Multimedia projects for and about Black parents

Wednesday, July 29, 2020
CGCC News

Listening to the voices of our students, extended family, faculty and alumni as we explore the Hopes & Fears of our Black community, we want to amplify some additional resources on your journey of healing. 
 
The July Hopes & Fears event focused on Black parents and students.

Members of the CGCC faculty have curated some books, podcasts, websites and documentaries focused on this topic to help extend the conversation beyond our monthly series.

Readings

The Purpose of a House: Personal essay on how the pandemic has shown having your own home is more than four walls. 

“A Talk to Teachers” by James Baldwin: The 1963 discussion with teachers about the turmoil in society remains relevant today. 
 
Canadian education is steeped in racism: When police officers handcuff a 48-pound girl in school, it set off a national examination of how Canadian public education can be damaging to minority youth. 

Video

The Talk: This two-hour documentary is about the increasingly necessary conversation taking place in homes and communities across the country between parents of color and their children, especially sons, about how to behave if they are ever stopped by the police.

When did my baby become a threat to you? In this powerful video, by Lauryn Whitney, showcases the voices of black males from toddler to adults asking when others feared them.

 
Raising Dion:  A widowed mom sets out to solve the mystery surrounding her young son's emerging superpowers while keeping his extraordinary gifts under wraps.

Multimedia resources

The hate you give:  When a teenager witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend she must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.

Talking to Kids About Racism

Elmo and his dad Louie talk about racism and protesting: Explaining to very young children how and why  people are protesting can be difficult. But Elmo and his dad help make it easier for the younger children to understand.
 
Finding ways to talk to children of all ages about race and racism can be difficult but these 14 movies compiled by Woman’s Day can jump start the conversation. 

 
Educational opportunities

Black Minds Matter:  A free course to take with suggested readings, Black Minds Matter is a public course designed to increase the national consciousness about issues facing Black boys and men in education. 

Podcast

Somebody: When Shapearl Wells's son Courtney is found outside a Chicago police station with a fatal bullet wound, Shapearl immediately distrusts the official narrative. So she launches her own investigation into her son’s murder and teams up with journalists from the Invisible Institute to confront the cops and find the truth about Courtney's death. Somebody explores the racial disparities and turbulent relationship between law enforcement and citizens in one of America’s largest cities.