Resources on Racism and Ferguson

In light of the grand jury's decision in Ferguson yesterday, liberal educators from around the nation began sharing resources on racism and Ferguson.  Then, a very wonderful colleague of mine, Natalie Spriggs-Trobridge of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, compiled all those resources into one comprehensive list, which I am sharing with you today.

Thank you Natalie, and all the wonderful religious educators, who made this list possible.

Parenting Resources

The Murder of Sean Bell: From Pain to Poetry

This piece explores fears of black middle school students. Really powerful, eye-­opening read for teens & parents, and this definitely promotes, invokes importance of empathy.

Syllabus: Talking to Kids about Racism

This resource provides information on talking with children & teens about racism, suggesting a move beyond a focus on individual racial prejudice to systemic bias.

A Little White Girl's First Experience of Racism

An essay which uses narrative to explore themes of racism and inequality.

Ferguson ­specific parenting, teaching resources

5 Ways to Teach about Mike Brown & Ferguson (Huffington Post)

PBS: Talking to Kids About Ferguson

Educators use Twitter to Teach About Ferguson

Know Your Rights: Demonstrations and Protests

General Education on Systemic Discrimination

When You're the Only White Person in the Room ­ Blake, John

Here's a REALLY good one, recently released. Strong, yet opens dialogue instead of closing it.

What Side of History Are You On? ­ Rimington, Jess

This recent piece is worth the read and has a lot in it to at least consider.

Black Feminisism and Intersectionality ­ Smith, Sharon

A great, GREAT essay that is readable, and packed with facts.

The Case For Reparations ­ Coates, Ta­Nehisi

From a senior writer at The Atlantic, this is a long essay and was shared hundreds of thousands of times. It may be the best essay on race thus far in the 21st century. It is worth every minute.

The Intercultural Development Inventory ­ Hammer, Mitchell R

An academic description of intercultural competency, which includes ideas about where you might be and where our culture is.

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack ­ McIntosh, Peggy

A seminal essay in the study of race and whiteness. It's pretty readable and very thought provoking.

The Erasing of Women & Their Athletic Achievements ­ Alexander, Valerie

While it's "about" the Women's & Men's World Cups, this essay truly calls us to examine our language and broaden our perspectives.

Books

The Selma Awakening: How the Civil Rights Movement Tested and Changed Unitarian Universalism ­ Morrison­Reed, Mark D

From a UU minister and historian, a new book on the story of UU involvement in the Civil Rights movement and our more recent history.

Faith Without Certainty: Liberal Theology in the 21st Century ­ Rasor, Paul

By a UU theologian, includes an analysis of race and justice.

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life ­ Rosenberg, Marshall B.:

A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America ­ Takaki, Ronald

An excellent history of the stories of different immigrants to this country

Learning to Be White: Money, Race and God in America ­ Thandeka

From a UU theologian, a theological and social analysis of how race has developed and is embedded in economics and religion.

The Arc of the Universe is Long: Unitarian Universalists, Anti­Racism and the Journey from Calgary ­ Morris, Leslie Takahashi, Chip Roush and Leon Spencer

A lengthy look at the history of racism and justice in our Unitarian Universalist Association.

Peace to you,

- Ms. Meredith