Books for Kids to Understand the Fight for Racial Equality

The beautiful thing about America is that the country as a whole is one giant melting pot. There are so many different races and ethnicities represented throughout the 50 states.

We at Traveling Stories see roughly 15 different ethnic cultures present at our StoryTent programs! What is truly amazing is seeing everyone come together as one, regardless of their race or ethnic background.

It is important to remember that we are all human, and we need to treat each other with equal amount of respect.

In truth, racial equality has come a long way over the years. It has not been an easy battle, and it is one often still fought to this day. Although most people know of “big names” in the Civil Rights movement and symbols like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and bus boycotts, many Americans lack a general knowledge about the movements towards justice for all.

In a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), “Only 2% of high school seniors in 2010 could answer a simple question about the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision.”

The best way to change statistics like this and educate Americans on the trials and tribulations it took to reach today’s status of racial equality is to start with our youth.

Not too long ago, Readbrightly.com published an incredible list of books that range from picture books to books for tweens and teens that can be used to educate your child on this part of American history.

Some of the books included in the list are:

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh – This book brings to life the story of Sylvia Mendez, an American girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, who helped to end school segregation in California.

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkey, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn – This collection of sort biographies celebrates the lives of incredible women like Ella Josephine Baker, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Dorothy Irene Height.

The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon – An authentic view of what life was life for a Black teen during the civil rights struggles.

Provide the Building Blocks & a Solid Foundation for a Better Future!

Visit readbrightly.com to see their full list of books Books to Help Kids Understand the Fight for Racial Equality “to help us move beyond tokens and icons to a deeper understanding of our history and its legacy, toward our own marches for liberty and justice for all.”