Imagine ending this year knowing that you’ve been part of meaningful change – not just for yourself, not just for your family, but for your community. As I think about my intentions for this year, one of my deepest longings is to live out my commitment to social justice.
But I also know that the desire to align my life and my social justice values isn’t enough to create actual change in my life.
I need to make specific commitments, to myself and to the important people in my life, for passion to be channeled into action.
This post offers 9 intentions for the new year, each rooted in social justice, that I find particularly meaningful for parents, teachers, and caregivers.
I hope that you’ll join me in choosing one intention (from this list or one you come up with on your own).
This isn’t about trying to do everything or be perfect. Perfectionism quickly leads to disappointment, which usually causes us to abandon our intentions completely.
Instead choose something that will stretch you without breaking you.
Let this year be one that we seek liberation and justice, for and with the children of our communities.
9 social justice intentions to help parents and educators live with purpose
Disclosure: For your convenience, this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
1. Commit to one place or group that you will take action with.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past year, it’s that trying to do too many things often results in doing little to nothing.
My youngest son turned 7 this year, and with his growing independence, I jumped back into activism. I went through a short sprint where I was trying to show up to everything I was invited to. Because I didn’t have any priorities set, I quickly felt overwhelmed.
So this year, I’ve decided that my main activism priority will be showing up for urgent action calls from a local grassroots immigration group. This volunteer organization shows up when there are suspected ICE raids taking place in our community. By being present, we can deter ICE from detaining a parent who could be ripped away from their children.
Traditional activism isn’t for everyone. Your place to take action might be within the school your child attends or where you teach. How can you be a voice for justice there?
Can you work with others to change a school policy that prevents students with disabilities from fully taking part in school activities?
Can you encourage the school to use materials or books that are written by authors of color or that teach LGBTQ history?
2. Make a plan to read more anti-bias and social justice books with your children this year
The stories that we offer children are incredibly powerful. Children’s books give kids ideas – for better or worse – about who is an important part of a community, and who is not.
Social justice themed books let kids unpack issues that adults often struggle to explain in age appropriate ways. They introduce kids to the power that ordinary people have to make change.
And contrary to popular belief, not all anti-bias books have to be serious. Stories that show kids of color, children with a disability, and LGBTQ headed families living everyday life can also challenge kids’ prejudices.
That said, it’s not always easy for busy parents and teachers to find these books.
Use my booklists to find the books that are right for your family or classroom:
15 picture books about social justice and human rights
12 stereotype-busting children’s books that star disabled characters
Best children’s books about Black women leaders
15 LGBTQ affirming picture books
8 diverse chapter book series for early readers
3. Learn more about a social justice issue you don’t understand, so that you’re prepared to talk to children about it.
Last year, I decided that it was past time for me to learn more about Native American nations and the history of indigenous people in the United States.
We all learn in different ways, but one of my favorite ways to learn is reading (shocking, I know!)
Two of the books that helped me learn what I wasn’t taught in school included An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer. FYI, Dunbar-Ortiz’s book is also available in a young readers’ edition.
I’ve realized that the more I’m learning about social justice, the more natural opportunities that come up for me to talk about what I’m learning with my kids.
This year, I’ve committed to learning more about the disability rights movement and how ableism shapes our society.
Related Resources:
Mega list of antiracism resources for parents and teachers
LGBTQ affirming resources for parents and teachers
4. Support the work of young activists
Being an activist for social justice always requires courage. But for children and young adults, taking up a cause can be especially daunting.
This year, how can you offer your support to brave young people who are acting for justice?
Can you participate in young trans activist Rebekah Bruesehoff’s LGBTQ book drive?
Draw attention to the number of immigrant children living in detention camps by joining in The Butterfly Effect?
Join with students taking action against gun violence through a variety of organizations?
