Black history month books for preschool: The Best Kids’ Books to Read During Black History Month

Опубликовано: November 14, 2022 в 12:12 pm

Автор: alexxlab

Категории: Miscellaneous

The Best Kids’ Books to Read During Black History Month

The Best Kids’ Books to Read During Black History Month | The Strategist

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

17 items in this article
14 items on sale!

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month with the kids in your life, reading books that lift up Black voices is a great place to start. But February is a short month, and it shouldn’t be the only time we read books that celebrate the history of Black people and their accomplishments and contributions to the world at large. According to Sheneatha Frison, a school outreach librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, it’s important to realize that Black history is American history, and learning about it can and should be happening all year long.

Before buying any books or borrowing them from the library, Ramon Stephens, executive director of the nonprofit the Conscious Kid, recommends first considering the original intentions of scholar Carter G. Woodson, who is now known as “the father of Black history.” In 1926, Woodson created Negro History Week, which would later become Black History Month; his aim was to address the overall lack of Black history and education in the United States by providing empowering narratives about Black people and combating the overall injustices that they face. That was 96 years ago, but so many of the same injustices and a lack of empowering narratives persist today. That’s why Stephens suggests looking for titles that specifically support Woodson’s mission, whether directly or indirectly. Educating children (and adults) about the resiliency, contributions, and joy of Black people throughout history is a way to push back against harmful, dominant narratives, he says.

When it comes to choosing exactly which books to read with your kids, educator Brittany Smith says, “Don’t limit yourself! Reading Black literature in all of its beautiful forms will always be beneficial because books themselves are beneficial; they teach us something, whether it be self-love, the value of community, the history of a leader, or simply more social-emotional awareness.” Mollie Welsh Kruger, a professor at the Bank Street College of Education, suggests paying attention to the books or genre of books your child enjoys and expanding from there. Lastly, Stephens says it’s important to offer a balance of books that deal with the real injustices Black people face as well as books that show joyful scenes from ordinary life. “If a book talks about obstacles, make sure it talks about resiliency as well,” he says.

We asked Frison, Stephens, Smith, Kruger, and two other experts about the best children’s picture books, board books, fiction and nonfiction books, and graphic novels to start reading during Black History Month and keep reading all year.

Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

$17 now 12% off

$15

“Everybody benefits from learning about other people’s experiences,” says Kazz Alexander Pinkard, executive director of Hit the Books, an after-school nonprofit in Harlem. With that said, the experience of having to explain how to pronounce your name correctly because of language or ethnicity is something that children from all over the world can relate to. Your Name Is a Song is about a young girl who struggles with correcting people when they don’t say her name the right way, and how she overcomes her fears and learns to appreciate the music in her name. “I wish I learned how to stand up and ask people to say my name correctly when I was younger,” Pinkard says.

$15

at Amazon

Buy

$17

at Bookshop

Buy

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race

$9 now 11% off

Frison says that it’s important to read many different kinds of books, including books that explicitly discuss race like Our Skin. Starting the conversation early helps prepare children for lived experiences and helps them develop empathy. Pinkard says that kids start to understand similarities and differences at around 2 years old, so it makes sense to address different skin tones at that developmental stage. But he also adds that children and parents of color haven’t had the luxury of choosing whether or not to talk about race, the way white families have, because their lived experiences make it unavoidable. This board book is the first in a series of books meant to help parents start important conversations with clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp.

at Amazon

Buy

at Bookshop

Buy

Brown Boy Joy by Thomishia Booker

$21 now 29% off

$15

“I love the book Brown Boy Joy because the characters look like me and the kids that I teach,” says Pinkard, noting that it’s one of the few books that has multiple brown boy characters in it, and they don’t all look the same in the illustrations.

$15

at Amazon

Buy

$19

at Bookshop

Buy

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

$19 now 32% off

$13

Smith recommends Mae Among the Stars, which she calls a “dreamy nonfiction book” that celebrates the pioneer Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go to space. In it, little Mae imagines floating among billions of stars. Her dream of becoming an astronaut is fueled by her curiosity and determination, but also her parents’ encouragement.

