“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou.
Thanks for tuning into part two of our resource guide to help teach ourselves and our kids to not only be non-racist, but to be anti-racist. I sincerely hope part one helped you start or continue this conversation with your kids.
We all learn in different ways and, thankfully, there are all kinds of helpful podcasts, movies, and television shows, that can also help with this learning process.
Some of these will be for you, some of these for the kids, but hopefully the kid-focussed media can be shared by parents and kids sitting together and watching, then discussing, some of the things portrayed.
As with my first list, this list is divided into media I have personally viewed/used with my kids and media recommended to me, with my thanks, by other writers or the staff of the Association for Supportive Child Care.
Personal Recommendations
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: The Podcast
The series comes to life through beautiful story-telling narration. Keep an eye out for the equally diverse story-tellers like Priscilla Chan, Laverne Cox, Gayle King, Freida Pinto, and many others.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, PBS
This show is based on the I Am books mentioned in my first list. Not every episode highlights a diversity concept or person of color, but the main characters include kids of color.
Molly of Denali, PBS
My 7 year old still loves this sweet show centered around an Alaskan native family and their life in the frozen tundra.
Nella the Princess Night, Nick Jr.
Nella, a biracial princess, transforms into Nella the Knight to save the day. Perfect for pre-K through early elementary school kids.
KC Undercover, Disney
A black family (including Zendaya!) are secret agent spies and generally kick major butt when they need to. One of my older kiddo’s favorites.
Remember the Titans (2000), Buena Vista Pictures
One of my absolute favorite movies. This story, based on true events (with some creative license), introduces even young viewers to the ideas of segregation, integration, and racism.
The Princess and the Frog (2009), Disney
A princess who isn’t blond-haired and blue-eyed, a taste of creole culture, and a woman who doesn’t give up her dreams for a man. It’s good role modeling all around.
“Hidden in Plain Sight: The Ghosts of Segregation” by Richard Frishman
Published in New York Times – accessible here). I’d recommend this amazing photographic series for parents and older kids (high school age).
Other resources to consider…
Hair Love (2019), Sony Pictures Animation (also a book)
Nice White Parents, New York Times Podcast
Akeelah and the Bee (2006), Lionsgate Films
Santiago of the Seas, Nickelodeon
Nina’s World, PBS
