FMI Commitment to Social & Racial Justice

Recent public events, including the murders of unarmed Black individuals by the police, the Black Lives Matter Movement protests and response,  the storming of the Capitol and lack of response, and the violence and hatred directed against people of Asian American descent have unfolded in the context of the vastly inequitable deadly impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities. These events are the result of historical and current systematic oppression, violence, racism, sexism, xenophobia and discrimination. They share common roots in white supremacy. As faculty and staff of the Frances McClelland Institute (FMI) for Children, Youth, and Families, we remain dedicated to the pursuit of social justice and elimination of racism. Frances McClelland experienced and fought against sexism, ableism and the anti-immigrant discrimination of her era.  We are more motivated than ever to realize her vision of creating opportunities for children, youth and families to thrive, especially those who experience marginalization, discrimination and oppression. To achieve Frances’s vision requires tackling centuries of white supremacy that embeds every context in our society.

We believe that building resilient families builds resilient communities, and that building resilient communities builds resilient families.  This resilience-building includes the need to tackle and dismantle longstanding beliefs, practices, and policies, and to confront and acknowledge  the everyday and the headline-grabbing experiences of discrimination, marginalization, violence and racism. We will continue to work with community organizations and professionals who share this goal. We will continue to support research aimed at identifying ways in which marginalized and oppressed individuals and families can and do thrive.

We will continue sharing resources that foster anti-racism and elevate the voices and experiences of the oppressed. We will also share research that points to the effects of discrimination, racism and privilege, and provides suggestions for change. We will seek opportunities to partner and highlight the work of others who demonstrate a commitment to social and racial justice that includes dismantling systems of oppression and empowering and enabling opportunities for marginalized children, youth, and families to thrive. 

We hope you join us in this commitment.

Our work is aligned with the statement on social justice from our Family Studies & Human Development program. 

UPCOMING EVENT: ZERO TO THREE and Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC): Resources for Racial Justice on July 14, 2021 at 11 AM (MST)

Stop AAPI Hate National Report

Resources to Dismantle Racism Against the Asian American Community (NCFR)

COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Health Dispartities (CDC)

Three Ways to Teach the Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol (PBS Newshour)

Boston University Center for Antiracist Research 

158 Resources To Understand Racism in America (Smithsonian Magazine)

Racial Equity Toolkit: An Opportuntity to Operationalize Equity (Government Alliance on Race & Equity)

Becoming an Antiracist Society: Setting A Developmental Research Agenda - Webinar Event on 6/30 (Society for Research in Child Development)

Essential Equity Statements and Resources for Racial, Economic, and Social Justice (Foundation for Child Development)

Opprotunity in Tucson (Center for Economic Integrity & Jim Kiser) 

How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids About Race (NPR)

Resources to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being Amid Anti-Black Racism, Racial Violence, and Trauma (Child Trends)

How to Use Children's Books to Talk About Race and Racism (PBS)

How to Talk Honestly With Children About Racism (PBS)

13 Children's Books About Race and Diversity (PBS for Parents)

CNN and 'Sesame Street' To Host a Town Hall Addressing Racism (PBS/CNN)