$13

at Amazon

Buy

$13

at Amazon

Buy

‘Hair Love,’ by Matthew A. Cherry

$18 now 61% off

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq3a4x700b33e6nstecw7h5@published” data-word-count=”90″>Sailaja Joshi, founder of Mango & Marigold Press, recommends Hair Love because, as she says, “Positive depictions of Black fathers often get stripped away in children’s stories.” Instead, Hair Love shows a Black father and his daughter bonding over an extra-special hairstyle he learns to create for a special day. Pinkard likes the book because his students feel seen when they pick it up. “One of our students literally jumped up when she saw this book and said, ‘I love this book, it’s about me and my dad,’” he says.

at Amazon

Buy

at Target

Buy

“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison

$11

Photo: retailer

Buy at Amazon

Buy

$18

at Bookshop

Buy

“Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History” by Vashti Harrison with Kwesi Johnson

$11

Photo: retailer

Buy at Amazon

Buy

$18

at Bookshop

Buy

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq3ahm100b83e6n11zqem2c@published” data-word-count=”69″>All but one of the six people we spoke to recommended these books by Vashti Harrison. Frison loves that each book introduces children to many incredible historical figures in diverse fields. “The biographies are short but meaty, so they are great starting points to spark interest in further exploration,” she says. Smith says the illustrations are wonderful, and Harrison’s talents as both a writer and illustrator are worth celebrating.

Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams

$20 now 45% off

$11

Along with her work as a politician and activist, Stacey Abrams is an accomplished author — including eight works of fiction under the pseudonym Selena Montgomery — but Stacey’s Extraordinary Words is her first children’s book. It’s also a New York Times best seller. Joshi, whose kids are currently learning to spell complicated words in first and third grade, says she loves the book almost as much as she loves Abrams herself: “It talks about her own story with words and her love of the spelling bee, and some of the prejudice that she faced,” she says. It’s easy to see parallels to Abrams’s political career in the story, especially when little Stacey faces off with the school bully at the spelling bee and learns a valuable lesson about perseverance.

$11

at Amazon

Buy

$20

at Bookshop

Buy

Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

$11

$14 now 21% off

$11

If you’re looking for something that will appeal to kids who like comic books and superheroes, Stuntboy, in the Meantime, which comes recommended by Frison, is a fabulous choice. It follows the secret superhero adventures of Stuntboy, whose real name is Portico Reeves. Portico lives in the biggest house in the whole city and spends his time navigating bullies, hearing his parents fight, and managing his own anxiety. Meanwhile, as Stuntboy, his job is “keeping other superheroes safe, so they can save the world!”

$11

at Amazon

Buy

$14

at Bookshop

Buy

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

$19 now 37% off

$12

Ada Twist is an especially curious second-grader who uses the scientific method to investigate the origins of a strange and unpleasant smell. This book and others in author Andrea Beaty’s STEM-themed Questioneers series have been recommended to us many times over, and there is even a Netflix animated series and several toy lines inspired by Ada Twist, making the character a celebrity in many kids’ eyes. “In the diversity of the classroom and the way each one of the stories gets told, the world they are creating is phenomenal,” says Joshi.

Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin

$15

“This book reminds me of the lessons I had when I was younger about the importance of the many contributions of Black Americans in American history. It was often phrased as ‘you wouldn’t have this if it wasn’t for a Black person,’” says Pinkard, who recommends Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? for both its message and its illustrations.

