how can grown ups do effective collaborative anti-racist education with young people?

Kids thrive when they have a story. Stories are healing, they help build meaning, community, and resilience. When we offer our kids the whole truth, they are more equipped to navigate the world.

“My son Calvin was 3 1/2 when we lost a beloved chicken to a raccoon family.  He was heartbroken and confused.  Despite the short life expectancy of backyard chickens, I had not prepared for this first conversation about death.  It felt like a big parenting moment that I didn't want to mess up. I ran around talking to experienced parents about what language they’d used to help their children grasp the idea of death.  I bought books and read articles.  I thought about how my own views of death were formed and realized how few conversations I’d had with adults about death while growing up.

My family’s conversations about life and death are ongoing. As Calvin evolves and his questions become more complex, the conversations evolve. The conversations also evolve as I evolve and the world around us changes.” -Grace 

Racism and white supremacy are also matters of life or death. They are complicated and often confusing subjects for grown-ups to navigate let alone discuss with children.  If you are reading this, you may already understand that the work of being a responsible adult charged with raising the next generation means making it a practice to talk with young people about race and white supremacy. 

We can do this.

The courses at the Full Story School are not designed to tell you how to think.  The information and practices offered are meant to be an entryway into discussion techniques and reflection.  Our approach is heavily influenced by the brilliant teachings of educators and activists such as Reverend angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, Resmaa Menakem, and Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, to name a few.  Clear course objectives combined with a willingness to be responsive to each unique group of people are ways we create a transformative learning environment. Being in a group setting is important to the process and cultivating support and accountability.

 Thank you for taking steps towards helping our kids create a future full of humanity, justice, and healing.

We look forward to working with you, 

Grace and Emma