[social] Justice,Equity, Diversity,Inclusion & Belonging
'Without a sense of identity, there can be no real struggle."
-Paulo Freire-
'Without a sense of identity, there can be no real struggle."
-Paulo Freire-
I have been a student, a teacher and a senior administrator in independent schools in three major cities in the United States.
My life journey was directly influenced by the inquiry based education and intellectual freedom I received while attending independent schools.
My life journey has also been greatly shaped by my experiences as a student in public schools. The PK-12 journey was private to public to private to public.
My identity is greater than the sum total of my social identities. I came to the work of social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-bias education and inclusion through my own experiences as a student, teacher and senior administrator. I've always existed in the world differently from the societal expected 'norms' of my visible identities.
I've chosen to stay in this work because I believe that this is the work of humanity- to learn to appreciate and communicate with each other to be able to work for greater human good. We are one species. Here are some of the resources I recommend.
Click here for a growing booklist that I assembled while working with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture as a Master Teacher for their "Let's Talk About Race" professional development week for educators.
I've had the privilege of learning from and working with these amazing people & organizations. I recommend them because I know them & their work:
America & Moore: Diversity Education Research & Consulting
The Glasgow Group: The Glasgow Group is a consortium of consultants providing skills, tools, and experiences through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion that enhance and deepen schools', organizations', and individuals' capacity for transformation.
Jones & Associates Consulting: Diversity Thought Leader & National Speaker
Liza A. Talusan, Ph.D. Facilitator. Educator. Strategic Partner.
Rosetta Lee: Consultant, Educator & Activist
Sandra Chapman Consulting: Racial and Ethnic Identity development.
Mosiac Collaborative, From their website "A mosaic is made up of disparate, asymmetrical pieces that when integrated artfully and with intention, make a beautiful whole. So too, our world is made up of diverse identities and cultures. The Mosaic Collaborative was born from the co-founder’s shared passion to help create organizational and societal innovations that allow each of us to celebrate our uniqueness while contributing to the whole. "
The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond. How do we undo racism? Their Undoing Racism Community Organizing Workshop was one of the most transformative experiences of my life in my journey of anti-racism.
Service to Justice, DC-Based. Service to Justice is committed to facilitating organizational change. Check out their historical timeline here.
Sher Anderson Petty, Educator, Curriculum Writer, J.E.D.I Advocate, Creative. Project Zero Specialist.
Kristen Kullberg, Educator, Instructional Coach, Artist. Project Zero Specialist. "Kristen Kullberg is a teacher and Arts Integration Instructional Coach driven to empower and celebrate the diverse voices of her school community. Kristen works to promote deep student thinking and understanding with and through the arts and across the disciplines. "
See my booklist for more suggestions. Here are a few anchors I recommend:
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria and Other Conversations About Race - Dr. Beverly Tatum
Lies My Teacher Told Me - Brian Keeler and James Loewen
A People's History of the United States- Howard Zinn (read online | website )
The New Jim Crow- Michelle Alexander
Waking Up White: Finding Myself in the Story of Race - Debbie Irving
What it Means to Be White - Dr. Robin Diangelo
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide - Carol Anderson
Read anything by Ibram X. Kendi
Read anything by Tim Wise
Blindspot: The Hidden Biases of Good People - Mahzarin R. Banaji
Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It Second Edition by Shelly Tochluk
Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do by Claude M. Steele and DeMario Clarke
The History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter
America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America by Jim Wallis and Patrick Lawlor
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga
When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelson
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
From their website: "We are activists, educators and experts. We fight anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. We advocate for a safe and secure democratic Jewish State of Israel and combat efforts to delegitimize it. We help shape laws locally and nationally, and develop groundbreaking model legislation. We work with students to respect inclusion and to challenge bias and bullying. We train law enforcement officers about extremism, terrorism and hate crimes.
We never give up trying to build a better world inspired by our democratic sense of unity: There is no them – only us."