$15

at Amazon

Buy

$15

at Bookshop

Buy

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson

$15

$19 now 21% off

$15

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq3cn4r00e83e6ny13gkhgy@published” data-word-count=”285″>There are now more and more books available to young people that challenge past historical conversations and whose stories were being told. According to Joshi, who is working to make Read Across America Day (March 2) a more diverse and inclusive national event, these books are a great way to teach kids to ask questions about who is telling a given story, whose voices we are hearing, and whose voices we might not be hearing. Both she and Pinkard recommend The 1619 Project: Born on the Water as an example of one of these books. Written by Nikole Hannah-Jones, who started the 1619 Project — a 2019 initiative from the New York Times Magazine marking the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery — Born on the Water speaks directly to the idea that race is essential to the narrative and history of America. “I like this book because it thinks about ways that we can approach our history, our family lineage in a contributive manner to the fabric of America. It doesn’t only speak about the hardship and the struggle of the Black experience, it uplifts the Black experience,” says Pinkard. At a moment in this country where schools are banning books and some people are trying to prevent teachers from talking about race in school, Pinkard says parents and educators have two choices. “You can either lean into the learning or you can try to ban it from the library. We are leaning into the learning because it is both our experience as a community of Black and brown people predominantly, but it’s also the real experience of Americans in America. So we’re not gonna hide away from that story,” he says.

$15

at Amazon

Buy

$19

at Bookshop

Buy

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson

$13 now 15% off

$11

Stephens says that even though Black History Month started in the U. S., it’s still important to learn about the contributions of Black people globally because we know that due to colonialism, racism and white supremacy are global problems. Speaking of the diaspora, Pinkard recommends the National Book Award finalist and graphic novel When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed because it represents a very current story about the life of immigrants. The book is about a pair of brothers in a refugee camp in Kenya, and it explores questions like: What is it like to be in a refugee camp? What is it like to move to a different place for safety and for your family? “Honoring the experiences of folks that have come to the United States is part of the Black narrative and the Black experience,” Pinkard says.

$11

at Amazon

Buy

$12

at Bookshop

Buy

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

$11 now 36% off

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq3djcz00fk3e6nzccysdb0@published” data-word-count=”69″>Stephens, Frison, Kruger, Smith, and Pinkard all mentioned the power of poetry as a way of connecting children with history. This book, which comes specifically recommended by Stephens, is both a National Book Award and Newbery Honor winner. The memoir tells the story of author Jacqueline Woodson’s childhood in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her young perspective on the Civil Rights Movement.

at Amazon

Buy

$11

at Bookshop

Buy

Tight by Torrey Maldonado

$17

Buy at Amazon

Buy

$17

at Bookshop

Buy

‘The Stars Beneath Our Feet,’ by David Barclay Moore

$11

$18 now 39% off

$11

Buy at Amazon

Buy

at Bookshop

Buy

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq3e3fw00hy3e6nzicnyqpc@published” data-word-count=”139″>“Two books that I like that specifically center young Black men and are city books about growing up in an urban environment are Tight by Torrey Maldonado and The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore. Both books deal with making wise choices in an otherwise complicated environment,” says Pinkard. Barclay Moore is an educator from New York, which is part of why Pinkard recommends his book, saying that it is meaningful to give kids who live in a specific place books written by authors who are from that same community. But he also adds that he would recommend these titles to any tween or teenager. “You’re trying to search for answers, figure things out, and make sense of the world around you, and that is universal. I mean, I grew up reading the Hardy Boys,” he says.

The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman

$16 now 44% off

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq3eb5000j53e6nsuaxovbm@published” data-word-count=”64″>Pinkard also recommends that all kids (and parents) read The Hill We Climb by youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman. To him, the book, a special gift edition of her inaugural speech that includes a foreword by Oprah Winfrey, is about “the United States and the pursuit of happiness and a more perfect union. I think that’s what history and Black history are about too.”

at Amazon

Buy

$16

at Bookshop

Buy

get the strategist newsletter

Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/ckzq2pxwe00122doo6on7n549@published” data-word-count=”60″>The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

17 Kids’ Books to Read During Black History Month and Beyond

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

30+ Children’s Books to Celebrate Black History Month | MommyPoppins

Having these children’s books in our library means my kids see themselves on the pages of books and are—hopefully—inspired by the powerful stories. But it’s important to remember that representation matters not just for my kids, but for all kids. Seeing diversity on pages, and in media, normalizes it; it becomes the expectation instead of the exception.

Building our library—and indeed this list—has taught me more than a few powerful stories, and I hope you’ll consider adding some of them to your own library for this month and always. For more powerful reads, bookmark our list of 21 books to teach kids about racism.

