Reading: A Kid’s Book About Systemic Racism: S2 Ep4
Understanding Systemic Racism & Explaining it to Kids
In honor of Black History Month, a key learning to honor and teach everyday, we continue the conversation about Racism. Reading, with permission, from A Kid's Book About Systemic Racism by Jordan Thierry.
This book explains how Racism became embedded in our systems of government, schools, stories and other institutions and how we can work together to speak up and speak out about these injustices in our communities.
We invite you to read along with us, and find this and find more great stories for kids at A Kid's Book About* Please enjoy.
*All affiliate funds raised through this link are used to donate books from A Kid’s Book About series to fellow listeners and school libraries in neighboring communities. Click here for 25% off your first 3 books!
Transcription:
[1:01] Hi. What's up, guys? This is Episode four of Season two in honor of Black History Month.
We've actually been representing and respecting black activists, authors, voices, Icahn's poets throughout our conversations, and we always do.
And I think that's really important that even though it is black history month that we help elevate black history all year all year long, that's right. But because it is black history month, we're paying a special focus,
two stories and helping raise those voices from some very famous and not so famous black people in hopes to help share their message.
And one of these opportunities you've heard from us if you've listened to previous episodes when we spoke about Martin Luther King Jr.
Amanda Gorman was last in the last episode on, and there's been so much more that's come out from her and just absolutely stunning and provocative but thought provoking, woman who is just leading the charge for young voices to be heard.
What confused me a little bit about black history month is.
[2:26] Martin Luther King is black and an iconic activist, and his birthday just a little bit before February.
That's right, it's in January and we celebrate.
Martin Luther King Junior's Day to represent him.
And maybe that's a great way to continue the conversation outside of black history month.
But it's also a great way to kick things off and and really remind each other, um, to tell these stories to make sure,
that we continue the narrative for future generations to come and are constantly educating ourselves about the importance of black lives, matter of the movements of the history of,
black and brown people and all people.
But this month we especially honor them. So these episodes are specifically tailored to that.
Hey, Mom, can we give our book away? Yeah, actually, we can silo. What? That's a great idea.
[3:26] Why don't we ask our listeners to drop us a message Either D m s on instagram at she sounds like me Or send us a message at hello at she sounds like me dot com.
And if it's something that you learned about this book that we're about to read, we'll send you a copy. Now we only have a few so,
send us your message soon, and we'll pick one or two folks and share your message on our next episode.
If anyone would like to share some knowledge with us, we're always open to learning more and correcting what we know of the fax, because that's the only way we could grow.
So we've had the distinct honor of working with the team at a kids book about We're huge fans.
If you've heard our shows before, you know that we are always helping re read and tell their stories, and they have some really important topics.
Our session on racism, which was episode 2 with Martin Luther King and speaking about racism.
This is now part two of that show, so we kind of skipped an episode in between.
We talked about the inauguration and Amanda Gorman and replayed her poem, but we wanted to read to you today a kids book about systemic racism By Jordan Theory. Jordan Theory.
[4:51] Jordan Theory is a young black man author that is making change in how he perceives media, and you can find more information about Jordan, a dream escape media dot com.
While Silo had the awesome opportunity to chat with Jordan on a kids book about Instagram live. So if you check them out at a kids book about on I D, you'll be able to see that replay.
And following this episode, you'll be able to hear our interview with Jordan, where two white girls talked to a,
young, grown black man about what it means racism and what systemic racism is.
And so I hope you'll join our conversation. That episode is part three of the Siri's, and it comes up next week. I think that airs mid February.
[5:42] Today we're sharing with you a kids book about systemic racism by Jordan theory.
Ready to go? Uh, so hear us kids book about systemic racism by Jordan theory.
And even though you can't see the pages of this book, I just like to point out that kids book About has done a really excellent job of portraying the letters on the page and the words by using a play on fonts.
Fonts are different styles of how you see letters typed out in print and eBook and arts, and they do a great job of really highlighting those words.
So it stands out to you on the page. There's there's no other pictures here other than the words, and I think that just showcases just how important these words are.
So listen along, and, as always, it's better together.
This book is best read together with a growing up in a kid.
So if you're a grown up listening by yourself, maybe, uh, bring ah, young one into the fold and let's listen together and then share that conversation or have some questions together.
