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Empowering Kids to Champion Racial Justice
Racism is the most challenging issue confronting our society, and addressing it directly is vitally important. It can also be overwhelming, especially for kids. As parents and educators, we can empower kids, families, and classrooms to be antiracist.
To help, Brilliant Star has compiled resources to engage kids in exploring and talking about prejudice, racism, and race unity. Through games, puzzles, quizzes, stories, interviews, and engaging activities, kids can learn about racial injustice and what to do when they see it. These articles can be used at home or in the classroom to empower kids of all ages to take action against racism and create friendships and communities based on true unity.
History of Racism
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Kindness in New York (Story about Meeting an African American Kid)
A Memorable Meal with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Story about Lunch with Louis Gregory)
Shoghi Effendi’s Guidance (Story and Word Search)
More Than Two Colors, by Andrea Hope (Story and Action Ideas)
Talking About ... The Reality of Racism (Guide for Interviewing an Elder)
Basics of Science and Anthropology
Maya’s Mysteries: Does Race Exist? (Quiz)
Hoshi’s Adventures: The Human Race (Word Fill-In)
Maya’s Mysteries: Colors of Humanity (Hands-On Science Activity)
The Hair We Wear (Matching)
Nur’s Nook: One Family Tree (Hands-On Craft)
Understand Facts About Racism, Prejudice, Discrimination
Stories of Unity: Defines Racism and Prejudice (Word Fill-In)
Nur’s Nook: Make a Balanced Bird Sculpture: Defines Equity (Hands-On Craft)
Dressing for Diversity: Defines Prejudice and Discrimination (Matching)
Media Madness: Defines Stereotypes (Word Fill-In)
Sheep Smarts: Defines Stereotypes and Melanin (Animal Search)
Take a Bite Out of Stereotypes: Defines Stereotypes (Word Search)
Monster CommUNITY (Matching)
Uprooting Racism (Item Find)
Zeke and Rhombus: We’re All Noble (Decoding)
Escape the Pens of Prejudice (Animal Finds)
Aw, Rats!—Explore Prejudice and Empathy (Word Search)
Speak Up Against Injustice
What Do You Say about Prejudice? (Practice Responding)
What Do You Say about Injustice or Racism? (Practice Responding)
What Do You Say When You Spot Racist Ideas? (Practice Responding)
Maya’s Mysteries: Courage to Connect (Hands-On Science Activity)
I Have a Dream: Essay by Brian A., age 12
Challenge Your Own Implicit Bias
Riley’s Rainforest: Our Unfair Brains (Exploring the Science of Prejudice)
Respectful Remedies—Learn About Microaggressions (Word Fill-in)
Master Your Mindbugs (Matching)
Monsters of the Mind (Matching)
More Monsters of the Mind (Matching)
Quiz: Are You a World Citizen?
Quiz: How Welcoming Are You?
Quiz: Do You Believe in Equality for All?
Challenge White Privilege
Respectful Remedies: Tips for Stopping Microaggressions (Word Fill-in)
Privilege: An Unfair Game (Group Games)
Quiz: Do You Take Action Against Racism and Prejudice?
Fair Play (Group Games)
Prayers and Spiritual Approaches
The Signs of Oneness (A Bahá’í Quote with Vocabulary Words)
One Peaceful Home (A Bahá’í Quote with Vocabulary Words)
Positive Thoughts for Peace (A Bahá’í Quote with Vocabulary Words)
Stories of Heroes
Shining Lamp: Dr. Elsie Austin (1908-2004) - The first Black female Assistant Attorney General for Ohio
Shining Lamp: Dr. Magdalene Carney (1929-1991) - An educator who guided integration of a Mississippi school system
Shining Lamp: Amoz Gibson (1918-1982) - A teacher on a Navajo reservation and a member of the first Universal House of Justice
Shining Lamp: Louis Gregory (1874-1951) - A lawyer who advocated for racial equality and harmony
Shining Lamp: Franklin Kahn (1934-2010) - The first American Indian to be elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
Shining Lamp: David Kellum (1903-1981) - A journalist who promoted race unity for kids around the world
Shining Lamp: Dr. Alain Locke (1885-1954) - A professor, philosopher, and writer who advocated for racial justice
Shining Lamp: Patricia Locke (1928-2001) - An activist for Indigenous rights, and the first American Indian woman elected to the National Spiritual Assembly
Shining Lamp: Rebequa Murphy (1953-2008) - Her international upbringing inspired her career in International Development
Shining Lamp: Sadie Oglesby (c. 1881-1955) - Shoghi Effendi encouraged her to be a vocal supporter of race unity
Shining Lamp: Enoch Olinga (1926-1979) - His radiant spirit helped to spread the light of Bahá’í teachings in Africa and worldwide
Shining Lamp: Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1868-1940) - Founder of the Chicago Defender and promoter of race unity
Shining Lamp: Robert Turner (c. 1855-1909) - The first African American Bahá’í
Shining Lamp: Kanichi Yamamoto (1879-1961) - The first Japanese Bahá’í
Interviews with Champions of Race Unity
Stargazer: Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy - An author, educator, and prominent advocate for racial justice
Stargazer: Eric Dozier - A music educator who works for justice and unity
Stargazer: Tod Ewing - His work with the Race Story ReWrite Project empowers people to form interracial relationships
Stargazer: Van Gilmer - A musician and choir director whose music touches hearts at the Bahá’í House of Worship
Stargazer: Dr. Randie Gottlieb - Her UnityWorks Foundation trains educators and promotes the oneness of humanity
Stargazer: Dr. Brian Lepard - A law professor who works for international human rights
Stargazer: Victoria Smalls - An educator who shares her love of the unique Gullah Geechee community
Stargazer: Dr. William “Smitty” Smith - Founder of the National Center for Race Amity in Boston
Stargazer: Dr. June Manning Thomas - A professor of Urban and Regional Planning who works toward economic and racial justice
Be a World Citizen / Appreciate Diversity
50 Ways to Be a World Citizen (Tips for Action)
Appreciation for Terrific Teachers (Ideas for Teacher Gifts)
Favorite Festivals (Item Find)
Be-Leaf in Unity (Word Match)
Fun & Friendship from A to Z (Word Fill-in)
Flock of Fellowship (Animal Find)
Riley’s Rainforest: Team Up with Diversity (Exploring the Benefits of Diversity)
Maze: Music of Unity
Zeke and Rhombus: Space for Cooperation (Item Find)
Hats Off to You (Matching)
Stars of One Heaven (Word Scramble)
Dressing for Diversity (Matching)
Materials for Parents and Teachers
Overcoming Prejudice
Parents & Teachers: Taking Off My Racial Color-blind Lens
9 Ways to Teach Children Tolerance in a Fearful World
“I Wish I Were Black”: Talking About White Privilege with My Six-Year-Old
Using Brilliant Star to Nurture Hope and Resilience
50 Ways to Be A World Citizen
How Travel Opens the Eyes, Minds, and Hearts of Youngsters
Raising Children to Be Brave, Thoughtful, and Knowledgeable About Race
Why Teach with Multicultural Books?
Updated on 6.24.20