Speaking about issues surrounding race can be uncomfortable for some because they do not want to offend others, or maybe they don’t know where to begin.
While issues of race and racism may not seem as important of a topic to discuss, there are those who deal with its impact on a daily basis.
After exploring this website, it is our hope that you got a glimpse into the lives of young people whose interactions with the school system leads to them feeling vulnerable and hurt on a daily basis. We dedicated this website to those who feel invisible and to those who feel overwhelmed.
After hearing their stories may feel moved to have a conversation with someone, but you might not know where to begin. You may ask yourself:
“How do I talk about race and issues of racism?”
RECOMMENDED READING
Ijeoma Olou, New York Times Bestseller has written a book entitled “So You Want to Talk About Race”. In this engaging and at times humorous book she goes chapter by chapter answering questions we have all asked, no matter what our race is. She gives realistic and powerful ways to dismantle systems of oppression. Here is a listing of a few ways she believes help with addressing and confronting the School to Prison Pipeline in conversation:
- Include the school-to prison pipeline in your broader discussions of racial inequality and oppression.
- Challenge language that stereotypes black and brown kids.
- Discuss deeper causes of defiant and antisocial behavior in black and brown youth.