Building a home library to include diversity makes representation the expectation, not the exception.

Illustrated Children’s Books To Celebrate Black History Month

1.

The Snowy Day

by Ezra Jack Keats
The most checked out title at the New York Public Library is an all-time favorite in my house, too. I can’t walk down the street after a fresh snowfall without reciting its whimsical lines. This 1963 Caldecott Medal winner was one of the first major children’s books to feature a Black protagonist.

2.

Hair Love

by Matthew A. Cherry
Black girl hair is a crown to be worn and styled with pride. This endearing story is beautifully illustrated and highlights a powerful father-daughter relationship while Daddy styles Zuri’s hair. You may have seen the Oscar-winning short of the same name.

3.

The Undefeated

by Kwame Alexander
Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are as powerful as Alexander’s words in this beautifully illustrated poem. Alexander’s words tease powerful characters in the poem’s verses and the message is driven home with bite-sized biographies in the appendix. Read the poem, then the biographies, and then re-read the poem to appreciate its artistry.

Little Leaders in Black History celebrates the significant contributions of Black women.

4.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History & Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History

by Vashti Harrison
These books offer perfect history snacks: Harrison’s beautiful illustrations accompany one-page biographies of notable leaders in Black history. They’re perfect whether you need a quick fix at bedtime or want to lose yourself in the pages a little longer.

5.

Ruth and the Green Book

by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Gwen Strauss
Chicago bred Ruth goes on a road trip with her family to segregation era Alabama and is introduced to the unfairness of Jim Crow laws. Ruth uses The Green Book to navigate her family safely through the rest of their journey.

6.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

by Robert Coles
Relive the true story of Ruby Bridges, the trailblazing 6-year-old who integrated William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans. My 7-year-old’s eyes grow wide every time we read this powerful tale and see angry protesters lurching at Bridges.

Children can see that people who change the world all start out as kids, just like them.

7.

I am… Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson

by Brad Meltzer
I love that these kid-friendly, first-person biographies start with each protagonist as a youngster, often acting out or getting into trouble, then detail how these early characteristics ultimately blossom as building blocks for a powerful game-changing adult. Each book ends with a timeline of the character’s life and some cool historical pictures.

8.

I Am Enough

by Grace Byers
This book has an almost melodic tone as you read, and gorgeous illustrations highlight the beauty of diversity in a self-esteem building, delightful read.

9.

Martin’s Big Words

by Doreen Rappaport
Martin Luther King’s life story plays out in this picture book biography, which weaves Rappaport’s words with clips and quotes from King’s life. I love letting my little one, a new reader, recite the larger-than-life quotes punctuating each page.

When a favorite book is part of your home library, it can be read again and again.

10.

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea

by Meena Harris
I ordered this book shortly after watching Kamala Harris deliver her victory speech, which still sends happy tears down my face but seems less remarkable and more “normal” to my two daughters. This based-on-a-true-story tale, penned by Harris’ niece, gives youngsters a glimpse into the early years of the nation’s most powerful woman.

11.

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters

by Barack Obama
You can almost hear the former president reading this book aloud as you turn the pages, each introducing a concept—strength, bravery, kindness—and a hero or heroine from all races, colors, and creeds, to look up to and emulate in this loving letter to Sasha, Malia, and children everywhere.

12.

Ada Twist, Scientist

by Andrea Beaty
We love the entire “Questioneers” series in our house. Ada Twist is an endearing character with her Afro-puff ponies and constant “whys” as she works out problems big and small with the support of her parents and big brother, who are at times (relatably!), frazzled by all her queries.

This A-to-Z history is a great introduction to Black history for kids of all ages.

13.

The ABCs of Black History

by Rio Cortez
This brand new book offers an A-to-Z history with brightly colored illustrations that make a perfect introduction to Black history from anthems to diaspora, Juneteenth, Black Power, and everything in between.

14.

BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom

by Carole Boston Weatherford
A poem told in six-line stanzas—representing the six sides of a box—tells the true story of Henry Brown, who quite literally mailed himself to freedom in a custom-made box.

