For my hope for you as you engage with this content, please see my introduction on the DEIA page.
You will find various types of resources below. Any of my corresponding posts/insights will be incorporated for your further exploration and engagement of the resources provided. Would love to see your thoughts and reflections in the comments of the corresponding posts! (You must be subscribed to the free newsletter in order to engage in discussion).
These thought-provoking resources were intentionally chosen for being impactful at some point in my journey as a lifelong learner to be anti-racist. These include resources that challenged me to reflect on my own biases, process my own lived experiences, and/or see myself represented in the media.
Please Note: please check back as resources will greatly expand as I rewatch/reread bookmarks in my list from over the years to ensure the resources are still accurate and reflective of current thought. Some links may repeat as they overlap categories
Videos ("Resources" playlist available on my YouTube channel)
13th: Must-watch documentary by Ava DuVernay on the U.S. prison industrial complex and mass incarceration. Full Documentary on Netflix and at this link
Act.Tv: Systemic Racism Explained
Cut: Black Parents Explain How to Deal with the Police
Equal Justice Initiative: "The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society."
Equal Justice Initiative, True Justice: Full film here. "This HBO documentary follows Bryan Stevenson and EJI's struggle to create greater fairness in the criminal justice system."
Glamour: Uzo Aduba never liked her name, "if they can learn to say Tchaikovsky..." is an unforgettable quote and super relatable experience for many kids in America
Hasan Minhaj on pronunciation of his name: Interview on the Ellen DeGeneres show (0:00-2:10 mostly, continue for more on an immigrant story) and commentary on Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (starting at 15:22)
Jane Elliott's Blue Eyes / Brown Eye Experiment: A Class Divided (full documentary) by FRONTLINE (main exercise 2:10-19:41); experiment on the Oprah Winfrey show
TED Talk: The Danger of a Single Story with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
TED Talk: The Power of Passion and Perseverance with Angela Lee Duckworth
TED Talk: The Urgency of Intersectionality with Kimberlé Crenshaw, 2 minute video with Crenshaw "what is intersectionality?"
Entertainment
13th: Must-watch documentary by Ava DuVernay on the U.S. prison industrial complex and mass incarceration. Full Documentary on Netflix and at this link
Beef: Netflix comedy-drama series with Steven Yeun and Ali Wong
"Black Lives Matter" collection on Netflix
Everything Everywhere All at Once: won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture. Chinese immigrant/ Chinese American story with Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan
The Farewell: Chinese/ Chinese American story with Awkwafina (won Golden Globe for performance), written and directed by Lulu Wang
Just Mercy based on book by Bryan Stevenson, find out more here
The Mindy Project: rom-com sitcom following an obstetrician/gynecologist medical practice and its doctors with Mindy Kaling
Minari: heart-breaking Korean American/immigrant story with Steven Yuen and Youn Yuh-jung (윤여정) who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and gave the most precious acceptance speech
Articles (Coming Soon)
Articles with commentary: Coming Soon
Scholarly Articles (Coming Soon)
Annotated Bibliography: Coming Soon
Resources for Adults (for children, see "Family Resources")
Books: My Recommendations for Adults Bookshop Wishlist (more information and referral link for purchases at bottom of this post), my book reviews on DEIA topics here
13 Books to Educate Yourself on Antiracism, According to Black Women: "We went to Black writers, entrepreneurs, and academics for recommendations on must-read antiracism books [...]" I cannot emphasize enough to please learn from Black authors directly. And consider a simple Google search to support your local Black-owned businesses/bookstores to find these books. All books already on my wishlist!
21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge ©: Contains syllabus with resources and exercises. "The goal of the Challenge is to assist each of us to become more aware, compassionate, constructive, engaged people in the quest for racial equity."
Civil Rights Trail: Interactive map, landmarks, video interviews, and more for at home exploring or a useful guide for your civil rights trip.
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (find all available books by this author at this link)
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, find out more here
Yu and Me Books: I don't recall how I found them but I have been a newsletter subscriber ever since, and now my chosen Bookshop bookstore! "Yu and Me books is the first female Asian American owned bookstore in NYC located in historical Manhattan Chinatown. Our focus is on the strong, diverse voices of our community, with a highlight on immigrant stories." Instagram, LinkTree, BookShop lists such as 20 Must-Read Asian American Authored Books For AAPI Month
Notable Content Creators and Organizations (You can also see who I'm following on @childlifewithanisha on Instagram and Threads)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "Defend the rights of all people nationwide." Website, Instagram
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women Lead. "AAPI Women Lead is a queer, feminist, survivor-led, and former sex-worker-led community based intergenerational organization that works to end violence against Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (ANHPI) women, girls, and non-binary communities. Our organization is led by ANHPI women, girls, and non binary communities in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color." Website, LinkTree, Instagram, Resources
Brittany Packnett Cunningham. Activist. LinkTree, Instagram, Podcast
Brown Girl Therapy with Sahaj Kaur Kohli. Therapist, educator, speaker who founded "first/largest mental health community for all children of immigrants." Author of But What Will People Say?: Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures. Instagram
Coconut Moon. "Embracing Disability through Playful Learning" by co-founders Leah Terrill, CCLS, CTRS and Lauren Hall, MD. "Empowering families to talk about disability through awareness." Check out "Child Life Library" videos for books! Instagram, Facebook, Resources
Equal Justice Initiative. Tons of powerful content to explore in the form of reports, videos, and resources. Don't know where to start? Consider exploring the microsite for Segregation in America. If you are able, EJI has legacy sites located in Montgomery, Alabama to "experience American history at the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park." I have had the opportunity to visit many memorials and museums around the world and I must say not many compare. If you go on a civil right trail trip, check out this resource.
Illuminative. "IllumiNative is a Native woman-led racial & social justice org building power for Native people by amplifying Native voices, stories & issues." LinkTree, Instagram
NBC Asian America. "News, features, videos and more that aim to elevate Asian American and Pacific Islander voices across the U.S." Instagram
Overcoming Racism. This consulting agency was founded by my fellow alumnus from Tufts University. Find great educational content, resources, and services: Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Coaching Services
Rachel Cargle. Activist and author. LinkTree, Instagram
Rebekah Taussig. "She writes to understand, to reclaim, and to participate in changing the cultural narratives we have around disability, motherhood, and what it means to live in a human body. She believes storytelling can change the world. Literally." She is the author of Sitting Pretty and has a free Substack. Website. Instagram. For child life professionals and anyone else interested, she was the closing keynote at the ACLP 2023 conference. This webinar "Rethinking what accessibility & inclusion look like and transforming the patient experience" is available to watch for free here for members and students.
Stop AAPI Hate. "A national coalition aimed at addressing racism and discrimination affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." Website, Instagram, Community Resources
Trevor Project. Vision for "a world where all LGBTQ+ young people see a bright future for themselves" and mission "to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people." Website, Instagram, Resources, Crisis Support
Please Support Local Bookstores! Find yours here
Bookshop Referral LinkFor More Files and Content
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Shedding Light on Child Life is an independent publication launched in November 2024 by Anisha S. Reza, MS, CCLS. All posts and resources are curated from this author's professional opinion and expertise. Any questions, comments, or requests can be directed via email to childlifewithanisha@gmail.com.
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