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This list of picture, middle grade and young adult books written by Black authors can help you have the important conversations about race with your kids or students.

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Multicultural & Social Justice Books for children, YA and Educators

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Multicultural & Social Justice Books for children, YA and Educators

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More than 100 carefully selected lists of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators. When you find a book at this site, please purchase it here. Our titles are linked to Bookshop. A portion of your book purchase helps sustain our work. New Releases Activism and Organizing Africa Afro-Latinx American Indians Arabs […]

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Book lists, movies to watch, podcasts, videos, & more.

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Confronting Anti-Blackness: Books by Black Authors for ages 0-18

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Confronting Anti-Blackness: Books by Black Authors for ages 0-18

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children's books by Black authors - the conscious kid

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This beautifully illustrated board book edition of instant bestseller Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History showcases women who changed the world and is the perfect goodnight book to inspire big dreams. Dream Big, Little One features 18 trailblazing Black women in American history.

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Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism and Resistance

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Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism and Resistance

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I Am Enough by Grace Byers, illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo. We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier

A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and Brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will, from powerhouse rising star author Tami Charles and esteemed, award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier. Discover this poignant, timely, and emotionally stirring picture book, an ode to Black and Brown children everywhere that is full of hope, assurance, and love. Tami Charles pens a poetic, lyrical text that is part love letter, part anthem, assuring readers that they always have, and always will, matter. This powerful, rhythmic lullaby reassures readers that their matter and their worth is never diminished, no matter the circumstance: through the joy and wonder of their first steps and first laughter, through the hardship of adolescent struggles and the pain and heartbreak of current events, they always have, and always will, matter. Accompanied by illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, All Because You Matter empowers readers with pride, joy, and comfort, reminding them of their roots and strengthening them for the days to come. This book will be released in October 2020. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Keith Mallett

Just in time for the 120th anniversary of the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing"--this stirring book celebrates the Black National Anthem and how it inspired five generations of a family.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. It has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations. Inspired by this song's enduring significance, Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett tell a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song's inspiring words. Ages 4-8.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and Dung Ho

This lyrical, stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes, in the spirit of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, and is a celebration of diversity.

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future.

Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. This powerful, poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages.

When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling and Aaron Asis

In an evocative picture book brimming with the scents, tastes, and traditions that define a young girl’s summer with her grandmother, debut author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Aaron Asis come together to celebrate the gentle bonds of familial love that span oceans and generations.

For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, and of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn’t start until her lola—her grandmother from the Philippines—comes for her annual visit.

Summer is special. For her lola fills the house with the aroma of mango jam, funny stories of baking mishaps, and her quiet sweet singing in Tagalog. And in turn, her granddaughter brings Lola to the beach, to view fireworks at the park, and to catch fish at their lake.

When Lola visits, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return home—but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer. Ages 4-8.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

In 1994, Yuyi Morales left her home in Xalapa, Mexico and came to the US with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn’t come empty-handed. She brought her strength, her work, her passion, her hopes and dreams. . . and her stories. Caldecott Honor artist and six-time Pura Belpré winner Yuyi Morales’s gorgeous picture book Dreamers is about making a home in a new place. Yuyi and her son Kelly’s passage was not easy, and Yuyi spoke no English whatsoever at the time. But together, they found an unexpected, unbelievable place: the public library. There, book by book, they untangled the language of this strange new land, and learned to make their home within it. Dreamers is a celebration of what migrantes bring with them when they leave their homes. It’s a story about family. And it’s a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own gifts wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless. The lyrical text is complemented by sumptuously detailed illustrations, rich in symbolism. Also included are a brief autobiographical essay about Yuyi’s own experience, a list of books that inspired her (and still do), and a description of the beautiful images, textures, and mementos she used to create this book. A parallel Spanish-language edition, Soñadores, is also available. Ages 4–8.

Teaching Guide

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

What’s in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from — and who she may one day be. If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her author-illustrator debut, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

A heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway. Ages 4–8.

Teaching Guide

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

This poem is a love letter to Black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world’s greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more. Ages 6–9.

Teaching Guide

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

An important book for all ages, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of forty trailblazing Black women in American history. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash. Among these biographies, readers will find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things — bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn’t always accept them. The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something big and amazing, inspiring generations to come. Ages 8–11.

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez

In luminous paintings and arresting poems, two of children’s literature’s top African-American scholars track Arturo Schomburg’s quest to correct history. Where is our historian to give us our side? Arturo asked. Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro–Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk’s life’s passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg’s collection became so big it began to overflow his house, he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world. Ages 9–12.

