Diverse children’s books and films help fight racism and teach empathy

By Ilana Lowery

MEDIA PLAY a critical role in shaping how we understand and make sense of ourselves and the world around us. Media can also perpetuate stereotypes and bias, exacerbating injustice and inequities. That’s why careful media consumption is important, and why parents should find books and films for kids that play a positive role.

Valley resident Eric M. Bailey, author of “The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior,” says media that expose kids to diverse experiences, perspectives and characters can shape a child’s learning and their views on what is possible for themselves and others.

“Having representation in media matters, because our worldview is built on what we perceive, experience and learn. If we raise our children with a narrow worldview, they will adapt to it and expect that the world they live in will be exactly that way … leading to potential cognitive dissonance in adulthood,” explains Bailey, who is president of Bailey Strategic Innovation Group in Phoenix. “Our adaptable brains look at this and begin to expect that the whole of the world looks the way our immediate surroundings look. If we don’t experience racism or know someone who has [experienced it], we believe that it doesn’t exist in the world anymore.”

Dr. Tiffany Munzer, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, says people who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color) are historically underrepresented in TV shows and video games, preventing many kids from seeing themselves reflected in culture and on screen.

Munzer and the University of Michigan collaborated with Common Sense Media on a study that looked at racial representation and diversity in YouTube videos. YouTube garners more than 5 billion views every day and is one of the most popular apps used by young kids and families. But there was little data on what racial representation looks like in these popular videos.

Researchers watched 100 of the most-viewed Englishlanguage YouTube videos in the world for kids. They found the videos did not feature representative racial and ethnic diversity of people or characters in leading roles and lacked any dialogue around race and/or ethnicity. Forty-nine percent of videos showed no people of color, and only 26 percent showed a personof color in a major role. The quality of content around diversitywas also limited.

Munzer says when media lack authentic and positiverepresentation of diversity or discussion of race, “we missopportunities for all kids to develop a positive sense of self,” inwhich they feel a sense of belonging, value and acceptance by societyand can envision limitless potential in what they can achieve.

We know media can potentially play a hugely positive role,reducing bias and division. Books especially have a way ofsparking empathy, drawing readers into the lives of characterswho may be different from themselves — or different from othercharacters in the story. Kids and teens walk in others’ shoes asthese characters — or real-life kids — navigate the school bus,deal with bullying, fall in love, face physical or mental challengesor have fantastical adventures in another time or place.

Children’s book author and Valley resident Sam Baker saidhis second book, “Oscar,” was written because of the racialclimate at the time. “I wanted to present color and diversityissues in ways that little children could understand and relateto — that blended into the story — as though it was nothingnew,” said Baker, who is in his 90s. Bailey says parents needto intentionally seek out diversity in children’s media andchoose media that educate kids in essential human values suchas love, understanding, kindness and compassion. He alsourges families to discuss how diversity, equity and inclusionis portrayed, how stereotypes are perpetuated and how racialexperiences differ.

“We need to identify that the media that we share with ourchildren mean more than in-the-moment entertainment, butrather, it is helping them develop their world view,” Bailey says.“I do think that there may be an opportunity to use the toolof media to paint a more complex and complete picture of thepeople around us.”

Ilana Lowery is the Arizona director for Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology by empowering parents, teachers and policymakers. Reach her at ilowery@ commonsense.org.

Disney's Soul.

MOVIES and BOOKS that emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion

It’s a diverse world, and these videos and books reflect the view that we’re all in it together. Find more resources and recommendations at commonsensemedia.org

Movies for ages 8-10:

• “Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA” — Star Trek’s Nichols was instrumental in pushing NASA to hire women and minorities and helped recruit budding scientists to the space program.

• “Soul” — Disney and Pixar Animation Studios’ animated feature film introduces Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. One small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before — a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests.

• “Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams” — Filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki follows a coach and his team trying to win Japan’s national high school baseball championship and explores how this national obsession is intertwined with the struggle to raise the next generation.

• “Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” — This documentary delves into the career of Debbie Allen, her early struggles with self-esteem as a dancer in the ballet and modern dance industry and her drive to inspire children of color to pursue their dance dreams.

• “Finding ‘Ohana” — A summer in rural Oahu takes an exciting turn for two Brooklyn-raised siblings when a journal sets them on an adventure with new friends and reconnects them with their Hawaiian heritage.

• “Hidden Figures” — Three brilliant African-American women at NASA help launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit, helping America win the Space Race.

Movies for ages 13 and older:

• “The Most Dangerous Year” — This affecting documentary speaks up for trans kids.

• “Rocks” — A coming-of-age teen drama with diverse, positive female leads.

• “The Prom” — A star-studded, slightly edgy musical about acceptance.

Books for ages 8 and up:

• “The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond” — A sweet tale of a biracial girl in search of lost family.

• “New Kid” — This funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race and class.

• “Wishtree” — Red, a red oak who is “two hundred and sixteen rings old,” narrates this tale with themes of religious bigotry and environmentalism.

Books for ages 5-6 and older:

• “The Invisible Boy” — A simple act of kindness transforms an invisible boy into a friend.

• “Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability” — A young man shares his story with honesty and humor.

• “Princess Hair” — This picture book shines a spotlight on the beauty and diversity of black hair.

Books for ages 4 and older:

• “All Are Welcome” —This picture book offers a kind, uplifting story of inclusion and diversity at school.

• "From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea" — A picture book about gender, identity and acceptance.

• "Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment" — A girl finds an inspiring role model who looks like her.