Resources for
Raising Antiracist Kids
Families for Climate stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
As we and our families grapple with the intersecting crises of racism, police violence, COVID-19, and climate change, we join our voices with people around the country and around the world in fighting for justice, equity, and the future we want to see for all children.
We recognize that our climate crisis and racial justice are inextricably linked. The systems of oppression and exploitation that have fueled racial injustice in our society are also at the root of the climate crisis, and cause Black people and communities of color to be disproportionately impacted by climate change. We cannot solve the climate challenge without addressing systemic racism and exploitation of people and our earth. Put another way, “You can’t have climate change without sacrifice zones, and you can’t have sacrifice zones without disposable people, and you can't have disposable people without racism.” - Hop Hopkins
If you'd like to learn more about the connection between racial justice and climate justice, we recommend the following:
I’m a Black Climate Expert. Racism Derails our Efforts to Save the Planet. By Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Washington Post (June 2020)
TEDx talk on racism, colonialism & climate by youth climate activist, Jamie Margolin (June 2019)
Black Environmentalists on Climate and Anti-Racism (New York Times, June 2020)
Racism is killing the planet: the ideology of white supremacy leads the way toward disposable people and a disposable natural world by Hop Hopkins (Sierra, June 2020)
There is No Climate Justice Without Racial Justice (Yes Magazine, June 2020)
What We Must Do To Dismantle White Supremacy - Webinar for climate activists, by 350.org (June 2020). If you don’t have time to watch the whole thing right now, start with this quick video: Climate Activists for Black Lives
We at Families for Climate are committed to being actively anti-racist as an organization, as individuals, and as parents. We recognize the importance of talking with young people about racism and striving to raise anti-racist kids, while addressing our own internal biases. Here are some valuable resources that we recommend for parents and children:
Articles & resource lists:
Watch: Sesame Street town hall on racism
Authors Ibram X. Kendi & Derecka Purnell discuss raising antiracist kids (June 2020)
Follow / subscribe: Anti-Racist Kids PDX (Facebook group), The Conscious Kid (Instragram), Code Switch (NPR podcast), Anti-Racism Daily
Kids books on race and social justice:
Coretta Scott King book award winners
Many books are currently unavailable due to high demand, so here are a few with online read-alouds or interviews from their authors:
The Skin You Live In (Ages 2+)
Something Happened in Our Town (Ages 4+)
A Kids’ Book About Racism (Age 5+)
Not my Idea - A book About Whiteness (Ages 8+)
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You (Ages 12+) Interview & Excerpt
In solidarity with Movement for Black Lives, we support the demands to divest from oppressive systems of policing and invest in the well-being of Black communities. The dehumanization, criminalization & brutality must stop.
Read: Climate Activists: Here’s Why Your Work Depends on Ending Police Violence by Dany Sigwalt (Medium, June 2020)
Watch: 13th (Feature film, streaming free)
Learn about local demands to defund police and reinvest in communities here in Portland.
Actions you can take now for racial justice:
Think, learn & talk with your family about what it means to be actively anti-racist (and not an optical ally) and how you will continue to stand up for Black lives and racial justice in the long-term.
Support Black-owned businesses & African-American children's musicians
Donate: This mutual aid spreadsheet from Don't Shoot PDX has donation links to people & organizations on the front-lines of the movement, including community bail funds, street medic support, legal representation and more.
Participate in a #BLM demonstration. This calendar of Portland Black Lives Matter actions includes many that are kid & family-centered (physically distanced, with masks).
Sign this petition to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, whose killers haven't been fired from the police force.
We greatly appreciate all of the work being done in families and communities to advocate for justice and a better future. We are all in this together. Let's keep it up!