Resource: Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate
From their website: "The Critical Media Project is designed to serve high school instructors and other educators who seek to incorporate media literacy into the classroom. The site contains a wide range of media artifacts that explore the politics of identity across issues of race and ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality."
From their website: "We help students learn about hatred and bigotry so they can stop them from happening in the future."
Free Radicals: End Extremism and Hate
From their website: "We're a lifeline. If you or someone you know is stuck in the dark world of hate and racism, we understand. Because we've been there, too. And it's time you got out. We can help."
From their website: "Life After Hate, Inc., a 501(c)(3) U.S. nonprofit, was created in 2011 by former members of the American violent far-right extremist movement. Through powerful stories of transformation and unique insight gleaned from decades of experience, we serve to inspire, educate, guide, and counsel.
Whether working with individuals who wish to leave a life of hate and violence or helping organizations (community, educational, civic, government, etc.) grappling with the causes of intolerance and racism, Life After Hate works to counter the seeds of hate we once planted. Through personal experience and highly unique skill sets, we have developed a sophisticated understanding about what draws individuals to extremist groups and, equally important, why they leave. Compassion is the opposite of judgment and we understand the roles compassion and empathy play in healing individuals and communities."
National Museum of African-American History and Culture (Smithsonian Museum): Let's Talk About Race
From their website: "Talking about race, although hard, is necessary. We are here to provide tools and guidance to empower your journey and inspire conversation."
NAACP: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
From their website: "The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
From their website: "Kids first start recognizing a world structured by racial injustice at three years old. The first time we talked about race in school was in tenth grade. We must start this timely conversation earlier: our hope lies in every teacher’s power to shape generations of unity and love."
Race Forward & The Center for Social Inclusion
From their website: "Race Forward's mission is to build awareness, solutions, and leadership for racial justice by generating transformative ideas, information, and experiences. We define racial justice as the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all and we work to advance racial justice through media, research, and leadership development."
SEED: Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity
From their website: "SEED is a peer-led professional development program that promotes change through self-reflection and interpersonal dialogue and builds capacity for more equitable curriculum, campuses, workplaces, and communities."
From their website: "The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality."
From their website: "Instead of discussing current events only on Tuesdays or only in response to traumatic events, let’s help students use the curriculum to understand and act against current injustices."
From their website: "The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in middle and high school classrooms across the country. Based on the lens of history highlighted in Howard Zinn’s best-selling book A People’s History of the United States, the website offers free, downloadable lessons and articles organized by theme, time period, and reading level."
People's Historians Online- Zinn Education Project, Spring 2020, Black Freedom Struggle: From Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement
The Gender Spectrum: Gender Spectrum helps to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens.
GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian, Straight Educators Network: Our mission is to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
GLAAD: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.
Ted Talk Playlist: Gender Spectrum (🎬)
Genderbreaded person: A teaching tool for breaking the big concept of gender down into bite-sized, digestible pieces. (Infographic)
Gender Unicorn from Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ontario Canada (Infographic)
GLSEN: "As GLSEN was founded by a group of teachers in 1990, we knew that educators play key roles in creating affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth. But as well as activating supportive educators, we believe in centering and uplifting student-led movements, which have powered initiatives like the Day of Silence, Ally Week, and more."
It Gets Better Project: "The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe."
Intersections of Race, Gender, Sexuality 1st Person Reflection: Lady Dane Edidi interview (🎬)
Identity & Transition 1st Person Reflection: Lee Mokobe spoken word (🎬)
Learning for Justice Resources: Gender and Sexuality
Anti-Defamation League Resources: Gender and Sexuality definitions
Gender Spectrum: "Gender Spectrum works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens.
The Safe Zone Project: "The Safe Zone Project (SZP) is a free online resource providing curricula, activities, and other resources for educators facilitating Safe Zone trainings (sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ education sessions), and learners who are hoping to explore these concepts on their own. Co-created by Meg Bolger and Sam Killermann in 2013, the SZP has become the go-to resource for anyone looking to add some Safe Zone to their life."
