Racism Stops with Me, by Sydney Carlson
Racism permeates every aspect of our lives, and children are absorbing the same conscious and sub-conscious ideas about race that we consume daily. Many resources have been provided for adults to understand and evaluate their own intentions regarding anti-racist work; however, fewer resources are directed towards younger students. Racism STOPS with Me: A Pledge of Intention for Elementary School Children (and their Adult Leaders) is meant as a mindfulness practice to inspire action in children and educators alike. By reciting the pledge daily, Elementary school students will voice their thoughts and opinions about racism, white supremacy, and equity. This pledge moves past the commonly taught “colorblind” approach into territory that allows for all of us to see one another as we are while working as a community to build an equitable classroom. This is NOT a “one and done” approach, but if used correctly, it should provide some scaffolding about how to create reflective, powerful, anti-racist students.
Racism Stops with Me is available now!
Sydney Carlson is a graduate student currently pursuing a doctoral degree in school psychology. As a mixed race woman (Black and White) from Minnesota, she experienced a need to start conversations about race with her students at an earlier age. After the painful and personal murders of both Philando Castile and George Floyd, she began to draft a pledge focused on setting anti-racist intentions for students in elementary school. She hopes to continue writing children's books focused on identifying and destroying white supremacy both in and outside the classroom. Outside of her current project, she intends to consult schools on equity-based solutions aimed at changing destructive white-centric behaviors. She enjoys baking for her cohort, traveling to new places, practicing her German and walking around new neighborhoods. She aspires to own a dog and live on the outskirts of a big city in a tastefully decorated waterfront condo (or at least to move out of her childhood home).