We'll find out who those people are on part three. That's right.
[6:50] So here's a quick introduction. Despite the reality that the majority of people today likely agree with the words in the I Have a Dream Speech by Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
We're living in a moment where racial injustice, implicit bias and inequality continue to thrive.
Systemic-racism helps explain why this is.
[7:12] No matter when you're reading this or where in the world you might be, this book is relevant.
It will remain relevant because racism can't be undone in one generation.
This book is designed to help you start a conversation with the next generation to help them understand and begin to see where and how racism continues to persist.
Save them from the confusion we've experienced and prepare them toe. Want to do something about it?
This this is a book about systemic racism and, believe it or not, it's actually for kids.
I have to say this book was a really hard to write.
Systemic-racism is incredibly difficult to understand, even for grown ups, but to help make sense of it, I'm going to start with an example. I'm black.
Well, you're really white. Yeah, but this is very important, even more so important for us to understand.
Yeah, did you know that it's really rare for someone with my color skin to write a kids book?
When I was a kid, I almost never read a book by a black author.
[8:18] Does that might seem normal or no big deal, but it shouldn't be normal, and it is a big deal, but that's how it works.
[8:30] Systemic-racism seems normal on this page is especially highlighted with those words Big bright across the space page.
It's almost like it's invisible, something that's always around.
But you can never quite see it unless you look really hard. So my hope with this kids book is to help you not only see it but want to do something about it.
You might already know what racism miss. It's when someone is excluded, treated badly or hated because of their race or skin color.
Let's re read that. I think it's important.
[9:12] Racism is when someone is excluded, treated badly or hated because of their race or skin color.
Let's stop and reflect on that. Yeah, Okay.
[9:27] Can you imagine? No, I can't. No.
[9:32] Because we're white and we haven't faced that kind of oppression and discrimination in our lives.
[9:42] Quite like anyone with black or brown skin color has its really a terrible thing to be judged by its like being judged because you're a girl or,
being judged because you're a boy or being judged because you're Jewish or because you're Muslim.
But it's even worse because of the history behind it and because it is so ingrained in our systems on, Let's continue to read.
[10:10] And talk About what, what in house systemic racism plays a role in our lives.
Well, systemic racism is when racist ideas are built into new laws,
schools, stories and other institutions in a way that that collectively makes life much harder for people of color.
[10:34] Let me give you some more examples. When I was a kid, the only people on TV that looked like me were white,
athletes, comedians or rappers, not the candy wrappers like beat boxers.
Yeah, pop stars, right? Yeah, When I was in school, I was suspended for things that my white friends often more not when I was in class, I never had a teacher that looked like me,
and until I went to college.
[11:06] When I was a teenager, I was stopped by the police multiple times.
While many of my white friends weren't looking at these moments, it may not seem like it was about the the color of my skin.
But systemic racism isn't always obvious, which is what makes it so hard to see.
[11:28] Before I understood that I used to get frustrated and angry, even it myself.
But as I grew up, I noticed I wasn't the only one who experienced this.
Other people of color were experiencing the same things.
That's when I started to notice a pattern. I learned that if you're black, you're more likely to be stopped by the police.
It could be harder to get a job. Could be more difficult to buy a home. You're less likely to go to a good school.
You're less likely to be in charge, and most heroes and stories don't look like you.
As you read these things, you might feel sad or even angry.
You also might start to wonder how it got this way, while the reason is long and complicated.
But I'll do my best to explain. How does it make you feel by the way it makes me feel It's not a word for it.
Like nerve clumps, nervous.
[12:28] Angry, sad, disappointed, confused, make you want to do something about it?
[12:37] Well, you can again. You can just be kind and fair toe all people for all reasons and maybe especially kind too.
Anyone that you see is struggling with that or looks or feels like they're standing out right extra kind doesn't hurt either.
Let's continue since the start of our country, the United States of America.
Many people with white skin whose families came from Europe were given land, opportunity and access to money, while people of color,
those with black and brown skin and the indigenous people,
that lived on the land.
[13:23] Before white people arrived were attacked, killed and sold into slavery.
Lies were told about people of color to scare white, to make white people believe that people of color would hurt them, steal their properties, were give them diseases.
Yes, really.
Sadly, many people believe those lies then, even after they fought for their freedom, people of color still didn't have as many right.