My Papi Has A Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña

When Daisy Ramona zooms around her neighborhood with her papi on his motorcycle, she sees the people and places she's always known. She also sees a community that is rapidly changing around her. But as the sun sets purple-blue-gold behind Daisy Ramona and her papi, she knows that the love she feels will always be there. With vivid illustrations and text bursting with heart, My Papi Has a Motorcycle is a young girl's love letter to her hardworking dad and to memories of home that we hold close in the midst of change. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Your Name Is A Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpré Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.
Fry bread is food.
It is warm and delicious, piled high on a plate.
Fry bread is time.
It brings families together for meals and new memories.
Fry bread is nation.
It is shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond.
Fry bread is us.
It is a celebration of old and new, traditional and modern, similarity and difference. Ages 4-8.

This book was selected for this list by critical Indigenous scholar Dr. Debbie Reese of American Indians in Children’s Literature.

Teaching Guide

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad

From beloved team Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad comes a stunning picture book biography that portrays the most moving moments in the life of Gyo Fujikawa, a groundbreaking Japanese American hero in the fight for racial diversity in picture books. Equal parts picture book biography, inspiring story, and a look at racial diversity in America, It Began with a Page is a gem for any book lover, librarian, or child who dares to dream big.

Growing up in California, Gyo Fujikawa always knew that she wanted to be an artist. She was raised among strong women, including her mother and teachers, who encouraged her to fight for what she believed in. During World War II, Gyo’s family was forced to abandon everything and was taken to an internment camp in Arkansas. Far away from home, Gyo worked as an illustrator in New York while her innocent family was imprisoned. Seeing the diversity around her and feeling pangs from her own childhood, Gyo became determined to show all types of children in the pages of her books. There had to be a world where they saw themselves represented. Gyo’s book Babies was initially rejected by her publisher, but after she insisted, they finally relented, and Babies went on to sell almost two million copies. Gyo’s books paved the way for publishers, teachers, and readers to see what we can be when we welcome others into our world. Ages 4-8.

Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the first picture book about her life—as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable!

Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. This biographical picture book about the Notorious RBG, tells the justice’s story through the lens of her many famous dissents, or disagreements. Written by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jamey Christoph

His white teacher tells her all-Black class, “You’ll all wind up porters and waiters”. What did she know? Gordon Parks is most famous for being the first Black director in Hollywood. But before he made movies and wrote books, he was poor and looking for work. When he bought a camera, his life changed forever. He taught himself how to take pictures and before long, people noticed. His success as a fashion photographer landed him a job working for the government. In Washington DC, Gordon went looking for a subject, but what he found was segregation. He and others were treated differently because of the color of their skin. Gordon wanted to take a stand against the racism he observed. With his camera in hand, he found a way. Told through lyrical verse and atmospheric art, this is the story of how, with a single photograph, a self-taught artist got America to take notice. Ages 4–8.

Hold On to Your Music: The Inspiring True Story of the Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen, illustrated by Sonia Possentini

Discover the inspiring illustrated true story about one girl's escape from the Holocaust to become a concert pianist against all odds, made popular by the beloved novel The Children of Willesden Lane.

In pre-World War II Vienna, Lisa Jura was a musical prodigy who dreamed of becoming a concert pianist. But when enemy forces threatened the city—particularly the Jewish people that lived there—Lisa's parents were forced to make a difficult decision. They chose to send Lisa to London for safety through the Kindertransport—a rescue effort that relocated Jewish children. As Lisa yearned to be reunited with her family while living in a home for refugee children on Willesden Lane, her music became a beacon of hope for those around her.

A true story of courage, survival, and determination, this compelling tribute to a gifted young girl has already touched the lives of many around the world. Originally published in 2017 for older readers, The Children of Willesden Lane has sold hundreds of thousands of copies globally; now this picture book retelling will inspire a new generation. Ages 4-8.

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui

A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's striking, evocative art paired with Phi's expertly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture book six starred reviews and numerous awards. Ages 6-8.

Teaching Guide

Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez, illustrated by Jaime Kim

This resonant picture book tells the story of one girl who constantly gets asked a simple question that doesn’t have a simple answer. A great conversation starter in the home or classroom. When a girl is asked where she’s from—where she’s really from—none of her answers seems to be the right one. Unsure about how to reply, she turns to her loving abuelo for help. He doesn’t give her the response she expects. She gets an even better one.

Where am I from?

You’re from hurricanes and dark storms, and a tiny singing frog that calls the island people home when the sun goes to sleep....

With themes of self-acceptance, identity, and home, this powerful, lyrical picture book will resonate with readers young and old, from all backgrounds and of all colors—especially anyone who ever felt that they don’t belong. A Spanish-language edition, ¿De dónde eres?, is also available. Ages 3-8.

