The Untold Story of the Story That I Told: Correcting Mistakes When Teaching Kids About Slavery
Did you read the title of this episode? It’s a doozy!
As convoluted as “The Untold Story of the Story That I Told” is, I couldn’t resist calling this newest episode that because of the WILD ride I went on making it.
Years ago I made an eBook called “Rise and Resist” where I highlighted five different Black people who were alive around the time of Juneteenth. I told their stories and really wanted people to use this eBook to be able to share stories of Black resistance with children and students.
I was planning on using one of those stories in today’s episode as a way to illustrate how talking to kids about slavery can be complicated, but when I opened the book, I was astounded. I could not believe some of the stuff I wrote!
There were things in there that I would never say today — things I would cringe about if someone else said them, but I double cringed knowing that I wrote them!
So this episode is a little bit of what I had planned, but also a little bit of me correcting what I got totally wrong.
I hope this episode reminds you how anti-racism is a journey. It’s about growth. And the best thing we can do is keep moving forward and keep trying to grow. Sometimes we’ll be in a position where our growth is evident, even if it’s a little embarrassing, but it’s worth it. If we’re not trying to make change, speaking up and telling stories, then we might miss the opportunity to try to make things right — which is something I’m trying to do today!
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If you’re interested in bringing anti-racist education into your home or classroom, now is the time to get them! Summer is a great time to start using these programs in your home or to prepare to use them in your classroom.
Head over to firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary to learn more or to get the programs!
Invite Jasmine to work with your school!
Are you a parent or teacher who wants to help your school turn good intentions into positive action by making anti-racist education a priority? First Name Basis is here to help!
Jasmine Bradshaw, the host and founder of the First Name Basis Podcast, is an anti-racist educator and former second-grade teacher who has a passion for helping schools make real change. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker at your next PTA event, want to implement our Ally Elementary curriculum at your school, or need someone to consult with your school and provide teacher trainings, Jasmine is your go-to resource.
Email hello@firstnamebasis.org or click the button below for more information!
Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 1, Episode 3: “Talking to Your Children About Slavery”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 26: “What is Juneteenth and How Can I Celebrate?”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7: “Service, Not Saviorism”
First Name Basis Podcast, Season 5, Episode 7: “The Untold Story of Rosa Parks”
“How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America,” by Clint Smith
“They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South,” by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” by Nicole Hannah-Jones
“Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” by Ibram X. Kendi
Juneteenth Strawberry Lemonade Cards by First Name Basis
Richmond was the second largest city in the South when Virginia seceded
Virginia was the largest Confederate state
NAACP Culpeper Branch style guide for writing and teaching about slavery
“Against Wind and Tide: The African American Struggle against the Colonization Movement,” by Ousmane Power-Greene
“How a Movement to Send Formerly Enslaved People to Africa Created Liberia,” by Becky Little, History.com
Elizabeth Van Lew, American Battlefield Trust
Elizabeth L. Van Lew, Library of Virginia
“American Police,” Throughline Podcast, NPR
Article about Mary Jane Richards dated Oct. 7, 1865 in The Anglo-African
Info about the history of The Anglo-African
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