It's Pronounced Metrosexual, What's the best way to view gender? As a Spectrum? Continuums? (🎬) "It’s Pronounced Metrosexual (IPM) reaches over a million readers a year in 238 countries. All the resources here are free and uncopyrighted, which allows advocates of social justice to put them to creative use in their local communities. IPM provides this access as a grassroots, advertisement-free, corporate-donation-free, and non-grant-supported media platform."
Beyond XX and XY: The Extraordinary Complexity of Sex Determination, and, Visualizing Sex as a Spectrum, Scientific American (Infographic)
(A)sexual, Documentary, Tuckergurl.Inc
Them. "them, a next-generation community platform, chronicles and celebrates the stories, people and voices that are emerging and inspiring all of us, ranging in topics from pop culture and style to politics and news, all through the lens of today’s LGBTQ community." Them Inqueery playlist. (🎬)
(🎬)Race: The Power of an Illusion - PBS Documentary Series
(🔊)How to Talk Race with Your Family - NPR Codeswitch Podcast episode
(🎬)MTV's Decoded with Chelseigh -MTV produced excellent short educational videos about a variety of social justice issues
(🔊)Scene on Radio: Seeing White- Podcast series with study guide
(🔊)About Race - Podcast | From their website "Co-discussants Anna Holmes, Baratunde Thurston, Raquel Cepeda and Tanner Colby host a lively multiracial, interracial conversation about the ways we can’t talk, don’t talk, would rather not talk, but intermittently, fitfully, embarrassingly do talk about culture, identity, politics, power, and privilege in our pre-post-yet-still-very-racial America. This show is "About Race.""
(🔊)Code Switch (NPR) Podcast | From their website "What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for! Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between. This podcast makes ALL OF US part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story."
(🔊)Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw Podcast | From their website "Intersectionality Matters! is a podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a leading scholar of critical race theory."
(🔊)Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast - Podcast | From their website "Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast features movement voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice. Co-hosts Chevon and Hiba give their unique takes on race and pop culture, and uplift narratives of hope, struggle, and joy, as we continue to build the momentum needed to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Build on your racial justice lens and get inspired to drive action by learning from organizational leaders and community activists."
(🔊)Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights) Podcast | From their website "The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, The Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society – an America as good as its ideals."
(🔊)Pod Save the People (Crooked Media) Podcast | From their website "Activism. Social Justice. Culture. Politics. On Pod Save the People, organizer and activist DeRay Mckesson explores news, culture, social justice, and politics with fellow activists Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Sam Sinyangwe, and writer Dr. Clint Smith. They offer a unique take on the news, with a special focus on overlooked stories and topics that often impact people of color.
(🎬)Sometimes You're a Caterpillar- Animated video about empathy for all.
(🎬)Color blind or Color brave? - Video Description "The subject of race can be very touchy. As finance executive Mellody Hobson says, it's a "conversational third rail." But, she says, that's exactly why we need to start talking about it. In this engaging, persuasive talk, Hobson makes the case that speaking openly about race — and particularly about diversity in hiring — makes for better businesses and a better society." Ted Talk by Melody Hobson
(🎬)Systematic Racism Explained. - Video Description "Systemic racism affects every area of life in the US. From incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. Here's a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it. " by Act.TV
(🎬)Let's Get to the Root of Racial Injustice - Video Description "In this inspiring and powerful talk, Megan Francis traces the root causes of our current racial climate to their core causes, debunking common misconceptions and calling out "fix-all" cures to a complex social problem." TedX Talks
(🎬)Understanding my Privilege - Video Description "University Chancellor, Susan E. Borrego, reflects on her life as an emancipated minor and dissects the emotionally charged conversation surrounding race relations in the United States. This raconteur uses her powerful first-person account of "White Privilege" and "Black Lives Matter" to underscore the responsibility each one of us has to bring about change. " TedX Talks
Black Feminism & the Movement for Black Lives: Barbara Smith, Reina Gossett, Charlene Carruthers
(🎬)"How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion" | Peggy McIntosh at TEDx
(🔊)Teaching While White - "More than 80% of teachers in the U.S. are white. But most don’t know that their whiteness matters. Teaching While White (TWW) seeks to move the conversation forward on how to be consciously, intentionally, anti-racist in the classroom. Because "white" does not mean a blank slate. It is a set of assumptions that is the baseline from which everything is judged; it is what passes for normal. This means if you are not white or don’t adhere to those assumptions, you are abnormal or less than. TWW wants to have conversations about those assumptions: what they are, how they impact our students, and how we can confront our assumptions to promote racial literacy."