They still had more obstacles and experienced a lot of discrimination.
New laws were even created to make life harder for them because many white people didn't want to share.
That shouldn't be their decision. They should have to share anyway.
Yeah, especially when it comes.
[14:16] To freedom and land. An opportunity, opportunity to make money, start businesses.
[14:25] Grow their their wealth, their families, their health continue on overtime, the value of land and money increased, which gave white people more and more for their kids, grandkids and so on.
Today, this unequal balance of who has a land money, power and rights still exists on affects people of color.
It affects their ability to live in nice homes and neighborhoods, affect their ability to start their own businesses and donate their money to good causes.
It affects the amount of money that is put into building schools and hiring great teachers.
It affects their ability to speak their own languages and preserve their cultures.
[15:06] It affects their ability to tell their own stories or make their own TV shows and movies.
It effects who has access to medicine and good doctors and how they were treated by the police, government and court system.
All of these things are a result of systemic racism.
And even though people of color have more equality today than they ever have, new forms of systemic racism are created all the time.
We need to change the system and erased the racist ideas that live in our laws, schools, stories and other institutions.
We need to create ways for people of color who have been left behind for so long,
to catch up so that money land, great schools, quality doctors when basic rights are equally available to everyone.
Systemic-racism isn't new. It's just hard to see. But once you do, it's hard to ignore.
So practice seeing systemic racism every day in the schools.
You go the movies, you watch neighborhood you live in, pointed out to your friends pointed out to your family because systemic racism can't be undone until we open our eyes and see it That's right, Cyla.
Well done. I can hear you getting fired up.
[16:33] My little activist. It's okay. We have the power to change, you know, use our platform to talk about it, to amplify our voices when others cannot be and stand up and speak out against injustice when we see it.
And as long as I raise you to do the right thing and stand up for people that could use an ally, then we're doing something right.
You know, nobody can stop that.
[17:01] And you were the youth us. The grown ups can model that, but the youth you guys have the power to change so much.
And I'm I know that with help from Resource is like these and conversations like this that you and I have and others may be having with their kids.
Even if it's hard, it's the right thing to Do.
So now that you've made it to the end of this book, what's next?
This is the Outro. Well, this will just likely be the beginning of a series of conversations about systemic racism and racial injustice.
But your kid, I will have a lot of questions over the next few weeks.
[17:37] They may even point things out to you and ask, Is that because of systemic racism?
You may not have all the answers, and that's OK. It's just important to be honest and let our Children know that the adults are still learning about systemic racism trying to address it as well.
However, if you want to feel more confident in talking about systemic racism and start answering some of those questions, try doing some adult reading on it.
Native American history and black history is a great place to start this month is a great time to start today.
Now is a great time to start. Don't delay it.
So take advantage of this opportunity to show your kids that you're still learning that we're all still learning.
But it's important, and this topic will continue to learn about together.
Research it now, not tomorrow, not later, not next month. Not next week, not next year, now, wise, where it's spoken from a little righteous white girl in a little bit of Jack.
[18:36] Yeah, so you can find out more about white privilege, emotions, gender, autism, community adoption, belonging, shame, empathy, gratitude and mindfulness and more.
At a kid's book about dot com, you can find a link Teoh a discount in our show notes.
It'll give you 25% off your first three books.
[18:57] And please know that any commissions raised from our particular link go right back into the systems around us as we donate those books with the money raised to schools and underprivileged communities.
So stay tuned. Next week, the next episode will be your interview.
Our interview with Jordan Theory were super, uh, jazz for that, and later on later on this month, we've got another exciting story.
A kids book about emotions read by powerful black author and black voice.
Nikita Simpson.
Check that out. That will round out the month of black history month. But please know we are always learning we’re always trying to teach ourselves and share that knowledge with others.
And like I said, in the top of the episode, uh, check us out on social media if you can give us a shout out on social media or INSTAGRAM.
Account is at she sounds like me or send us a message at Hello. What? She-sounds-like-me dot com And let us know what you learned And what stood out to you the most about this book. We will send you a copy.
We've got a couple of copies laying around here.
The person it's coming at us with with with with their response about what systemic racism and what they learned today. So stay strong.
Stand up and be heard. Take care of each other.
[20:23] Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening and have an awesome day by.