The Lafayette Reading to End Racism (RER) program provides engaging and age-appropriate forums for youth to explore racism.
It gives elementary and middle school students an opportunity to listen to literature, personal stories and insights regarding racism, and to openly an honestly discuss racism.
During sessions students are encouraged to come up with their own ideas to help eliminate racism.
Classroom presentations are led by volunteers who are concerned with racism. They may be artists, elected officials, police officers, board members, parents, high school students and other community members.
By the 2006-‘07 academic year over 12,000 middle and elementary students had participated in RER. The results of computed evaluations were extremely encouraging. Over 50% of the students responded “4” or “5” out of a possible 5 that they had an increased understanding of racism. Over 50% of participating students responded “4” or “5” out of a possible 5 that they would intervene when they heard racist comments.
Reading to End Racism is a local
collaborative effort involving the Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom, the Boulder Public Library’s Outreach Program,
Boulder Valley School District Office of Institutional Equity and
Multi-cultural Education, the Center for Diverse Communities and Native
American Rights Fund.
