Awkwardness & Grace: Recent Episodes
Yvette M. Brown, Yvette Brown
Conversations with humans about race. As a white mom with two beautiful black boys I have been frozen into silence when it comes to talking about race. It is deeply awkward but I realize I can no longer ignore this privilege and have stepped up by inviting parents, thought leaders, educators and the weary to talk about race and the awkwardness and grace of it all.
Every family has its secrets. When do they become so big that they burst and give rise to an awakening. Niki does this for us. She has taken her life by the reins and is the anti-racist empowered woman we all could be. Niki recommends,
"When I was White", by Sarah Valentine. https://us.macmillan.com/author/sarahvalentine/
"Me and White Supremacy" , by Layla Saad. http://laylafsaad.com/
Books for Young Kids: Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop Book by Alice Faye Duncan, "A Sweet Smell of Roses", Book by Angela Johnson.
Elementary school: My Dream of Martin Luther King, by Faith Ringgold
Teens: MARCH b John Lewis, a graphic novel trilogy
Parents/ Teens: “Why We Can’t Wait”, By Martin Luther King Jr
“Letters from the Birmingham Jail”, By Martin Luther King Jr
“Where Do we Go from Here: Chaos or Community”, By Martin Luther King
Movies: Selma, Ana De Vernay, King of the Wilderness, Peter Kunhardt
Learning about micro aggressions for teens, parents and some notes from my 9 year old son Joshua.
An other article on parenting as an interracial couple
https://www.self.com/story/interracial-couples-advice
Kayla Reed: https://actionstl.org/the-team twitter handle: @ikaylareed
https://guidetoallyship.com/
Dr. Jill Wener's online Conscious Anti-racism course. https://www.jillwener.com/consciousantiracism
“Becoming Kareem” by Kareem Abdul Jabar
A PLACE INSIDE OF ME by Zetta Elliot
These resources are for teens review first for tweens:
The Hate You Give, By Angie Thomas: the book and movie
I am not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilley Thomas
There is also two pretty intense movies
Thirteenth- pretty intense.
When They See Us film on Netflix by Ava Duverney
Books for kids: http://hereweeread.com/2017/11/2018-ultimate-list-diverse-childrens-books.html
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/slavery/
Love Twelve Miles Long by Glenda Armand
A Kids Book about Racism by Jelani Memory
Something Happened in Our Town by Ann Hazard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins
Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell
Books for children http://hereweeread.com/2017/11/2018-ultimate-list-diverse-childrens-books.html
Social Justice Books website https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/slavery/
Age 2+: Lovely by Jess Hong. We’re Different We’re the Same by Bobbi Kates.
Ages 3-4 years: Is There a Human Race? Harper Collins,Canada. The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler. Mailika's Costume , Groundwood Books. All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka.
Ages 4+ All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold. Ron’s Big Mission, Written by Rose Blue and Corrine Naden. Love Twelve Miles Long by Glenda Armand. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Debra Hokinson. A Kids Book about Racism by Jelani Memory
Parent resources: Raising White Kids by Jennifer Harvey. Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
Unpacking the Knapsack of White Privilege by Peggie McIntosh
75 things white people could do for racial justice. https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234
With grace, Meredith is listening. Listening to her diversity training and taking in her awareness of white privilege.
Books worth exploring: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, Mr. Rogers Adoption Book, The Family Book by Tod Par.
Did you know sexual harassment among Chinese women is about 58% and under reported.
Brain chemistry on making mistakes: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/learning-mistakes-84558
Congress pursuing reparations: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/40
Ta Nehisi Coates: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
African American timeline: https://www.nps.gov/saga/learn/education/upload/African%20American%20History%20Timeline.pdf
Rocco La Manna ED.d asks how do African American foster/adopted kids raised by same sex parents identify when they get to college? How will they fit in? Can schools emotionally and socially support these kids?
Find out more at this link for the dissertation. https://search.proquest.com/docview/2232953531/fulltextPDF/C42E2A731CED48A4PQ/1?accountid=147183
Please listen to the end for my personal pondersings of Asha and her soulful information. The gallery where Palette of Expressions students exhibited is Joyce Gordon Gallery and powered by Better Together. Episode booklist: Please read before reading to kids.
Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan, 5+
What Lincoln Said by Sarah Thompson age 4+
Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester 6+
Chocolate Me by Tay Diggs 4+
If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America by Anne Kamma thru Scholastic books 7+
From Slaveship to Freedom Road by Rod Brown and Julious lester. 6+
Talking about race with kids is always daunting for parents. When your a light skinned mom with an African American/white child it becomes difficult because race conversations don't happen in white families. Even though it is a must to talk to her child about racism it is still heartbreaking to do it. Recommended reading: Ron's Big Mission by by Rose Blue, Corinne J. Naden, Don Tate. Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson
Michael S. is an African American dad of three bi-racial children. His kids "getting stung" by racism is one of many of his concerns. He opens up and shares experiences and hopes for his children.
Welcome to Awkwardness & Grace. It is a bi-weekly podcast that will feature parents, educators, warriors and the weary in the awkward conversations about race in hopes of finding some grace.