Teaching Guide

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Walking many miles to school in the dusty road, young Coretta knew, too well, the unfairness of life in the segregated south. A yearning for equality began to grow. Together with Martin Luther King, Jr., she gave birth to a vision and a journey — with dreams of freedom for all. This extraordinary union of poetic text by Ntozake Shange and monumental artwork by Kadir Nelson captures the movement for civil rights in the United States and honors one of its most powerful inspirations, Coretta Scott. Ages 4–8.

The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box: The Story of Video Game Inventor Ralph Baer by Marcie Wessels and Beatriz Castro

Play the Wii, Nintendo, X-Box, and PlayStation? Meet the Jewish inventor whose work made them all possible: Ralph Baer, creator of the first home video game system!

Today, the video game industry keeps growing, with ever more platforms available to fans. But how did the very first system come about? This picture-book biography of Ralph Baer, whose family fled Nazi Germany for the US, introduces kids to a great inventor AND the birth of the first home console. Using wartime technology, Baer thought outside the box and transformed the television into a vehicle for gaming; Baer's invention, the Odyssey, is a precursor to the Atari gaming system. Today, interactive systems like Wii and PlayStation are descendants of Ralph’s innovative “Brown Box,” making this award-winning inventor the true “Father of Video Games.” Ages 4-8.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington

When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering. She wanted to be an astronaut. Her white teacher doesn't believe in her ability to dream big and tells her to consider a different profession. Her mom told her, "If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.” Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents' encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space. This book will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars, to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination. Ages 3-8.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly

A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school--and two sisters on one's first day of hijab--by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong. Paired with Hatem Aly's beautiful, whimsical art, Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac

Twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life, each with a powerful refrain: We are still here!

Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. This companion book to the award-winning We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people's past, present, and future. Precise, lyrical writing presents topics including: forced assimilation (such as boarding schools), land allotment and Native tribal reorganization, termination (the US government not recognizing tribes as nations), Native urban relocation (from reservations), self-determination (tribal self-empowerment), Native civil rights, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), religious freedom, economic development (including casino development), Native language revival efforts, cultural persistence, and nationhood. Ages 7-10.

Missing Daddy by Mariame Kaba, illustrated by bria royal

A father and daughter's love cannot be broken even when prison bars separate them.

“This book is a crucial tool for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the well-being of children who, through no fault of their own, are forced to bear the consequences of our country’s obsession with incarceration. For children who desperately miss their parents, feel confused, or are teased at school, this book can go a long way in letting them know that they are not alone and in normalizing their experiences.” —Eve L. Ewing

A little girl who misses her father because he's away in prison shares how his absence affects different parts of her life. Her greatest excitement is the days when she gets to visit her beloved father. With gorgeous illustrations throughout, this book illuminates the heartaches of dealing with missing a parent. Ages 4-8.

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

An upbeat, empowering, important picture book from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. I am / a nonstop ball of energy. / Powerful and full of light. / I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader.
The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He’s got big plans, and no doubt he’ll see them through–as he’s creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he’s afraid, because he’s so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you–and shows you–who they are. There are superheroes in our midst! Ages 3-7.

Teaching Guide

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James

The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices.

A fresh cut makes boys fly.

This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of Black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror. Ages 4-8.

Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison

An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of Black men in history. Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include writer James Baldwin, artist Aaron Douglas, filmmaker Oscar Devereaux Micheaux, lawman Bass Reeves, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, and musician Prince. The legends in Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History span centuries and continents, but each one has blazed a trail for generations to come. Ages 8-12.

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption―a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.

Water is the first medicine.
It affects and connects us all . . .

When a snake threatens to destroy the Earth
And poison her people’s water, one young water protector
Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

It's up to Daddy to give his daughter an extra-special hair style in this ode to self-confidence and the love between fathers and daughters, from Academy-Award winning director and former NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and New York Times bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison. Zuri's hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it's beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he'll do anything to make her -- and her hair -- happy. Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair -- and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. Ages 4-8.

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles and Erika Meza

A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy’s life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care.

Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It’s close–just down the street from his school–and it’s a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they’re greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with stunning watercolor illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son’s weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Available in English and Spanish. Ages 4-8.

Teachers Guide

The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren, illustrated by Fabio Santomauro

The story of neighbors in a small Danish fishing village who, during the Holocaust, shelter a Jewish family waiting to be ferried to safety in Sweden. It is 1943 in Nazi-occupied Denmark. Anett and her parents are hiding a Jewish woman and her son, Carl, in their cellar until a fishing boat can take them across the sound to Sweden. The soldiers patrolling their street are growing suspicious, so Carl and his mama must make their way to the harbor despite a cloudy sky with no moon to guide them. Worried about their safety, Anett devises a clever plan for their safe passage to the harbor. Based on a true story. Ages 7–11.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty. Ages 4-8.