Brown Girl Dreaming is a beautiful collection of autobiographical poems.

Black History Month Poems and Books for Middle-Grade Readers

15.

Brown Girl Dreaming

by Jacqueline Woodson
It’s hard to go wrong with anything written by Woodson, one of the foremost contemporary Black authors—she’s written everything from picture books to young adult novels. In Brown Girl Dreaming, Woodson offers an autobiographical collection of poems about her life, which my 11-year-old daughter says she loves because she can pick it up and read a poem at a time, and lose herself in its pages for much longer. It’s one you’ll read and re-read.

16.

Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice

by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood
At first sight, you might think this is a picture book, but the topics covered are a little too deep for wee ones. This collection of poetry invites kids to stay “woke” and join the ongoing fight for social justice.

17.

Dear Martin

by Nic Stone
Do Martin Luther King, Jr.’s messages still resonate today? That’s the question Justyce McAllister asks in this journal to Dr. King, which is best for late middle schoolers and older.

18.

Hidden Figures Young Readers’ Edition

by Margot Lee Shetterly
Even if you’ve seen the blockbuster movie, the book is always better (that’s my motto anyway). Learn about the story of these heroic African American women mathematicians, dubbed “human computers,” who helped put men on the moon.

19.

Lifting As We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box

by Evette Dionne
If you were paying attention to the 2020 election, you know how important the Black vote was to electing our new president, and Black women played an integral part in the mobilization of this traditionally marginalized demographic. It was far from the first time they’ve done so. In Lifting As We Climb, Dionne tells the story of Black suffragists who fought for the right to vote while fighting against white abolitionist suffragists.

20.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

by Lynda Blackmon Lowery
Learn about the 1965 voting rights march from the inside, as told in memoir form by Lowery, the youngest marcher to make the trek.

Several of these books, like The Hate U Give and Just Mercy, have been made into powerful movies.

Black History Month Books For Teens and Young Adults

21.

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas
Thomas’ blockbuster debut novel (subsequently made into a movie) follows Starr, a 16-year-old Black girl who witnesses the police killing of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, and its aftermath. Starr is forced to grow up quickly and—along with readers—confront the inequities of the system that works against her.

22.

Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice

by Bryan Stevenson
Another before-it-was-a-movie pick, Just Mercy, is Stevenson’s story of helping to free the wrongly convicted in Alabama, and has been described as To Kill a Mockingbird for modern times.

Honor the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis by reading the graphic novels that tell the story of his life and work.

23.

March: Book One, Book Two, Book Three

by John Lewis with Andrew Aydin
From Congressman John Lewis, this trio of books detail his life as a civil rights leader, working to end segregation. Told in graphic novel form, it offers a poignant look at the “good trouble” Lewis was known for.

24.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou
Angelou belongs in any home library, and her debut memoir (and the first piece in her seven-volume series) is a good place to start. The coming-of-age piece traces Angelou’s remarkable early life.

25.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

by James Baldwin
The Harlem, New York-born and bred writer’s first entree into the literary world is this 1953 classic, which is said to be semi-autobiographical. Another Baldwin bestseller, If Beale Street Could Talk, is also a worthy addition.

26.

All American Boys

by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Two talented, award-winning authors team up to tell the story of two talented, bright-futures-ahead high school classmates. One is white, one is Black, and one incident divides the nation and brings unspeakable truths to the forefront.

27.

X: A Novel

by Ilyasha Shabazz and Kekla Magoon
This fictional account is informed by the real-life of Malcolm X, as told by one of the human rights and civil rights activist’s daughters. Told in the first person, it’s a powerful, intimate portrait of the man.

28.

Beloved

by Toni Morrison
Another well-known Black author whose work belongs in your library, Beloved offers a haunting tale of a slave escaping to freedom, only to realize she’s not really free.

These classics belong in every home library, even if your kids are too young for them right now.

29.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

by Zora Neale Hurston
Follow the life—and loves—of powerful female protagonist Janie Crawford in this 1937 novel, which, perhaps because it was ahead of the times, went unappreciated for decades. Now it is one of the most well-known works of the 20th century.

