Anti-Racism Resources

Public libraries are places of inclusion and empowerment, dedicated to breaking down barriers to access and resisting inequality. Below are some resources that illuminate systems of race, privilege and power as well as how to enact change in ourselves and our institutions. We hope these resources help you recognize and challenge biases, navigate difficult conversations and create an inclusive, respectful space for learning, engagement and improvement.

Checkout these Materials from Calvert Library

• Anti-Racism and Social Justice Reading List of Digital Materials  
• Anti-Racism and Social Justice Reading List of Physical Materials

eBooks & eAudiobooks Lists

• Anti-Racism and Social Justice Reading List  
• Black Stories and Experiences 
• Celebrate Diversity 
• Conversations About Race  
• Talking to Kids About Race 

Watch & Learn: Streaming Movies & Documentary Lists

• Social and Systemic Injustice Films
• Celebrating Black Stories for Children in Movies
• Conversations About Race in Movies

Explore & Learn

• Anti-racist learning resources from PBS – A list of links to resources available from PBS NewsHour and other PBS programs
• Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families – CNN commentators team with Sesame Street and bring together politicians and characters from Sesame Street for q & a and stories
• Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture Talking About Race toolkit – Links to particular discussion guides based around race, privilege, antiracism, and self-care aimed at educators, parents and caregivers, or people committed to equity
• Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man – A video series that provides a safe place to have uncomfortable conversations about race

Podcasts:

• 1619 – From the New York Times, this narrative podcast tells the story that began in August 1619 when a ship of enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia.
• Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist – An episode of Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us, during which she talks with Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to be an Anti-Racist.
• Code Switch – From NPR, Code Switch is a podcast that takes the topic of race and discusses how it influences every part of society – from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between.
• Come Through with Rebecca Carroll – During this election year, these are 15 essential conversations about race for America.
• Floodlines – An eight-part podcast that uses interviews to tell the story of the tumultuous events surrounding Hurricane Katrina and its submerging of the city of New Orleans.
• Groundings – This podcast connects organizing, theory, and history with dialogue, experience, and storytelling. A form of communal education that invites listeners to sit, listen, talk, share, and learn.
• The Nod – This podcast celebrates the genius, innovation, and resilience that is so particular to being Black — in America, and around the world.

Board of Library Trustees Equality Policy Statement

We believe Calvert Library and all other public libraries are the crucibles of democracy, the means for everyone’s pursuit of happiness and prosperity, and our guarantors of freedom and opportunity.  Public libraries welcome all races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, languages, and abilities.  All are welcome here and entitled to respect and civility.  All are invited to learn for themselves what is true and what is good.  Honest discourse is welcome here.  Each person is entitled to be treated equally, without discrimination — and will be here.