When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett

When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother’s garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away. When We Were Alone is a story about a difficult time in history and, ultimately, one of resilience, empowerment and strength. Ages 4–8.

This book was selected for this list by critical Indigenous scholar Dr. Debbie Reese of American Indians in Children’s Literature.

Teaching Guide

When Aidan Became A Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl’s room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn’t fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life.

Then Mom and Dad announce that they’re going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning—from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does “making things right” actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self.

When Aidan Became a Brother is a heartwarming book that will resonate with transgender children, reassure any child concerned about becoming an older sibling, and celebrate the many transitions a family can experience. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

The true story of the young Jewish immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history.

This picture book biography about Ukrainian immigrant Clara Lemlich tackles topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry. The art, by Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet, beautifully incorporates stitching and fabric. A bibliography and an author's note on the garment industry are included.

When Clara arrived in America, she couldn't speak English. She didn't know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast.

But that didn't stop Clara. She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a shirtwaist factory.

Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen.

From her short time in America, Clara learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to.

This picture book biography about the plight of immigrants in America in the early 1900s and the timeless fight for equality and justice should not be missed. Ages 4-8.

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Ruth was so excited to take a trip in her family’s new car! In the early 1950s, few African Americans could afford to buy cars, so this would be an adventure. But she soon found out that Black travelers weren’t treated very well in some towns. Many hotels and gas stations refused service to Black people. Daddy was upset about something called Jim Crow laws. Finally, a friendly attendant at a gas station showed Ruth’s family The Green Book. It listed all of the places that would welcome Black travelers. With this guidebook — and the kindness of strangers — Ruth could finally make a safe journey from Chicago to her grandma’s house in Alabama. Ruth’s story is fiction, but The Green Book and its role in helping a generation of African American travelers avoid some of the indignities of Jim Crow are historical fact. Ages 7–11.

Teaching Guide

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh

Almost 10 years before Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. Mendez, an American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, was denied enrollment to a “whites only” school. Her parents took action by organizing the Latinx community and filing a lawsuit in federal district court. Their success eventually brought an end to the era of segregated education in California. Ages 6–9.

Teaching Guide

I Can Write the World by Joshunda Sanders and Charly Palmer

ight-year-old Ava Murray wants to know why there’s a difference between the warm, friendly Bronx neighborhood filled with music and art in which she lives and the Bronx she sees in news stories on TV and on the Internet. When her mother explains that the power of stories lies in the hands of those who write them, Ava decides to become a journalist.

I Can Write the World follows Ava as she explores her vibrant South Bronx neighborhood - buildings whose walls boast gorgeous murals of historical figures as well as intricate, colorful street art, the dozens of different languages and dialects coming from the mouths of passersby, the many types of music coming out of neighbors’ windows and passing cars. In reporting how the music and art and culture of her neighborhood reflect the diversity of the people of New York City, Ava shows the world as she sees it, revealing to children the power of their own voice. Ages 5-8.

Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Lea Lyon

Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them in the lunchroom.

Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs. Ages 5-8.

Teaching Guide

Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Leslie Staub

A touching tale of parent-child separation and immigration, from a National Book Award finalist.

After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good.

With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference. Ages 5-8.

Teaching Guide

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar

An inspiring picture book biography of storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, who championed bilingual literature.

When she came to America in 1921, Pura Belpré carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy.

Brought to colorful life by Paola Escobar’s elegant and exuberant illustrations and Anika Aldamuy Denise’s lyrical text, this gorgeous book is perfect for the pioneers in your life.

Informative backmatter and suggested further reading included.

A Spanish-language edition, Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos, is also available.

Teaching Guide

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and Dan Santat

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens-with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.

With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picture book about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come. Ages 3-6.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed. Award-winning poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni's evocative text combines with Bryan Collier's striking cut-paper images to retell the story of this historic event from a wholly unique and original perspective. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey. Ages 3-7.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, illustrated by Laura Freeman

Based on the New York Times bestselling book and the Academy Award–nominated movie, author Margot Lee Shetterly and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winner Laura Freeman bring the incredibly inspiring true story of four Black women who helped NASA launch men into space to picture book readers! Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good. They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so when being Black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world. In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career. Ages 4-8.

Teaching Guide

Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Laura Freeman

Philip Freelon's grandfather was an acclaimed painter of the Harlem Renaissance. His father was a successful businessman who attended the 1963 March on Washington. When Phil decided to attend architecture school, he created his own focus on African American and Islamic designers. He later chose not to build casinos or prisons, instead concentrating on schools, libraries, and museums--buildings that connect people with heritage and fill hearts with joy. And in 2009, Phil's team won a commission that let him use his personal history in service to the country's: the extraordinary Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon celebrates a contemporary black STEAM role model, a man whose quiet work enabled the creation of an iconic building reflecting America's past and future. With a stirring text by Kelly Starling Lyons, vibrant pictures by Laura Freeman, and an afterword from Philip Freelon himself, it is sure to inspire the next generation of dreamers and builders. Ages 5-10.