30.

Native Son

by Richard Wright
Set in the 1930s on the South Side of Chicago, this novel follows the troubled path of 20-year-old Bigger Thomas, and explores his downward spiral as not one man’s problem, but the result of the systemic oppression of inner-city life.

Bonus: Forthcoming Black History Books Worth Pre-Ordering

31.

Change Sings

by Amanda Gorman
Publication date: September 21, 2021
If you watched the inauguration, it was hard not to be transfixed by Poet Laureate Gorman. Her grace and presence on stage was a sight to behold. While you can already order The Hill We Climb, the forthcoming Change Sings is a beautifully illustrated “children’s anthem,” meant to inspire a new generation of changemakers.

32.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic

Edited by Lilly Workneh
Publication date: Fall, 2021
We’re sort of Rebel Girl superfans in my house. Much like the aforementioned Little Leaders books, Rebel Girls offer powerful one-page biographies accompanied by incredible illustrations. The most recent mini-pub Rebel Girls Lead: 25 Tales of Powerful Women was released to celebrate Harris’ inauguration as VP. Black Girl Magic promises more of the same, with illustrations from talented Black female (and non-binary) artists worldwide.

Editor’s note: If you click through the links to order these books, you’ll be supporting local, Black-owned, independent bookshops in many of the cities Mommy Poppins calls home.

Photos by the author

CNN (USA): White Parents, This Month of Negro History is going to be hard work

InoSMI materials are exclusively foreign media assessments and do not reflect the views of InoSMI editors as well as their achievements, strength and fight against racism, writes CNN. The two authors of the article offer twelve tips for American families on how to make the most of this month.

Melanie Harris, Jennifer Harvey

Today, across America, black families are educating the next generation with special care and dedication. Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black empowerment, their accomplishments, their strength, and the fight against racism. It’s time to honor the entire history of blacks, rooted in the rites, rituals and intellectual traditions of the African diaspora.

Negro History Month is not just 28 days of remembrance. From a black perspective, this month is a deep recognition of black beauty, pride, incredible faith and fortitude despite four centuries of oppression.

Negro History Month is not just a moment to celebrate the heroism of abolitionist Harriet Tubman or the cultural role of baseball player Hank Aaron, it is a celebration of black excellence, social values and commitment to justice that come to life 365 days a year.

So what does Negro History Month mean for white youth education?

So where do you start? Start right from the basics. Here are twelve ideas of what to do (and a couple more things to avoid). Why twelve? Because black history deserves your attention all year round, and you might want to dedicate yourself to something new every month.

Talk about Black Leaders

Negro History Month is a great time to make black success a permanent part of family life. If you only know a handful of famous and successful blacks, it’s time to broaden your kids’ horizons and your own as well. Pick a source—there are plenty of good ones—and every evening at dinner, read about two figures you’ve never heard of before.

Focus on black youth and freedom fighters

Children get excited when they hear about other children. But at the same time, they are often told that they are still small and need to grow up in order to change something. It is not true. Now is the best time to share more about the black youth who have made great change, while also reminding white children that they too can do their part.

Don’t separate one from the other

Honoring Negro merit runs the risk of creating the false impression that this is not American history. It is important to make it clear to white children that one of the consequences of racism is our lack of knowledge about black success, which is why Black History Month is so important. Therefore, we must pay tribute to Negro history and talk about it more often, because it is part of the history of America.

Praise black joy and love

Fighting racism is not the only aspect of Negro life. You can’t teach white youth that blacks are defined by racism alone. Find a resource that highlights black cultural celebrations like Kwanzaa, as well as the history of black thought and the glory of black dance in America, and check them out as a family.

Tell about racism without embellishment

When honoring the pioneers, it is important to show why they were the first. Talk about the structures of inequality that prevent black Americans from gaining full rights in American democracy, and where those barriers remain today. Out of this context, white youth may decide that President Barack Obama or Vice President Kamala Harris are first because blacks have somehow fallen behind. Tell us in no uncertain terms how people are hindered by racism. Negro history is not just the history of the past. It is being completed today.

