As librarians, we are committed to providing curated resources in all formats to our community. It is our intention that these resources can provide education and context about the events of the spring of 2020 which brought awareness of systemic racism against Black Americans to the forefront. We stand with the American Library Association (ALA) in their #LibrariesRespond initiative.
We offer these resources as a starting point to understanding systemic racism in America, and to offer reading lists which put Black voices at the center. Educating ourselves and our communities about racism, and learning to have difficult conversations with one anther about the impacts of racism, is an important component of building a more just future for all Americans.
Please read The Caroline County Public Library Statement on Race and Social Equity
From Zero to Three – Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five
PBS – How to Talk to Your Kids About Anti-Racism
Teaching Tolerance: Teaching About Race, Racism, and Police Violence
Youth themed Anti-racism books at your library
Black Boy Joy – 30 Picture Books Featuring Black Male Protagonists
Black Girl Magic – 33 Picture Books Featuring Black Female Protagonists
Helping Kids Rise – #BlackBoyJoy: Books Highlighting the Everyday Joys of Being a Black Boy:
Embracerace.org: 31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance
NY Times Parenting: These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids:
PBS: 13 Children’s Books About Race and Diversity
Reading for Change – Booklist-Recommended Antiracism Titles for All Ages
School Library Journal
Social Justice Books – Teaching Young Children about Race
CNN & Sesame Street present – Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism
NPR Podcast – Talking Race with Young Children
The Atlantic – Short Video on How to Talk to Kids About Race
CBS This Morning – How to Raise Kids to be Anti-Racist and Talk to Them About Racism
ParentTrapped Podcast – Racism and Resilience
1619 Project – The 1619 Project is an ongoing initiative from The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery.
Anti-Racism Resourcs for All Ages – Compiled by Dr. Nicole A. Cooke, The University of South Carolina
Brookings Institution: George Floyd’s death demonstrates the policy violence that devalues Black lives
Jane Elliott: Diversity Educator
John Lewis: Good Trouble Film – Using interviews and rare archival footage, this film chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration.
Maryland State Library – Racial Justice Resources Page
National Museum of African American History & Culture “Talking About Race”
NY Times Project: A Conversation on Race
The New York Public Library Schomburg Center’s Black Liberation Reading List
Smithsonian Magazine’s 158 Resources to Understand Racism in America
Teaching for Change – Teaching #Blacklivesmatter
List of Anti-Racism Resources by Alyssa Klein and Sarah Sophie Flicker
TED Talks to Help You Understand Racism
Five Tips for Being an Ally (YouTube, @chescaleigh)
ShadowandFact.com – Six Essential films about Systemic Racism you can view for free right now.
