Anti-racism resources to address racism and bias in our schools

The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have ignited social activism around the country, including a movement to acknowledge and eradicate racism in our schools and education system. Schools are the heart of the community, and students look to their school leaders to set an example and take a stand against injustice. As communities looked on after massive protests erupted, many districts responded quickly by making anti-racism statements in support of Black Lives Matter, and some school boards passed anti-racism resolutions. These are small but important steps that show the community you care and will stand against racism. 

If your school board has not passed an anti-racism resolution, here are some examples:
•	Anti-racism template from the Ohio School Boards Association:  
https://bit.ly/2F5UMkl
•	Resolution Condemning Racism and Committing to Being an Anti-Racist School District from the Tigard-Tualatin School District 
www.ttsdschools.org/Page/9770

What else can you do to achieve racial equity? What actions can you take to support students of color? Here are some suggestions:

Provide anti-racism curriculum

Many students around the country are campaigning for schools to provide anti-racist curriculum and instruction. But you don’t have to wait for student demands to begin adopting new curriculum. Teaching Tolerance (www.tolerance.org) shares tips for providing anti-racism education in all schools (www.tolerance.org/magazine/all-students-need-antiracism-education). 

Anti-racist work should be done no matter your district’s demographics. According to Teaching Tolerance, districts that lack diversity “can feel hesitant to discuss these issues since they may not feel it affects them. This idea is a fundamental misunderstanding of what anti-racist work actually is.” Conversations about race are difficult, but necessary to bring awareness of racism in our educational systems and work against it. 

Anti-racism resources

These are challenging times. Anti-racism activism is happening during a global pandemic that has changed normal life. Schools are facing many operational challenges, but they can get started with help from these resources.

Teaching Tolerance 
Teaching Tolerance provides free educational resources on race, diversity and equity. It also provides self-guided professional development and facilitator guides complete with protocols, worksheets and presenter slides.
https://bit.ly/32UFQ0L

National Education Association’s EdJustice
National Education Association’s EdJustice has curriculum and classroom appropriate lesson plans on race, ethnicity and Black Lives Matter. 
https://neaedjustice.org/resource/black-lives-matter-school-resources

National Association of School Psychologists 
National Association of School Psychologists has lesson plans for students and staff on race, privilege and implicit bias. 
https://bit.ly/31Y6aIl

Anti-racism resources
A detailed list of anti-racist books, videos, podcasts compiled in support of Breonna Taylor can be found here.
https://bit.ly/32SbY5q

Provide a space to talk about race

According to author Ibram X. Kendi, “The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it — and then dismantle it.” Schools need to provide multiple opportunities for discussions about race. Empower students to form anti-racist coalitions and listen to their ideas. 

The National Education Association has published a resource guide to normalize race discussions. See tips or download the Racial Justice in Education guide: https://bit.ly/3gXgl4b
•	Create a welcoming classroom and school 
•	Root out biases and barriers
•	Encourage self-expression
•	Be open yourself
•	Talk about racism and racial equity

Dive deeper into diversity training

Anti-bias work is a process, and training should be ongoing for all staff and school board members. You don’t need to hire an outside consultant for every training. Check out these free resources for activities you can do as a group or individually. 

Ten ways school boards can champion racial equity
www.iasb.com/about-us/publications/journal/2018/march-april/ten-ways-school-boards-can-champion-racial-equity

21-Day Racial Equity Challenge
This is a web-based activity that can be done on your own at your own pace or with a group on a monthly basis. It also has a reflection journal template and a community discussion forum. 
https://bit.ly/2DqoRuz

Dismantling Racism Works
Dismantling Racism Works has published a workbook with a range of resources, including how to form caucuses and teams in race equity work, race equity principles for taking action and a race equity tool for organizations in developing explicit goals. 
www.dismantlingracism.org

Racial Equity Tools
Racial Equity Tools hosts a library of over 2,500 resources to help organizations and individuals in their equity work. Of current interest are their COVID-19 racial equity and social justice resources. 
www.racialequitytools.org/home

Recent events have presented the opportunity to make systemic changes to ensure schools are welcoming and safe for all students. Take action to establish anti-racist policies. Talk about race and listen to those affected by discrimination. Make equity work a priority and show students you are ready for change.  

Contributed by Erin Good, Communications consultant