Choose 12 books by black authors

Choose books with your children and read them until next February. In this way, you will expand your knowledge and support black literature, art, and creativity. And you will make dialogue about race and the study of Negro history an integral part of your family life.

White children need to learn that there can be no justice without human unity is just one of many truths about black empowerment. Honor Negro History Month by joining an organization where your family will join in earnest and for a long time and will be able to do their bit and make the world a fairer place. Find your local Black Lives Matter or NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored) chapter, or support the work of black communities for voter advocacy and criminal justice reform.

Ask children what they are taught in school

The American education system has never provided a complete, varied, and flattering picture of Black contributions. Parents can make it a habit to ask what exactly their children are learning in school. This will give you the opportunity to correct, clarify and expand their knowledge. In addition, you can support the school in the comprehensive teaching of our shared racial history.

Celebrate Unity

America’s first Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, who gave a brilliant speech at President Biden’s inauguration, speaks of her family in almost all of her speeches. Georgia organizer Stacey Abrams has just been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She constantly reminds the world that her incredible achievements are the achievements of many black women. Black empowerment and accomplishments is the story of an entire community. By helping white children recognize this truth, we give them reason to consider what role they themselves can play.

Celebrate the role of blacks in your local community

Not every prominent black is famous. Wherever you live, there are people bravely leading others. Who are the visionaries, justice fighters, and black Americans who have made your community what it is? Ask this question to your children. Give them their due. And then think of a way to support them with the whole family.

Remember that blacks are diverse

Blacks are also women who suffer from sexism and the LGBT community. Support white youth in developing critical thinking skills by exploring the intersections between different identities and justice movements. So, the Black Lives Matter movement was founded by three black lesbians. It is deeply inclusive and recognizes the intersection between racial, gender and environmental justice, disability rights and other movements, paving the way for equality and celebrating the inherent worth and dignity of every black person.

Beware of the perfectionist trap!

We all have a lot to learn. It’s easy to get stuck if you think you know everything and can explain. Start from where you are right now. In fact, it is important for white youth to see adults as a model of modesty and curiosity. Youth only benefit when parents say, “I’m not sure. Let’s find out together”, “I didn’t know this and I’m glad that I’m studying with you now” and even “I thought I knew, but it turned out that I was wrong. So thank you for teaching me the right way.” So they will take this approach and will tell about the Negro story to adults.

White families can celebrate Black History Month wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly. In doing so, they will contribute to the multinational challenge of raising a generation of youth that honors black successes and does what it takes to promote democracy and justice for all.

Melanie Harris is Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Addran College of the Liberal Arts and the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas Christian University and author of Ecofeminism: African American Women and the Earth-Honoring Faith.

Jennifer Harvey is Professor of Religion at Drake University.

Negro History Month – Colonel Cassad – Learn

How to spend Negro History Month in a white family.

CNN: White Parents, Negro History Month is going to be hard work

Negro History Month is a celebration of black success, and you too are invited

All across America today, black families are educating the new generation with special care and dedication. Black History Month is a time to celebrate black empowerment, their accomplishments, their strength, and the fight against racism. It’s time to honor the entire history of blacks, rooted in the rites, rituals and intellectual traditions of the African diaspora.
Negro History Month is not just 28 days of remembrance. From a black perspective, this month is a deep recognition of black beauty, pride, incredible faith and fortitude despite four centuries of oppression.
Black History Month isn’t just a moment to celebrate the heroism of abolitionist Harriet Tubman or the cultural role of baseball player Hank Aaron, it’s a celebration of black excellence, community values, and commitment to justice that come to life 365 days a year.

So what does Negro History Month mean for white youth education?

For white families, the task may seem more difficult. Today’s white families are unlikely to have been raised with a black history in mind, so they may lack knowledge or self-confidence. Some parents know how much we all appreciate the accomplishments of blacks, but worry that their family’s participation in Black History Month could be viewed as cultural appropriation. Others understand that black achievements are so remarkable in large part because of a legacy of racial inequality and white privilege. But recognizing this is a difficult, even overwhelming task.
So where do you start? Start right from the basics. Here are twelve ideas of what to do (and a couple more things to avoid). Why twelve? Because black history deserves your attention all year round, and you might want to dedicate yourself to something new every month.

