Awkwardness & Grace

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 trilogyParents/ 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 couplehttps://www.self.com/story/interracial-couples-advice

Kayla Reed:  https://actionstl.org/the-team twitter handle: @ikaylareedhttps://guidetoallyship.com/ 

Dr. Jill Wener's online Conscious Anti-racism course. https://www.jillwener.com/consciousantiracism

 “Becoming Kareem” by Kareem Abdul JabarA PLACE INSIDE OF ME by Zetta ElliotThese resources are for teens review first for tweens:The Hate You Give, By Angie Thomas: the book and movieI 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.htmlhttps://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/slavery/Love Twelve Miles Long by Glenda ArmandA Kids Book about Racism by Jelani MemorySomething Happened in Our Town by Ann Hazard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta CollinsJosephine by Patricia Hruby Powell 

Books for children http://hereweeread.com/2017/11/2018-ultimate-list-diverse-childrens-books.htmlSocial 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 MemoryParent 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-84558Congress pursuing reparations: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/40Ta 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+

Nicole Wolfe Phd.

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.

This is the correct "Why the hell am I doing this?" Episode One as of 6/15/2019.

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.