Inspired Learning
Resources on Antiracism and Social Justice

UPDATED: June 12, 2020

Mid-Penisula High School’s core values of respect, kindness, acceptance, and responsibility are the heart of our community. We believe diversity enriches our school culture, brings different perspectives to conversations, and leads to deeper academic and social connections in our classrooms, on campus, and beyond. We continue to examine our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, and while we make progress, we know there is always more we can do. 

Following is a list of resources about antiracism and social justice.

Book Recommendations by Mid-Pen Faculty and Staff

Fiction

  • BLM-PD by Myron Clifto
  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Biography

  • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson*
  • Real American by Julie Lythcott-Haims 

Non-Fiction

  • Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
  • Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique Morris, Mankaprr Conteh, et al.
  • Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol
  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds (You can also listen to this book online for free via Spotify.)
  • Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson*
  • The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
  • This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education by Jose Wilson
  • The Color of the Land: Race, Nation, and the Politics of Landownership in Oklahoma, 1832-1929 by David A. Chang
  • The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
  • The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward
  • The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  • Things that Make White People Uncomfortable, Michael Bennet and Dave Zirin
  • White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
  • White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
  • Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum PhD

Videos

Jane Elliott - "Blue Eye Brown Eye" experimen

"Race and Whiteness in the Era of Trumpism" by Tim Wise

How unintentional but insidious bias can be the most harmful

Microaggressions in the Classroom 

Implicit Bias - Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Racism:

*Available as an mp3. Please contact communications@mid-pen.org if you would like to listen to these books.

Online Resources

Antiracism Resources Compiled by Mid-Pen Alum Sarah Sophie Flicker ’90, who was also a leader of the national Women’s March. It is intended to serve as a “resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work.” 

15 Books (and Anti-Racist Resources) to Add to Your Summer Reading List via California Teacher Development Collaborative

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Books and Movies for Teens and Adults via Education, Excellence, & Equity Resources via E3Educate

Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here's What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read via Time.com

An Anti-Racist Reading List via The New York Times

Editorial: Seven things Californians can do right now to fight structural racism via the Los Angeles Times

San Mateo County of Education Resources on Racism and Injustice

Resources from the National Association of Independent Schools 

How to speak to children about traumatic events

How to teach about racism and civil unrest

How students can take action