to paint a picture of herself. Perfect for introducing the concept of race to even the youngest readers.

5. Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo: A sweet lesson in tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion for even the youngest readers.

6. Martin’s Big Words by by Julius Lester, illustrated by Karen Barbour: A beautiful, accessible introduction to the life and words of Martin Luther King, Jr. Winner of the 2002 Caldecott Medal.

7. Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall: A funny, clever story that will help little ones down the path of finding joy in staying true to who you really are.

8. One Family by George Shannon, illustrated by Blanca Gomez: A playful look at diversity and the many ways to form a family.

9. A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara: A primer for social justice perfect for even the littlest activist.

10. Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester, illustrated by Karen Barbour: The perfect conversation starter for any discussion about race, this lively picture books celebrate what makes us different yet all the same.

11. We March by Shane W. Evans: A critical moment in the civil rights movement — the 1963 March on Washington — told in clear, concise prose.

12. The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis A longstanding classic about bridging the racial divide between two young friends, told through powerful prose and gorgeous watercolor illustrations.

13. A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher The inspiring story behind the groundbreaking classic A Snowy Day, the first mainstream book to feature an African American hero.

14. Be Who You Are by Todd Parr: The ultimate celebration of self and a vibrant, playful reminder to be proud of who you are and where you come from.

15. The Adventures of Beekle: An Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat: A charming, endearing friendship story that reminds us all there’s a place for everyone in this big, wide world. Winner of the 2015 Caldecott Medal.

16. The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton: The story of the youngest known civil rights protester in history will teach children that you’re never too small to stand up for what you believe in.

17. I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow: A silly, joyful celebration of being true to who you are. Catchy rhyming text makes this a perfect read-aloud.

18. The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson: This bus ride through a busy city showcases people of different skin colors, ages, and classes, and takes readers on a journey that will help them appreciate the beauty all around. Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal and the 2016 Caldecott Honor.

19. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Caroline Binch: Ideal for sparking conversations about race and gender with young children, the story of spirited Grace remains as important today as it was when it was first published 25 years ago.

20. Malala’s Magic Pencil, the first picture book from Nobel Prize winning Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai.

Videos & Podcasts

Teaching Resources

Samantha Pacleb curated list of resources - Samantha has presented at our catchment PD day this year and is part of the M.E. LaZerte planning committee for moving this work forward. She has put together a list of resources to support this work.

Choose Your Voice (grades 6-8) and Voices into Action (grades 9-12) - free curriculum-based teaching resources and online tools to help you teach your students about prejudice, human rights, and social justice. Resources are from a Canadian perspective and available in French and English.

Antiracism Teacher Resources - from the British Colombia Teacher's Federation

Periodic Table of Canadian Black History - Inspired by a similar project from a US school library, the original Periodic Table of Canadian Black History was created in 2020 by a Parents for Diversity Board member and displayed in an Ottawa primary school. The templates and tools for creating the Periodic Table of Canadian Black History were shared on the Parents for Diversity website, and soon we saw schools across Ontario and as far away as Vancouver creating their own Periodic Tables! As demonstrated by #BlackedOutHistory from the Ontario Black History Society, the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians are often excluded from textbooks and curriculum. The Periodic Table of Canadian Black History is a tool that educators, students, and families can use to explore and celebrate the stories, voices, and accomplishments of Black Canadians.

Creating Racism-Free Schools Through Critical/Courageous Conversations on Race - this document was developed by the Government of Manitoba, Minister of Education and Training.

Racism in Our Schools - developed by the Canadian Race Relations Foundations

We're Not Really Strangers - Race and Privilege Questions (card game)

Let's Talk: Discussing Race, Racism and Other Difficult Topics With Students - This guide contains strategies to facilitate difficult conversations.

Courageous Conversations About Race in Schools - These short videos are designed to shift the conversation, to prompt a deeper, more authentic discussion about issues of racial equity in schools. Made during the 2017 National Teacher Leadership Conference, State Teachers of the Year and other educators speak from the head and the heart, sharing their experiences and their ideas about how to move forward.

Discussion Guide - to accompany the "Courageous Conversations About Race in Schools" videos.

Resources - extensive list of videos, teaching resources, books, articles, podcasts...

Websites

educolor.org - A list of books, articles, websites and organizations to support issues of equity, anti-racism, and justice.

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