11/11/2020
We had hoped to post this on our series page on The Royal Cinema - Toronto's website several months ago. However, as the reopening of the theatre remains uncertain due to the pandemic, website updates are still on hold, so we're sharing our statement here instead.
We've taken some time to process our grief and anger at the atrocities that continue to be committed against Black and Indigenous people. This has been most visible recently in the USA, but it's important to remember that here in Canada, and all around the world, there is a long history of societal racism.
As a woman of colour, our programmer, Angela Moritsugu, is committed to representation and accessibility in our programming – while recognizing that the systemic oppression she experiences is not on the same scale as that being faced by members of Black and Indigenous communities.
Black and Indigenous voices need to be heard. We have tried to make space, so that those voices can lead the discussion. We hope you've been listening, as we have.
We've also been educating ourselves on the events – historical and recent – that have brought race relations to a boiling point, and what steps can be taken to begin to dismantle the unjust systems in our society.
One way to help end racism is educating children and youth, so that the oppression we see today is not carried into the next generations. We've put together some resources to help non-Black and non-Indigenous parents, caregivers, and educators teach their children about the current state of the world.
We're posting this in the spirit of hope, following the rejection of a bigoted and bullying president by our neighbours to the south. The election of a more progressive man to the post of President of the United States, in partnership with the first woman - a woman of colour - to hold the position of Vice President, is definitely a cause for celebration.
However, we have a lot of work to do. This is not a quick and easy fix, but we must try.
Indigenous lives matter.
Black lives matter.
How to start the discussion:
CNN with Sesame Street – Racism Town Hall
(video in two parts)
www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/app-news-section/cnn-sesame-street-race-town-hall-app-june-6-2020-app/index.html
NPR – Talking Race with Young Children
(podcast)
www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716700866/talking-race-with-young-children
Raising Race Conscious Children – 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice, and other topics
(blog, workshops)
www.raceconscious.org
Raising Luminaries – Anti-Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race
(article, includes book suggestions highlighting makers of colour)
booksforlittles.com/racial-diversity/
Common Sense Media – How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids
(article)
www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-white-parents-can-use-media-to-raise-anti-racist-kids
Kid-friendly media:
NFB – Indigenous Cinema in the Classroom for Ages 6-11, 12-14, 15+
(playlists)
www.nfb.ca/playlist/indigenous-cinema-classroom-ages-611/
www.nfb.ca/playlist/indigenous-cinema-classroom-ages-1214/
www.nfb.ca/playlist/indigenous-cinema-classroom-ages-1518/
NFB – Anti-Racism Films
(playlist with age recommendations)
www.nfb.ca/playlist/anti-racism-films/
NFB – Black Communities in Canada
(playlist with age recommendations)
www.nfb.ca/playlist/nfb_celebrates_black_history_month/
Common Sense Media – Black History Movies that Tackle Racism
(list of films with age recommendations and conversation starters)
www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/black-history-movies-that-tackle-racism
A Different Booklist – Recommended Titles for School-Age Children
(Black-owned bookstore with grade-appropriate lists of books on a number of progressive topics including social justice and diversity)
www.adifferentbooklist.com/?q=p.featured_lists_
Strong Nations – Books for Kids and Books for Teens
(Indigenous-owned bookstore and publishing house, books have grade recommendations and highlight Canadian and Indigenous content)
www.strongnations.com/store/item_type.php?it=3
www.strongnations.com/store/item_type.php?it=2
Social Justice Books – A Teaching for Change Project
(lists of books on a number of progressive topics, purchase links are to an American-based store, prices in USD)
socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/
Further teaching resources:
Teaching Tolerance – Race & Ethnicity
(guide to teaching a number of progressive topics, ability to create learning plans with free registration)
www.tolerance.org/topics/race-ethnicity
Teaching for Change – Building Social Justice Starting in the Classroom
(guide to teaching a number of culturally-diverse topics, specific sections for teachers and parents)
www.teachingforchange.org/
EmbraceRace – Raising a Brave Generation
(articles, webinars, action guides, book recommendations, first-hand stories from community members available as audio and text)
www.embracerace.org/resources
Children's Community School of West Philadelphia
(source of infographic, further links about racism and gender diversity)
www.childrenscommunityschool.org/social-justice-resources
This list is by no means exhaustive, it is simply a starting place for all those committed to allying themselves with Black and Indigenous communities, by teaching children to be anti-racist.