Teaching Guide

Kamala and Maya's Big Idea by Meena Harris

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY FROM THE CHILDHOOD OF VICE PRESIDENT–ELECT KAMALA HARRIS!

A beautiful, empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of the author’s aunt, Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer and policy expert Maya Harris.

One day, Kamala and Maya had an idea. A big idea: They would turn their empty apartment courtyard into a playground!

This is the uplifting tale of how the author’s aunt and mother first learned to persevere in the face of disappointment and turned a dream into reality. This is a story of children’s ability to make a difference and of a community coming together to transform their neighborhood. Ages 4-8.

Activity Guide.

We Are Grateful, Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac

The Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah. Ages 3–7.

This book was selected for this list by critical Indigenous scholar Dr. Debbie Reese of American Indians in Children’s Literature.

Teaching Guide

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children's books to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance - the conscious kid

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What's in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from - and who she may one day be. If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six!

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﻿ As early as 3-6 months, babies notice and respond differently to people based on race (Kelly et al., 2005). By age 3, children categorize and express bias based on race, and may even use racist language intentionally (Van Ausdale and Feagin, 2001). Before your child can talk, they are already learning about the world, and about race, through your actions.

Who is coming over to the house to visit? Who do they see when they are out and about in the neighborhood? What music are they hearing? What kind of artwork is hanging up on the walls? Are the main characters in the books they read predominantly white? How about the shows and movies they are watching? What race is their pediatrician, principal, and teacher?

Be intentional about seeking out, valuing, and supporting creators, authors, colleagues, neighbors, professionals, and educators of color. You can tell kids "Black Lives Matter" and to value "diversity", but it won't mean much unless your actions show it.

It is important to name whiteness and for white people to identify as "white". Not naming or claiming the word "white" masks whiteness, white supremacy, and white privilege, power, and history as members of the dominant racial group. When white kids learn about racism, they may experience being white as a source of shame or guilt (Tatum, 2017). Share with them examples of white people who have utilized their power and privilege to take action against racism and oppression, and how they can commit to doing the same (Tatum, 2017). Ask them their ideas on how they can speak up and take action against racism and support them in incorporating this as an ongoing practice and action.

We can't fix a problem until we name it. Naming systems of inequity, such as white supremacy and racism, is key to disrupting their impact on the development of young children. Naming not only brings about an awareness of longstanding, systematic racism, but positively affirms the identities and resistance of oppressed communities (Freire, 1970; Ladson-Billings & Tate,1995; Richerme, 2016). Naming also empowers young children with the vocabulary and shared language needed to identify inequity and take action on their own as they become more experienced around issues of race and social justice.

Having open conversations with children about race creates opportunities to provide them with accurate information so that when they see stereotypes or hear misinformation, they have their own foundation of factual knowledge and understanding from which to draw (Tatum, 2017). Shaming, shushing, or shutting down young children for asking questions about race, even if they make a comment that is inaccurate or racist, doesn't make the questions go away, it just means they go unanswered and unchecked (Tatum, 2017).

A best-practice approach is to probe deeper on the assumptions behind the questions and comments so you can understand your child's thought process, provide factual information and answers, and correct any misinformation (Tatum, 2017). If you get asked a question that you are not sure how to answer, you can model that it's okay not to have all the answers, ways to go about obtaining the information (i.e. do an internet search/look it up), and even do this together (Tatum, 2017).

While having conversations with young children, make sure you aren't the only one talking. Interact with children and hear their perspectives and how they are perceiving and taking in events and issues. Kids interacting and speaking about issues of race is a sign that they are engaged in the topic and that deep learning is taking place.

Black and Brown caregivers can work to find spaces of resilience, continue to strengthen our understanding of race and resistance, and process our own race-related stress and trauma. Racism impacts the mental, physical, and emotional health of our kids, however, if we are intentional and addressing it adequately, race can become a framework of dignity and resilience. When speaking of Black communities and communities of color, conversations about race are not a choice. These conversations begin at birth, and can be a tool for both survival and persistence. Deepening our critical understanding around experiences of race that we endure helps to create resistance and navigational capital that can be passed down to future generations (Yosso, 2005).

If you are white, can you talk about and explain what that means? And not only what it means, but the ways in which you perpetuate and benefit from white supremacy at the expense of Black people and people of color. While it's important to not put the responsibility of your education about race on the shoulders of Black and Brown communities, it is still important to value and compensate the expertise and experiential knowledge of people of color.

