'Let’s talk about race': London Public Library celebrates diversity, one kit at a time
The London Public Library (LPL) is celebrating International Day for the Elimination of Racism by launching “Let’s Talk about Race” kits.
Each kit includes age appropriate picture books, helpful information, and toys that parents and educators can use with children as part of learning about racial differences.
LPL’s Programming and Outreach Services Supervisor Olivia Stedman said she wishes she had kits like this when her kids were young.
“They would ask a lot of questions about diversity in their classroom. Why is someone’s skin darker? Why does someone wear something different? And I didn’t have those answers available, I did not grow up in a diverse community so I had to find those answers,” explained Stedman.
LPL said the project has been under development for two years. A lot of work has gone into curating the kits to represent the community and introduce diversity to children at an early age.
“We’ve tried to cover authors that have lived experience, which is extremely important. I am not explaining someone else’s story, it’s them speaking of their experience,” added Stedman.
For Lana Winchester-Tucker, the supervisor of the Masonville library branch, the topic of race is a personal one.
She was born in Trinidad and Tobago and came to Canada in 2007 to pursue a graduate study degree at Western University. She said coming to London, it was readily apparent that she had a different skin colour, something that was a big adjustment.
“We are trying to teach it is not okay to be colour blind, because children see colour, and thinking that they don’t can be faulty and can give sense of speaking about this is forbidden,” explained Winchester-Tucker.
LPL said the initiative was fully funded by donor dollars and stressed the importance and need to expand these kits and branch out into different diversity topics.
“Children are visual learners, they go by what they see. Sometimes they might not understand it, and they might come to you as a parent or teacher or caregiver to find out what am I seeing and help me understand it,” added Winchester-Tucker.
The library has 68 kits that can be checked out for three weeks.
Educators are encouraged to reach out to the library to borrow the kits or bring students in for class visits.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.