TV Specials that Discuss Diversity & Racism

February, Black History Month, is a great time to talk to kids about diversity and racism in America. However, not all parents are comfortable with this topic. Cue some great television programs tackling these sensitive topics. We recommend prescreening these so that you know what questions may arise as you watch them with your kids.

Here are some specials that have come out in the last year for you to view with your kids.

PBS Kids

Xavier Riddle & The Secret Museum: I am Jesse Owens/I am Ella Fitzgerald

Arthur on Racism: Talk, Listen and Act Arthur, Buster and Mrs. MacGraddy have a conversation about racism and what you can do to fight it.

PBS Kids talk about Race This special features real kids and their parents having conversations about race with references back to the PBS special episodes.

Other

Sesame Street & CNN Racism Town Hall with a message for kids, Abby Cadabby talks about prejudice that Big Bird faces and more.

Kids, Race and Unity hosted by Alicia Keys and presented by Nick News. Talks with founders and leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement, offer tools for families to have constructive conversations about race, and highlights teen activists who are fighting racial injustice. Nickelodeon also has anti-racism resources for parents here.

Netflix presents Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices The episodes feature Black celebrities like Tiffany Haddish, Lupita Nyong’o, Marsai Martin, and Common reading children’s books from Black authors. As the celebrities read, they talk about the message of the book and share their connection with it.

Check out this list of books you can read with your kids in honor of Black history month.

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