I’m white and an aspiring anti-racist.
By writing to you today, I’m using whatever social capital I have to support social justice and equity for Black Americans and all people of color. Thank you to my fellow Next Step Partners coach, Terra Winston, and many others for encouraging me (and everyone) to use my social capital in this way.
The image featured above, “Anti-Racism: Fixed to Growth Mindset” really spoke to me because it captures both my feelings of inadequacy when it comes to being an ally, as well as my commitment to Positive Discipline which embraces:
- having the “courage to be imperfect” (Rudolf Dreikurs, Children the Challenge)
- using encouragement to develop a “growth mindset” (Carol Dweck, Mindset)
- mutual respect (Rudolf Dreikurs, Social Equality)
- and contributing to society – the idea that the truest sign of good mental health is when one uses their time or talent to contribute to the greater social interest
So, in the spirit of contribution, striving for a more equitable world, and modeling the courage to be imperfect along my own growth path, I’d like to share this resource, Justice in June, from Autumn Gupta; it’s for anyone like me who is an aspiring anti-racist.
Justice in June is simply a chart that articulates things you can watch, read, listen to, or do in 10, 25, or 45-minute chunks each day to learn how to be an active ally to the Black community.
I’ve felt overwhelmed and unprepared to be the kind of ally that people of color need. Autumn’s Justice in June chart helped me to break down small steps I can take begin to shift from a “believer” into a “builder” (from Dolly Chugh’s The Person You Mean To Be).
June’s almost over, but since I just learned about this resource I’m going to make this my July calendar, too. I hope you find it useful!
P.S. Looking to diversify your library of children’s books? Please enjoy:
- This list of children’s books (for 0 – teens) that feature people of color or anti-racist themes (from the New York Times).
- This one-page list of Early Childhood Books that Support Positive Discipline Concepts & Diverse, Equitable & Inclusive Learning Communities. This list was compiled by my friend and fellow Positive Discipline Trainer, Catherine Bronnert DeSchepper.
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