In the lesson “Critical Race Theory: A Brief History” from the New York Times’ Learning Network, students will learn how an academic legal framework developed during the 1980s for understanding racism in the United States has become a hot-button political issue 40 years later and examine the spread of legislation opposed to critical race theory. Read more ›
Talking about race makes a lot of people feel like squirming away. And even as there has been more widespread acknowledgement that race should be at the center of conversations about inequity, people still get scared or freeze up when it’s mentioned. This can leave a person wondering, “Is there anyone who is good at navigating these types of conversations?” Read more ›
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on October 8, 2021, making California the first state to require all students to complete a semester-long course in ethnic studies to earn a high school diploma.
The mandate will take effect starting with the graduating class of 2029-30, although high schools must start to offer courses starting in the 2025-26 school year. Hundreds of high schools already have such courses, and Los Angeles Unified and Fresno Unified voted last year to require students to take ethnic studies. Read more ›
We are all different. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to teach our kids how differences enrich our lives and enhance our communities. How can you help them value diversity and see it as a strength? Read more ›
In many situations, especially difficult ones, children’s books share messages and teach lessons better than a parent or family member could. This holds especially true when it comes to kids learning about differences ― different races, different religions, different abilities and more. Read more ›
Our children receive messages about race all the time – from books, games, movies, television, teachers, family friends and family members, neighbors and neighborhoods, their peers, and from you. They learn from what you say and do, from what you don’t say and don’t do. As adults in the lives of children, we play a crucial role in shaping how and what they learn about race. Read more ›
As our society becomes more diverse, children are increasingly exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures. It is only natural that young children wonder about those who are different from them in some way, so it’s important to teach your child about the value of diversity. Read more ›
What children are exposed to early on shapes them forever, and that’s certainly true when it comes to diversity and acceptance. Parents basically have a decade-ish to fundamentally influence how their children view and value diversity, while living within a broader system in which inequality is rampant. Read more ›
We see images and hear conversations about racial injustice almost every day. As a parent, you might find it easier to be silent or ignore, but it’s important to view these as opportunities to talk with your kids about what they are seeing and hearing.
How do you have those conversations with your kids? For each family, this conversation might look a bit different, depending on your own heritage and experience. Read more ›
Children are never too young to learn about diversity. As young as 3 months old, they may look differently at people who look like or don’t look like their primary caregivers. As parents and caregivers, we must have confidence in ourselves and in our children — that we, and they, can handle tough topics and tough situations. We must understand that our role is to be honest, specific, and trustworthy as we raise the next generation to confront racial injustice. Read more ›
