Learning about America's Racial Issues: Beginning Difficult Conversations through Read-Alouds

Multiple racial issues in America have been brought to the forefront by the recent deaths of African Americans, yet many teachers feel unprepared to engage with students around issues of race. Their discomfort is likely because traditional textbooks omitted the experiences of non-dominant, marginalized groups, thereby denying readers an opportunity for a rich, multifaceted understanding of historical events. Education has also become politicized, resulting in educational gag orders and book bans. This article recommends using read-alouds with children's literature to begin the complex conversations and learning around America's racial history and how it has led to contemporary situations. Using the book Let the Children March, we provide examples of how to prepare for discussion and instruction that recognizes the varied experiences of diverse Americans and honors their contributions to our democracy.