(🎬 + 🔊)Historical Foundations of Race, National Museum of African-American History and Culture
(🎬)Exterminate All the Brutes, "Exterminate All the Brutes, from acclaimed filmmaker Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro, HBO’s Sometimes in April), is a four-part hybrid docuseries that provides a visually arresting journey through time, into the darkest hours of humanity. Through his personal voyage, Peck deconstructs the making and masking of history, digging deep into the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism — from America to Africa and its impact on society today."
Make sure to check out the resources in the Watch or Listen & Learn category for additional resources
Race: The Power of an Illusion - PBS Documentary Series
How to Talk Race with Your Family - NPR Codeswitch Podcast episode
MTV's Decoded with Chelseigh -MTV produced excellent short educational videos about a variety of social justice issues
Scene on Radio: Seeing White- Podcast series with study guide
Sometimes You're a Caterpillar- Animated video about empathy for all.
Color blind or Color brave? - Video Description "The subject of race can be very touchy. As finance executive Mellody Hobson says, it's a "conversational third rail." But, she says, that's exactly why we need to start talking about it. In this engaging, persuasive talk, Hobson makes the case that speaking openly about race — and particularly about diversity in hiring — makes for better businesses and a better society." Ted Talk by Melody Hobson
Systematic Racism Explained. - Video Description "Systemic racism affects every area of life in the US. From incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. Here's a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it. " by Act.TV
Let's Get to the Root of Racial Injustice - Video Description "In this inspiring and powerful talk, Megan Francis traces the root causes of our current racial climate to their core causes, debunking common misconceptions and calling out "fix-all" cures to a complex social problem." TedX Talks
Understanding my Privilege - Video Description "University Chancellor, Susan E. Borrego, reflects on her life as an emancipated minor and dissects the emotionally charged conversation surrounding race relations in the United States. This raconteur uses her powerful first-person account of "White Privilege" and "Black Lives Matter" to underscore the responsibility each one of us has to bring about change. " TedX Talks
Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism
Anti-racism Resources for White People: a compilation of resources for white people and parents to deepen our work in anti-racism
Array Now: Started by Ava DuVernay, director of Now They See Us, this is a compilation of African American independent films- an array of stories and voices.
Teaching Tolerance: Teaching about race, racism, and police violence
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice: Curated by Medium and updated regularly.
Talking with Children About Racism, Police Brutality and Protests -- Aha! Parenting (updated for the death of George Floyd, May 2020)
Summary of Stages of Racial Identity Development - Racial Equity Tools
Working document- stages of racial identity development with associated resources for each stage
Teaching While White - "More than 80% of teachers in the U.S. are white. But most don’t know that their whiteness matters. Teaching While White (TWW) seeks to move the conversation forward on how to be consciously, intentionally, anti-racist in the classroom. Because "white" does not mean a blank slate. It is a set of assumptions that is the baseline from which everything is judged; it is what passes for normal. This means if you are not white or don’t adhere to those assumptions, you are abnormal or less than. TWW wants to have conversations about those assumptions: what they are, how they impact our students, and how we can confront our assumptions to promote racial literacy."