Last week we paused all content on our social media channels to listen, learn, and reflect on the topics of racism and equality. We realize a single gesture on social media will not create change. The roots of change begin with education; with compassion and empathy for others; with self-examination, with asking hard questions, and with acknowledging that we can do better.
With this in mind, we have collaborated with our librarians, counsellors, and faculty to compile a list of resources to deepen our understanding of racism, promote diverse perspectives, and encourage dialogue about racial justice in our classrooms, offices, homes, and community.
Below are a list of some resources that can help educate and start/continue the conversation of racism and equality.
Books
Junior School List
Recommended Reading Age: 5+
- The Skin You Live In by Michael J. Tyler
- The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
- Don’t Laugh at Me by Allen Shamblin and Steve Seskin
- Shades of People by Sheila M. Kelly and Shelley Rotner
- The Peace Book by Todd Parr
- Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
- If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold
- Meet Viola Desmond by Elizabeth MacLeod / Illustrated by Mike Deas
- IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi
- It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
- Racism and Intolerance (Children in our World Series) by Louise Spilsbury and Hanane Kai
- My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringgold
Recommended Reading Age: 9+
- Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
- Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
- Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj
- Stamped by Jason Reynolds
Senior School List
Young Adult Fiction
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds (basically anything by Jason Reynolds!)
- Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- Light It Up by Kekla Magoon
- I’m Not Dying With You Tonight by Kimberly Jones
- Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
- Anger Is A Gift by Mark Oshiro
Nonfiction·
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- Dreams from my Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
- The Fire this Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by Jesmyn Ward
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Racial and Cultural Intolerance by Samantha Bell
- Six Days in Cincinnati by Dan Moore
- Racial Profiling: Everyday Inequality by Alison Behnke
- Jailed for Life for Being Black: The Story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter
- Racial Profiling by Carol Ullmann
- Racial Profiling by Kathy Hahn
Adult Fiction
- Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
- Everybody’s Son by Thirty Umrigar
- Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer
- Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Blog Post
Learning Opportunity
Videos
- Why we need to Talk to Children about Race & Difference by Biz Lindsay-Ryan
- A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
- How to Talk to Kids About Race
- Read Aloud: All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
What Can I Do to Help?
- Research and learn
- Stand up to racism when you hear/see it
- Sign as many petitions as possible
- Talk about it! Have conversations
- Think about it! Are your actions/words harmful even without intent?
- Research non-profits and donate if/what you can
There is always room for education and growth and we are committed to learning and growing alongside our community.
“When we know better, we do better.” - Maya Angelou