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The ABCs of diversity : helping kids (and ourselves!) embrace our differences
2020
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This guide for parents and educators intends to break down the language of diversity for social justice newcomers and the more experienced alike. There are some good ideas--in particular, the titular mnemonic for responding to difference by moving from "Automatic ABCs: Afraid, Back Away, Control" to "The ABCs of Intentional Engagement: Acknowledge, Be Present, Come Closer" to "The ABCs of a More Just Society: Access, Build, Cultivate." Harris-Smith, a Black academic, and Helsel, a white pastor, trade off sections, sharing autobiographical anecdotes. This approach works well at times (illustrating concepts such as "being a good host and guest" as a metaphor for respectful cultural learning) but can distract from the sharing of key concepts from well-selected background readings. Occasionally the scope of topics is broader than the authors' expertise. Gender and sex are briefly conflated, and the freighted term preferred pronouns is used once. Teachers are rightly encouraged to eschew superficial or exoticizing classroom activities in favor of lifelong learning and self-reflection. But strategies given for discussion or implementation are uneven. Sample scripts for asking strangers to explain their identities to one's curious children are problematic. Readers will need to dig into the referenced works for more research-aligned ways to help youth of different ages engage with diversity and activism. VERDICT An appealing invitation to learn more, with some powerful personal insights and strong synthesis of others' work on diversity, equity, and inclusion; not a primary resource for curriculum or hands-on activities.--Miriam DesHarnais, Towson Univ., Baltimore
Summary
Teach the language of difference with the ABCs of Diversity, How do we raise the next generation to respect and learn from people who look or believe differently than they do? From two educators who are also moms comes a guide to help parents and other teachers navigate conversations about all kinds of diversity. This practical resource includes activities to build compassion and empathy among differing religions, classes, races, genders, abilities, political affiliations, sexual orientations, nationalities, and more. Book jacket.
Table of Contents
Prefacep. ix
Introductionp. 1
1The ABCs of Diversityp. 5
2Identities We're Assigned at Birthp. 17
3Identity and Diversity in Actionp. 30
4Disentangling Gender and Sexualityp. 45
5Relearning Racep. 60
6Fears of Fitting Out: Religious Differencesp. 78
7Social Media and Diversityp. 91
8Old Enough to Know Betterp. 106
Conclusion: Choosing Our Place in Historyp. 116
Acknowledgmentsp. 120
Appendix AAbout the Authors-Autobiographies of Culturep. 124
Joy Shares: Cultural Adjustments from Germany to North Carolina to New Yorkp. 124
Carolyn Shares: Cultural Sampling from Across the Countryp. 128
Appendix BBooks to Read to Develop Greater Empathyp. 135
Picture Booksp. 135
Nonfiction Resource Books for Older Childrenp. 136
Middle-Grade Chapter Books and Graphic Novelsp. 137
Books for Older Teens and Young Adult Novelsp. 147
Book Lists for Parentsp. 149
Websitesp. 150
Appendix CCurriculum Activities for Teachers and Parents of Children and Youthp. 152
Activities for Young Childrenp. 152
1Begin with Words Kids Can Understand: Bias and Unfairnessp. 152
2Goals and Activities for Educators of Young Childrenp. 153
3Activity about Gender Norms: Who Gets to Make the Rules?p. 156
4Scripts for Parents: When Our Kids Say Embarrassing Thingsp. 157
Activities for Older Children and Youthp. 165
1Increasing Empathy with Youth: Living in the World HOUSE Activityp. 165
2Building the World House: The ROCKS of our Foundationp. 171
3Relearning Our History: Challenging Traditional Curriculum Lessonsp. 172
Bibliographyp. 179
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