There is a specific and pressing need to have conversations about anti-Blackness with children. No matter where you are on the globe, when speaking of racial hierarchies, Blackness is at the bottom. This is mainly because of colorism that intersects with race. Even within communities of color, the darker the skin (or cultural practice or associated with dark skin), the more negative the perceptions are of that person or practice. And it's not just a matter of perception: darker-skinned people experience limitations on social, economic, educational, and relational opportunities based on skin color. Darker-skinned girls are three times more likely to be suspended from school than their lighter-skinned peers, dark-skinned women are less likely to be married, darker-skinned Black people are perceived as less intelligent, and darker-skinned Black men make less money then lighter-skinned Black men (Greenidge, 2019; Goldsmith, 2007).

Blackness intersects with all communities, including communities of color. The anti-Blackness within each of our individual communities perpetuates white supremacy and the continued violence against the Black community, and it is everyone's responsibility to resist it (Park, 2020).

When speaking to children about race, it's important for white people and non-Black people of color to communicate positive affirmations about Blackness and identify and speak up against the anti-Blackness present in themselves and their communities.

Racism is not limited to the individual choices of "bad people." It is structural and embedded into all aspects of society, including laws, institutional policies, dominant cultural norms, and our very own consciousness.

"Without a structural analysis of racism, it is impossible to understand why, and the extent to which, race continues to matter. Understanding structural racism helps change the conversation from one of individual culpability to one in which we are all heavily influenced by our position within a system of racial stratification" (Michael and Bartoli, 2014).

The Unequal Opportunity Race is a short educational video produced by the African American Policy Forum (founded by Kimberlé Crenshaw and Dr. Luke Charles Harris)to demonstrate how inequity is built into the very framework of our society. This video is a great visual way to teach kids about structural racism.

Research shows that Black kids and kids of color have better psychological, physiological, behavioral, and academic outcomes when parents instill a combination of pride and preparation in their children: pride in their sense of identity and preparation for discrimination experiences and threats to their safety and well-being (Okeke-Adeyanji, et al., 2014). Preparing youth for the bias and racist experiences they will inevitably face can buffer against the negative impact of racism and should include strategies for coping and taking action. Not having these conversations with Black children and children of color can lead to more distress due to the shock of unexpected racism (Dunbar, 2017).

Beyond conversation, when children of color are committed to, and supported in, taking action against racial inequity, research shows that it can replace feelings of isolation and self-blame for their experiences, and increase academic engagement and achievement (El-Amin and Seider, et al., 2017).

It's important for children of all races, including white children, to see positive affirmations and narratives surrounding people of color, and Blackness in particular. Research shows that messaging surrounding race, whether it be positive or negative, shape children's racial attitudes (Wilson, 2014).

It's not enough for kids to know how to talk about or identify racism, they need to know what they can do about it (Tatum, 2017). Provide children with models and examples of the work that people of all races are doing towards racial equity and start to engage them in actions they can start taking. If they enter their preschool or elementary classroom and see that all of the books only feature white characters, ask them why they think that is, and what might be done to change it. Brainstorm and work together on ways to address inequitable representation, for example, by writing a letter to the teacher or school administrator to advocate that the classroom materials and curriculum acknowledges and reflects that over 50% of children in the United States are children of color and that 88.5% of the global population are people of color.

Talking to kids about race is a means, not an end. It should be done with a goal of moving towards action and disrupting individual, internalized, and structural racism.

What you say as a parent is not nearly as important as what you do-and everything you do, from where you choose to live, work, eat, travel, shop, enroll your child in school; who you choose to spend time with; and what you choose to read, watch, listen to, play, and buy-are all teaching your kids about race and who and what you value, regardless of what you say or what your intentions are (Hagerman, 2018). More importantly, the actions you take on a daily basis are either reinforcing or disrupting racism. Hold yourself accountable as the primary teacher and model for your children on race and racism. Equity has to become a daily practice in all actions and interactions.

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How to Talk to Kids About Race - the conscious kid

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﻿ As early as 3-6 months, babies notice and respond differently to people based on race (Kelly et al., 2005). By age 3, children categorize and express bias based on race, and may even use racist language intentionally (Van Ausdale and Feagin, 2001).

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A list of nonfiction books to help examine anti-Black racism and the fight for antiracism in The United States.

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Schools across the nation are committing to the all-important work of anti-racism. Schools with predominately white or privileged students should be no exception.

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For my white friends who ask if I am OK, the answer is, "No, I am not OK."

To ask that question of me right now-amid this COVID-19 pandemic that is disproportionately killing Black and Brown people in the United States and the trauma resulting from the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd-comes off as potentially insensitive.

The unrest across this country and the globe is bigger than George Floyd. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about the parallel plagues of American racism and COVID-19. What it means to deal with American racism in all its insidious forms, police brutality, human loss and suffering cannot be captured in media sound bites.

