Title: Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
Headings: Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
1. Set Up a Safe and Respectful Classroom Environment.
2. Consider the Racial Composition of Your Classroom.
3. Define Terms.
4. Connect the Past to the Present.
5. Understand Perspective.
6. Think Critically About the Media.
7. Talk About Structural Racism and White Privilege.
8. Encourage Empathy.
9. Inspire Hope and Activism.

Content: It is critical that teachers do their own individual reflection and possess the background and skills to discuss white privilege and structural racism so it doesn’t backfire or lead to defensiveness when discussing with students. Think carefully about your comfort with the topic and do not address it unless you feel comfortable and skilled in doing so. Consider using a video like MTV's documentary film White People to facilitate the discussion. 8. Encourage Empathy. Compassion and empathy go a long way in helping students understand race and racism. Provide opportunities for students to hear the thoughts and feelings of people most impacted by racism through in-person conversations, interviews, narratives, videos, photos and recordings. Have students reflect on these experiences and focus especially on the feelings of others. In this way, you help students be sensitive to what people are going through in these situations, which promotes empathy. Allow and help students express their range of emotions (anger, rage, frustration, sadness, hopelessness) about what’s happening as well as listen with compassion to the feelings of others.