What If All the Kids Are White?

by Derman Sparks, Louise

• ISBN13: 9780807746776
• ISBN10: 0807746770
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-30
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr

Summary

In this compelling volume, distinguished educators tackle a frequently asked question about multicultural education: How do I teach about racial and cultural diversity if all my students are white? The authors propose seven learning themes to help young white children resist messages of racism and build identity and skills for thriving in a multicultural country and world.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Carol Brunson Day	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction: Why a Book About White Children?	1	(10)
An Alternative Vision of White Identity	2	(2)
Core Learning Themes	4	(2)
Book Organization	6	(1)
Our Own Backgrounds	7	(4)
1. Ideals to Practice	11	(18)
Strategic Planning	15	(3)
Working with Adult Resistance	18	(2)
Knowing Yourself	20	(1)
The Adult Anti-racist Journey	21	(8)
PART I: IDENTITY AND RACISM
2. A Short History of White Racism in the United States	29	(10)
Roots and History of Racism	29	(4)
Contemporary White Racism	33	(3)
Costs of Racism to Whites	36	(3)
3. How Children Construct White Identities	39	(12)
Developing White Racial-Group Identity	39	(5)
The Interaction of Race and Social Class	44	(2)
The Effects of Consumerism	46	(2)
Nurturing the Roots of Caring in Young Children	48	(3)
4. Fostering Children's Identities	51	(15)
Learning Themes	51	(1)
Learning What Your Children Are Thinking and Feeling	52	(3)
Strategies for Working with Children	55	(11)
5. Exploring White Identities with Staff and Families	66	(25)
Working with Resistance to AB/MC Work	66	(2)
Learning About Your Own Identity	68	(1)
Learning About Your Children's Families	69	(2)
Laying the Foundation for Working with Families	71	(2)
Facilitating Tips	73	(2)
Strategies for Implementing Learning Themes	75	(5)
Taking the Next Step: Going Deeper into the Issue of White Identity	80	(2)
A Tale of Two Centers: Episode One	82	(9)
PART II: MAKING CONNECTIONS AND BECOMING ACTIVISTS
6. A Short History of White Resistance to Racism in the United States	91	(10)
Anti-racism Movements in the 17th and 18th Centuries	92	(2)
The Abolitionist Movement and Civil War	94	(2)
Anti-racism Movements in the 20th Century	96	(2)
Current Anti-racism Movements	98	(3)
7. How Children Learn About Racism and Anti-racism	101	(10)
How Children Learn About Race and Ethnicity	102	(3)
Children's Friendship Choices	105	(1)
Children Learn to Resist Racism and Other Inequities	106	(3)
Looking Forward to Adulthood	109	(2)
8. Fostering Children's Caring and Activism	111	(17)
Learning Themes	112	(2)
Learning What Your Children Are Thinking and Feeling	114	(2)
Strategies for Working with Children	116	(12)
9. Cultivating Caring and Activism with Staff and Families	128	(14)
Addressing the Learning Themes with Adults	128	(1)
Learning About Yourself	129	(2)
Learning About Your Children's Families	131	(1)
Strategies for Working with Families and Staff	132	(6)
Next Steps: Investigating Racism as a System	138	(4)
A Tale of Two Centers: Episode Two	142	(9)
Appendix A: Children's Books and Curriculum Resources	151	(9)
Appendix B: Organizations and Web Sites	160	(3)
Appendix C: Selected White Anti-racism Activists in the 20th and 21st Centuries	163	(4)
Appendix D: What Do Trees Have to Do with Peace?	167	(4)
References	171	(8)
Index	179	(8)
About the Authors	187