So no, I am not OK, and I am not alone in not being OK.

I am not OK when my 2017 call for white allies to step up after Charlottesville applies to Minneapolis now and could potentially apply to Anytown, USA.

I am not OK when I know that jogging in the "wrong neighborhood" can lead to a young Black man's death in Georgia, my home state, or that allegedly forging a check can lead to a Black man's suffocation at the hands of Minnesota police while other police stand by doing nothing to intervene.

I am not OK when I recall being told by white police to stop jogging in a "white neighborhood" in Birmingham, Alabama, because my presence made the home dwellers nervous. I am not OK when I realize I could have been a newspaper headline or crime statistic when I tried to explain the purpose of our Saturday morning community homeless outreach to a police sergeant who became more and more agitated.

I am not OK when I am stopped in Sierra Vista, Arizona, for speeding but asked three times by the ticketing officer, "Where are you from?" as though my answers-Phoenix, as my driver's license shows, and Georgia before Arizona-are not "exotic" enough to explain my locs and skin color.

I am also not OK when I see so many Facebook posts and threads of alleged white allies asking Black folk to give them a blueprint of how and where to direct their alleged anger and outrage.

I'm not OK with an alleged ally asking an already vulnerable and justifiably angry Black woman to organize a panel of other women of color to "brainstorm on solutions to American racism."

I'm not OK with complaints about the destruction of property during protests and contentions that "peaceful protest" and " civility" are all that's needed to address this plague of American racism. What has Colin Kaepernick's peaceful protest against police brutality done? How did the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's steadfast fight for justice end? His was the same end as that of an "angrier" Malcolm X.

"Don't act like everyone loved my father," Bernice King tweeted last month. "He was assassinated. A 1967 poll reflected that he was one of the most hated men in America. Most hated. Many who quote him now and evoke him to deter justice today would likely hate, and may already hate, the authentic King."

To be clear, I do not legitimize violence as a principle. But I ask that concerned individuals-Black, white and otherwise-measure the impact of destroying property as compared to killing people. Nor am I in any way minimizing or advocating for the destruction of property, potentially the source of another's livelihood. What I am keenly aware of, however, is the legitimacy of expressing anger, hurt and pain and responding viscerally to serial injustices in our "land of the free and home of the brave."

Property can be rebuilt. Dead bodies cannot be resurrected.

No, I am not OK with so many stories of innocent Black men who spend years in prison for crimes later determined they did not commit. I am not OK when Michael Donald is hunted like an animal, beaten, shot and hung from a tree by white men in Mobile, Alabama, as a symbol of the illusion of white supremacy in the Deep South. I am not OK when Sandra Bland is pulled from her car by a police officer and perceived as a threat because she has a lit cigarette and dares to speak back. I am not OK with Carolyn Bryant admitting that Emmett Till did nothing years after he was killed by her husband and brother-in-law and the world grieved with his mother, Mamie.

This moment's unrest is not just about George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Tamir Rice, Oscar Grant, Kathryn Johnston, Alberta Spruill or Botham Jean. It is about 400 years of tragic moments like these since the first Africans were forcibly brought to this country. This moment is about the reality of Black American identities in this country, a clamoring to declare our own humanity.

Lest we also forget: I am not OK with the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the Atlanta Child Murders, the Scottsboro Boys, Amy Cooper's faux fear of a Black male bird watcher, Susan Smith's bigger-than-a-little-white-lie that a Black man kidnapped her two small children when she herself drowned them, or the recent tsunami of " White People Calling the Police on Black People" for just living. How is anyone OK with the individual and collective stories of American racial injustice?

I fully understand singer Lauryn Hill's laments in "Black Rage," which she dedicates to Michael Brown's death in 2014: "Black rage is founded on two-thirds a person. Rapings and beatings and suffering that worsens/ Black human packages tied up in strings/ Black rage can come from all these kinds of things."

So, no, I am not OK. If you are paying attention to what's happening in this country, and when you know our American and world history regarding our inhumanity to each other based on race-and all other systemic -isms that oppress and dehumanize-how can anyone be OK?

How can anyone be OK when people are pushed to the edge from decades of having their humanity denied? How can anyone in the United States with their humanity-their empathy, respect, integrity and compassion-intact be OK with racial violence in what we call the U.S. since the colonial era?

If you are OK, perhaps your commitment to fundamental humanity as it fundamentally connects to social justice is not as deep as you believe. We are not all in this together. All lives do not matter and never have.

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For my white friends who ask if I am OK, the answer is, "No, I am not OK." To ask that question of me right now-amid this COVID-19 pandemic that is disproportionately killing Black and Brown people in the United States and the trauma resulting from the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd-comes off as potentially insensitive.