Talk about Black Leaders

Negro History Month is a great time to make black success a permanent part of family life. If you only know a handful of famous and successful blacks, it’s time to broaden your children’s horizons and your own as well. Pick a source—there are plenty of good ones—and every evening at dinner, read about two figures you’ve never heard of before.

Focus on black youth and freedom fighters

Do not separate one from the other

Honoring Negro accomplishments runs the risk of creating the false impression that this is not American history. It is important to make it clear to white children that one of the consequences of racism is our lack of knowledge about black successes, which is why Black History Month is so important. Therefore, we must pay tribute to Negro history and talk about it more often, because it is part of the history of America.

Praise black joy and love

The fight against racism is not the only aspect of Negro life. You can’t teach white youth that blacks are defined by racism alone. Find a resource that highlights black cultural celebrations like Kwanzaa, as well as the history of black thought and the glory of black dance in America, and check them out as a family.

Tell about racism without embellishment

When honoring the pioneers, it is important to show why they were the first. Talk about the structures of inequality that prevent black Americans from being fully empowered in American democracy, and where those barriers still exist today. Out of this context, white youth may decide that President Barack Obama or Vice President Kamala Harris are first because blacks have somehow fallen behind. Tell us plainly how people are hindered by racism. Negro history is not just the history of the past. It is being completed today.

Choose 12 books by black authors

Choose books with your children and read them until next February. This will expand your knowledge and support black literature, art, and creativity. And you will make dialogue about race and the study of Negro history an integral part of your family life.

White children need to learn that there is no justice without human unity is just one of the many truths about black empowerment. Honor Negro History Month by joining an organization where your family will join in earnest and for a long time and will be able to do their bit and make the world a fairer place. Find your local Black Lives Matter chapter or NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) , or support the work of black communities for voter advocacy and criminal justice reform.

Ask the kids what they are taught in school

The American education system has never given a complete, varied, and flattering picture of black contributions. Parents can make it a habit to ask what exactly their children are learning in school. This will give you the opportunity to correct, refine and expand their knowledge. In addition, you can support the school at comprehensive teaching of our common racial history.

Celebrate Unity

America’s first Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, who delivered a brilliant speech at President Biden’s inauguration, speaks of her family in nearly all of her speeches. Georgia organizer Stacey Abrams has just been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She constantly reminds the world that her incredible achievements are the achievements of many black women. Black empowerment and achievement is the story of an entire community. By helping white children recognize this truth, we give them reason to consider what role they can play.

Celebrate the role of blacks in your local community

Not every prominent black is famous. Wherever you live, there are people who bravely lead others. Who are the visionaries, justice fighters, and black Americans who have made your community what it is? Ask this question to your children. Give them their due. And then come up with a way to support them as a family.

Remember that blacks are diverse

Blacks are also women who suffer from sexism and the LGBT community. Support white youth in developing critical thinking skills by exploring the intersections between different identities and justice movements. So, The Black Lives Matter movement was founded by three black lesbians. It is deeply inclusive and recognizes the intersection between racial, gender and environmental justice, disability rights and other movements, paving the way for equality and celebrating the inherent worth and dignity of every black person.

Beware of the perfectionist trap!

We all have a lot to learn. It’s easy to get stuck if you think you know everything and can explain. Start from where you are right now.

Black history month books for preschool: The Best Kids’ Books to Read During Black History Month

The Best Kids’ Books to Read During Black History Month

get the strategist newsletter

Related Stories

30+ Children’s Books to Celebrate Black History Month | MommyPoppins

Illustrated Children’s Books To Celebrate Black History Month

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Black History Month Poems and Books for Middle-Grade Readers

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Black History Month Books For Teens and Young Adults

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

Bonus: Forthcoming Black History Books Worth Pre-Ordering

31.

32.

CNN (USA): White Parents, This Month of Negro History is going to be hard work

Negro History Month – Colonel Cassad – Learn