Related blog post: Wisdom for student activists: 4 guides to social change for tweens and teens
5. Commit to talking to kids about hard history
[bctt tweet=”We can’t understand U.S. history without addressing enslavement and the theft of Native American land. Many adults steer clear of these topics. But there are age appropriate ways of talking with kids about them.” username=”rebekahg_bfb”]
In late 2018, my family committed to learning about the Chickasaw people whose stolen land we live on. That’s meant reading books together, a trip to visit the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma in 2019, and lots of conversation.
While we’ve talked about dance, traditional stories, and culture, we’ve also talked about the Trail of Tears. At age 7, our youngest son doesn’t need to know all the grizzly details. But he does know that people were unfairly forced off their land and that as white people we unfairly benefit from that.
You can find ideas in this post for learning about the indigenous people whose land you live on.
When it comes to enslavement, there are lots of things teachers and parents should consider.
I wrote a post (which led to my interview with The Washington Post) that offers questions, ideas, children’s books, and resources that will equip you to teach enslavement in ways that are accurate and age appropriate.
6. Make a family giving plan that includes social justice organizations
Sometimes we forget that charity and social justice are not the same thing.
Yes, it’s important to support groups that meet people’s immediate needs.
But the new year is also a good time to take a step back and consider whether our overall giving reflects our commitment to social justice.
How much of your giving is going to groups that address the root causes of problems like poverty, discrimination, and climate change?
If you give to social justice organizations already, how many of these groups are led by people of color?
This year, we’ve designated a certain percentage of our giving to organizations with Black or indigenous leadership.
We’re also doing a “giving sprint” of sorts this month. We’re cutting back on unnecessary spending so that we’ll have more to give to the San Fernando Valley Refugee Children’s Center. They provide legal representation to refugee kids who are in danger of deportation.
7. Talk about the election with your children
The election provides us a big opportunity not just to talk about particular candidates, but the issues that we want those candidates to stand for.
Parents and teachers can encourage kids to tell us what they most want to see change in their communities. Older kids could even attend candidate forums with us, perhaps even asking a question at the event.
Find more ideas (and picture book recommendations) for talking about elections and democracy in this post.
8. Follow news sources that amplify the voices of people of color
Some of the most interesting social justice conversations that happen in our house start with our 7 year old overhearing my husband and I talk about the news.
He often asks us questions, even when we didn’t know he was listening. At times, I feel inadequate to explain things in a way he can understand. But most of the time we’re able to have a meaningful conversation.
But to even start these conversations, we first have to get our news from sources that amplify voices of color and that talk about social justice issues.
So, in addition to sources like The Washington Post and NPR, I also read news sources like Essence magazine and the Indian Country Today website. I follow social media sites including our local Black Lives Matter chapter, which post articles from news sources I’m unlikely to see otherwise.
9. Incorporate social justice discussion and lessons into your classroom
If you’re a teacher or religious educator, think about the opportunities you have this year to talk about social justice with your students.
[bctt tweet=”Teaching kids about equity is not teaching them what to think. It is about giving them the tools and strategies and language and opportunities to practice how to think. – Liz Kleinrock ” username=”rebekahg_bfb”]
I love the advice in this video from teacher Liz Kleinrock about addressing equity and taboo topics in the classroom. She says that “teaching kids about equity is not teaching them what to think. It is about giving them the tools and strategies and language and opportunities to practice how to think.” She compares it with how we teach children to read.
I also love using creative activities and the arts to explore justice issues with children.
You can download four of the arts-based activities (for free!) that we used at Evergreen Peace Camp last summer to teach children about gender stereotypes, civil rights, and more by signing up for my free Resource Library (use the form below.)
What intention are you setting for the new year that will help you live out your commitment to social justice?
Whether it’s an idea I’ve shared here or one of your own, I’d love to know what it is. Please share in the comments! Your commitment will inspire others.
And remember, the goal is not to try to do all the things. Pick one place to deepen your social justice journey. Then when you’re ready, take the next best step.