Looking to go deeper? This is your space to explore and share with others what you’re learning. We’ve curated book lists from the Johnson County Library staff members that explore race relations from multiple perspectives and for readers of all ages. You’ll also find links to organizations—both local and national—whose work inspires and informs RPKC and the events we create.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Brown V. Board Toolkit - This activity is designed for classroom, individual, or community use and is rooted in our mission to honor history and community-centered education.
Culturally Responsive Teaching Toolkit - Culturally Responsive Teaching is an approach that honors students’ identities, experiences, and cultural backgrounds as assets in the classroom.
Culturally Responsive Practices Video - This video corresponds with the toolkit resource and supports this learning opportunity. As an additional note, you will see the acronym CRT (culturally responsive teaching) in the video. This acronym refers to practices related to cultural responsiveness in teaching and leading, and is not related to critical race theory. *
BROWN V. BOARD BOOK LIST
Brown v. Board: Exploring the History of School Desegregation - A diverse collection of resources and perspectives on the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that sparked the nation’s long and often turbulent journey toward school desegregation.
The Legacy of Brown v. Board and Integration in America - The 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision struck down the “separate but equal” doctrine, declaring school segregation unconstitutional. What followed were gradual desegregation efforts across the nation. The resources on this list explore both the progress made and the persistent gaps that remain in today’s educational landscape.
Brown v. Board Once Removed: Examining Related Factors - A broad collection of resources and perspectives on desegregation and racial dynamics in education that expand on and complement the legacy of the 1954 Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision.
REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation - The award-winning exhibit by the Johnson County Museum about the history of racially-motivated real estate and government practices in Johnson County has moved online. In addition to the extensive information included in the exhibit, there are educator resources, further reading recommendations, and other ways to extend the experience.
"Reckoning with Racism in Johnson County" - A three-part series by the Shawnee Mission Post that delves into the racial landscape of Johnson County. (A JoCoLibrary card allows access to these links.) Part 1: A History of Exclusion - A look at the historical factors that created our current situation. Part 2: An Attempt to Integrate - Some of the activists and historical figures who worked to change the county's racial make-up. Part 3: An Enduring Struggle - Current efforts to address past wrongs and create a more equitable environment.
We Are Wyandotte - Home of the H.E.A.T. Report that uncovers health inequities based on place of residence in Wyandotte County, with connections to historical redlining practices, a video series, related comics, and more.
Housing Segregation and the Birth of Johnson County - A short article and video from United Community Services (UCS) of Johnson County about past and current segregation and its impacts on health equity. Includes links to sources and resources for delving deeper.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art School Tours - Designed for students from preschool through college, school tours are interactive gallery experiences led by skilled docents offering learner-centered activities and open-ended discussion inspired by works of art.
Literacy KC's Adventure App - Explore 30 landmarks of Black History in Kansas City, either in-person or virtually. Prominent members of Kansas City's Black community (including a few celebrity cameos) narrate the history of each stop. After the audio, each location has a short trivia game to earn points. Post a selfie to the Selfie Wall to earn even more points! For Android and for Apple.
2019 State of Black Kansas City - Urban Education: Still Separate and Unequal - From the Urban League of Greater Kansas City. "Provides an in-depth look into the prevailing issues that undergird the socioeconomic gaps between blacks and whites in Greater Kansas City. In addition to a special collection of essays and op-eds that spotlight urban education issues, this report includes the Black/White and Hispanic/White Equality Indexes. The equality indices were created to capture empirical evidence of African-American and Latinx progress in economics, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement."
Structural Racism: A Maynard Institute Case Study by Brenda Payton - This report is designed as a tool for journalists and researchers. It includes links to more than 260 studies that, since 2010, have found racial disparities in all aspects of American society. Most of the sections include examples of institutions and initiatives working to solve the problem. The resources are grouped by topic: Structural Racism, COVID-19, Criminal Justice, Police, Disenfranchisement, Education, School Discipline, Teachers and Racial Disparity, Employment, Health, Environmental Racial Disparities, Healthy Food, Housing, Lending, Banking, and Wealth.
Redlining and Neighborhood Health - This project from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition offers side-by-side maps of over 140 U.S. cities, comparing redlining designations from the 1930s to current health outcomes. The interactive maps allow visitors to see how neighborhoods defined by federal policy in the past suffer today not only from reduced wealth and greater poverty, but from lower life expectancy and higher incidence of chronic diseases that are risk factors for poor outcomes from COVID-19.
