References & Tools
Suggested Resources for Educators and Students
What is Interact?
Interact Clubs are established and operate in local high schools, including: Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan counties in West Virginia.
Interact is a service club for youth ages 12 to 18 who want to connect with other young people and have fun while serving their communities and learning about the world. Clubs, which meet at least twice a month, are sponsored by local Rotary clubs. Interact clubs organize two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding. Members of sponsor Rotary clubs mentor Interactors as they carry out the projects and develop leadership skills. (Read about Interact at Jefferson High School)
Ten Steps Toward Bridging Our Racial Divide
(By Margaret Mitchell, President & CEO, YWCA Greater Cleveland)
Here are 10 steps we can each take to step out of the shadows of silence:
- Learn about other people and their culture but go beyond foods and festivals.
- Explore the unfamiliar. Put yourself in situations where you are in the visible minority.
- Be a proactive parent. Talk to your children candidly about race.
- Don’t tell or laugh at stereotypical jokes.
- Think before you speak. Words can hurt whether you mean them to or not.
- Be a role model and help educate others regarding your own experiences.
- Don’t make assumptions because they are usually wrong and stereotypes are destructive.
- Consider how race and racism impact your life and those around you.
- Don’t let others get away with biased language or behavior- speak up and out.
- Take a position against hate and take a Stand Against Racism.
Documentary Films and Books
(a) Documentary Film: – The Long Shadow The Long Shadow captures the disturbing story of the enduring human cost of prejudice and ignorance in the US that continues to cast a long shadow over our national identity and values and ultimately, our celebrated democracy. Sally Holst, Frances Causey, and Erica Tanks.
(b) Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Confronts America’s History of Racial Inequality: search on Utube (3 ½ minutes) and EJI website (www.eji.ORG)
(c) Just Mercy (book and film): A Story of Justice and Redemption
A powerful true story about the Equal Justice Initiative, the people we represent, and the importance of confronting injustice, Just Mercy is a bestselling book by Bryan Stevenson that has been adapted into a feature film.
(d) True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality follows 30 years of EJI’s work on behalf of the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned. Stream on line.
(2) Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation, by Latasha Morrison (2019)
Curricula
Here are three curricula designed for use by trainers to develop their skills and add to their toolbox around racial history and equity.
Racial Equity Learning (REL) Modules, created by World Trust Educational Services, seeks to bridge the gap between inspiration and democratic action. You can find resources to support collective learning, and develop tools to dream of and reach for a world in which all are respected, valued, and able to thrive. REL modules may be purchased through World Trust Educational Services.
The Transforming White Privilege (TWP) curriculum, created by the CAPD, MP Associates, and World Trust, is designed to support current and emerging leaders identifying, talking about, and intervening to address white privilege and its consequences. The curriculum includes lesson plans, handouts, slides, and videos covering a number of key concepts, tools, and strategies for change. You can learn more information about the curriculum, including how to purchase it, here.
Equal Justice Initiative has prepared curriculum and discussion guides on various aspects of the history of racism that might be helpful for students (click on these links).
Resources for Educators and Students
Not in our Town/Not in our Schools: https://www.niot.org/nios Not In Our School is a program that creates safe, accepting and inclusive school communities. Not In Our School provides training, films, lesson plans and resources that inspire students to take the lead in standing up to bullying and intolerance in their schools.
From ChalkbeatExternal link : Moments like now are why we teach: Educators tackle tough conversations about race and violence—this time virtually
New York Times’ Lesson of the Day: “I Can’t Breathe”: 4 Minneapolis Officers Fired After Black Man Dies in CustodyExternal link
The “Equity Case Analysis Process”External link provides a step by step process for a structured discussion that analyzes a situation and leads to a brainstorming session on immediate and long term action.
“Exploring Solutions to Address Racial Disparity Concerns”External link is a high school lesson from the Anti-Defamation League. It was written after the Michael Brown incident, but it is still very relevant — the questions in step 2 are particularly relevant and guiding.
From the Share My Lesson website External link organized by the American Federation of Teachers, a timely lesson on the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests across the country.
From the educational reporting site ChalkbeatExternal link , authors Reema Amin, Caroline Bauman, and Stephanie Wang explain how educators across the country are addressing conversations about race/violence during this time.
Teaching About Race and Racism External link opens a new window. and Social Justice Issues External link opens a new window. – AFT Share My Lesson
Race and Equity ResourcesExternal link from the American School Counselor Association
Racial Equity Resource GuideExternal link opens a new window. – W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Resources for Parents and Students Regarding RacismExternal link opens a new window. – The School District of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Fla.
An Educators Guide to This Moment: Resources for Educators, Parents and StudentsExternal link opens a new window. – Montgomery County (Md.) Public Schools
Crossing Boundaries: How Intergroup Contact Can Reduce Racial Anxiety and Improve Race Relations by Administrator (U. of Mass., 2020)
https://news.gallup.com/poll/317327/record-satisfied-treatment-black-people.aspx
https://news.gallup.com/poll/317114/black-white-adults-confidence-diverges-police.aspx
Students are campaigning for more diverse texts, ethnic studies programs, and curriculums that highlight underrepresented groups.
https://www.vox.com/identities/2020/7/29/21345114/students-diversify-curriculum-change-antiracist
Rotary International Strategic Plan (2020; 10 minute overview):
