Resources for Girl Scouts

How to Talk to Your Girl Scout About Racial Equality

We at GSHCC acknowledge that in a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist (Angela Y. Davis). This is why we created a one-stop shop of articles, books, videos, podcast episodes, and other resources to help you in your conversations with your Girl Scouts.

Protests and outcries against institutional racism can prompt questions from your Girl Scout. It can be challenging to know how to navigate these valid queries in a way that is both mindful and age appropriate. We want to ensure you have the resources you need to have honest conversations with your Girl Scout about civic action, social justice, protesting, and racial inequality.

It is important to have an open and honest dialogue with your Girl Scout about why race-related protests occur. Even if your Girl Scout is young, she is capable of empathy. Jacqueline Dougé, M.D., a pediatrician and child health advocate based in Maryland, suggests starting with the following statement: “There are things happening in the news that are upsetting us. Unfortunately, there were police officers that made bad choices for the wrong reasons because of the color of our skin.” There are many more experts like Dougé who can help guide adults through these difficult conversations, especially with younger children. Children as young at 6 months can illustrate racial bias -- these conversations can never start too early.

Make sure your home library is packed with stories centered around black protagonists. Christine Taylor-Butler, author of the The Lost Tribes Series, wrote: “I want stories about kids in a pumpkin patch, and kids in an art museum,” she said. “Not only do we want our kids to read, but we want white kids to see — we’re not the people you’re afraid of.”

We hope this list is a helpful start, and we hope you enjoy some of our personal favorite videos and stories.

How to Approach Conversations (for adults)

7 Things to Do When Your Kid Points Out Someone’s Differences by Rachel Garlinghouse
Talking With Children About Racism, Police Brutality and Protests by Laura Markham
6 Things White Parents Can Do to Raise Racially Conscious Children by Bree Ervin
How to Talk to Little Girls by Lisa Bloom

Books

Grades K-3

Something Happened in Our Neighborhood by Marianna Celano

Grades 4-5

Each Kindness by Jaccqueline Woodson
The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson

Grades 6-8

Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Dear Martin by Nick Stone

Grades 9-12

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Girls Resist by Kaelyn Rich
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

For Adults
Handbook of Race, Racism, and the Developing Child by Stephen M. Quintana and Clark Mckown

Looking for more books?
Check out the Anti-Defamation League to look at their immense catalog of books for kids on topics like bias, bullying, and identity. Many of their books come with a discussion guide for educators or parents. Another great resource to ponder is The Ultimate 2021 List of Diverse Books for Children. So many incredible stories all in one list - we love it!

Videos

Grades K-3

‘I Love My Hair’ Song by Sesame Street

All Ages

Is My Skin Brown Because I Ate Chocolate Milk? TEDXTalk by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Podcasts

Taking Race with Young Children from NPR’s ‘Life Kit’ in collaboration with Sesame Street
What to Say When The Kids Say the News is Scary from NPR’s ‘Life Kit’ in collaboration with Sesame Street

Articles

Table Talk: How to talk to your child about George Floyd’s death (Cadettes and older)
Anti-Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race (For parents)
100 Race-Conscious things you can say to your child to advance racial justice (For parents)
Raising Race-Conscious Children (For parents)
How To Decide to Take Your Kids to Protests (For parents)

Activities

Crafts and Conversations - Lead conversations with your kiddos about race while completing a fun craft together!

Girl Scout Activities and Badges
To be a Girl Scout is to work towards equity and liberation for all. Here are some relevant badges you can work on at home:

Public Policy
Inside Government
Netiquette
Finding Common Ground
Girl Scout Way
Truth Seeker
Justice Journey
Your Voice, Your World journey

Special highlight: Learn about the Cultural Patch Program, started by Girl Scouts of Nassau County!

GSUSA also offers advice for caregivers wanting to help children take action against racism.

This resource list is just the beginning of what GSHCC hopes to intertwine in all aspects of our work. If you have a favorite story you’d like us to add to this list, we’d love to hear it. Storytelling is an incredible bridge towards building Girl Scouts who lead with empathy.