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Abolitionist Teaching & The Future of Our Schools

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Abolitionist Teaching & The Future of Our Schools

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Abolitionist Teaching and the Future of Our Schools

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158 Resources for Understanding Racism in America

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158 Resources for Understanding Racism in America

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Includes articles, videos, podcasts and websites.

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158 Resources for Understanding Systemic Racism in America

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These articles, videos, podcasts and websites from the Smithsonian chronicle the history of anti-black violence and inequality in the United States

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watch the entire cnn/sesame street racism town hall - cnn

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Watch the entire CNN/Sesame Street racism town hall

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CNN's Van Jones and Erica Hill partner with "Sesame Street" for Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families. Watch the town hall in its entirety below:

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Kids' TV shows that teach anti-racism, celebrate diversity

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Children should spend no more than an hour every day looking at screens, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

But this is 2020, a pandemic, work-from-home-plus-kids-and-virtual-school world.

This is also a world reeling from the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people at the hands of police - a world exposing systemic racism and fighting for equality. And our kids are watching.
What do we tell them? Should we tell them?
USA TODAY talked to media experts who say "yes" and are calling for a transformation in youth programming, in both representation of people of color and in anti-racism education.

"This is essential to the changes that we have to see in the country," says Maria Alvarez, vice president of Common Sense Latino, part of Common Sense Media. She says children respond when they see kids like themselves portrayed "in positive ways, in ways that are inspiring, that they take leadership roles, that they are the heroes and not always the bad guys in the story."

But while having TV shows with diverse characters is an improvement in children's programming, it's not enough.

Ramon Stephens, executive director of The Conscious Kid, says that in order to actually shift racial attitudes, we need to talk about race and racism, as well. Content should "unpack specific examples of what racism looks like" and how it affects people in real life, he says.

Some major networks are trying to answer the call. With help from Alvarez and Stephens, we've compiled a list of five current and upcoming TV specials or shows that help explain racism to kids and aim to spur conversations.

"If we speak at home with our little ones about different families in our community with respect, with empathy, with understanding and appreciation, that should go a long way," Alvarez says. "Everything starts at home."

'Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special'

What it's about: The hour-long special with host Alicia Keys brings together "future leaders and activists" to amplify young Black voices and provide a "safe space" to discuss race. The Nickelodeon special focuses on the voices of youth and their experiences with racism, and several celebrities, including Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, musician Chance the Rapper, comedian Kevin Hart and supermodel Naomi Campbell, share messages and words of encouragement.

How to watch: Find it on YouTube.

'Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism'

What it's about: Elmo, Elmo's dad Louie, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and more of your favorite "Sesame Street" friends answer kids' questions about racism, protests and the world around us. Joining them are Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Philadelphia Police Chief Charles Ramsey, and other experts. The 60-minute special is a team effort from "Sesame Street" and CNN and hosted by CNN commentator Van Jones and anchor and national correspondent Erica Hill.

How to watch: Find it on CNN.
Looking for books about racism?:Keep reading: 100 Black novelists and fiction writers, from Abi Daré to Zora Neale Hurston Experts suggest these must-read titles for adults and kids
'ARTHUR on Racism: Talk, Listen, and Act'

What it's about: In this video short, Arthur and Buster saw a clip online of someone getting hurt "just because they were Black." So they seek advice from their lunch lady, Mrs. MacGrady, on ways they can help fight racism. She tells them to talk about racism with their friends, parents and teachers, to listen to those who have experienced racism and speak up when someone is being treated unfairly.

How to watch: Find it on PBS.

'Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices'

What it's about: Netflix is launching a new series hosted by 15-year-old activist Marley Dias, founder of 1000 Black Girl Books. The episodes feature Black celebrities like Tiffany Haddish, Lupita Nyong'o, Marsai Martin, and Common reading children's books from Black authors. As the celebrities read, they talk about the message of the book and share their connection with it.

How to watch: Find it on Netflix starting Sept. 1.

'PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism'

What it's about: This half-hour TV special will feature PBS favorites like Daniel Tiger, Arthur and Xavier Riddle. According to a press release, the show will have "kids and their parents talking about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way, such as noticing differences in race, understanding what racism can look like, and embracing the role we all have to play in standing up for ourselves and each other."

How to watch: The special debuts Oct. 9 as part of PBS Kids Family Night on the PBS Kids 24/7 channel and will be available on all PBS Kids platforms.

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'Everything starts at home': Kids' TV shows that teach anti-racism, celebrate diversity

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Children should spend no more than an hour every day looking at screens, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. But this is 2020, a pandemic, work-from-home-plus-kids-and-virtual-school world. This is also a world reeling from the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people at the hands of police - a world exposing systemic racism and fighting for equality.