Consistent with our anti-discrimination policy, AYSO and our Clubs (AYSO United, Matrix and Challenge) stand in solidarity with the black community and denounce any form of racism and prejudice. We know that our black communities are hurting, and we will remain committed to being united in the fight for substantive change and the end of racial injustice. To help provide perspective and ideas, we have compiled a list of educational resources below to help you start the conversation and understand how you can be part of the change.
As AYSO’s most important philosophy is Everyone Plays®, we invite you to join AYSO in the message of LISTENING, UNDERSTANDING and RESPECTING. To that point, please share any other educational materials that you believe would add to this very important conversation to help bring about change, and hopefully, eliminate racism and discrimination of every kind, including religious, gender and disability discrimination.
This is not an exhaustive list but a good place to start. Please send your additional resource suggestions to socialmedia@ayso.org.
Resources/Education
- Creating the Space to Talk about Race in your School – National Education Association: http://neaedjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Talk-About-Race-in-the-Classroom.pdf
- Black Lives Matter resources and toolkits on topics such as conflict resolution and healing action: https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/
- PBS Segment on George Floyd: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/roxane-gay-anna-deavere-smith-and-tay-anderson-on-the-protests-hope-and-despair
- The Mission of the NAACP: https://www.naacp.org/about-us/
- What it means to be anti-racistThe history and meaning behind anti-racism and why it’s not enough to just be not racist. “The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” – Ijeoma Oluo
- How to be actively anti-racistNo one becomes “not racist,” we must strive to be anti-racist. Here are more resources to help you listen, learn, and take action.
- Anti-Racism Social Media AccountsDiversify your feed and point of view by following these accounts that are creating and sharing anti-racist content.
Educate Your Children
- Talk to your children about racism—they’re never too young!Resources to start the conversation with your kids and continue the education and understanding for them and your family
- Talking to your kids about race—Age-by-AgeWhat is developmentally appropriate to talk with your kids
- CNN Townhall with Sesame StreetStand Up to Racism with Elmo, Van Jones, and Erica Hill
- Talking Race with Young Children20-minute helpful podcast for parents with young kiddos
Actions to Take
- Things You Can Do For Racial Justice: Actionable steps you can do right now to help create opportunities for equity.
- Justice in JuneDaily schedule for the month of things to read, listen to, or watch in order to become better informed.
- Petitions to SignPetitions for racial justice.
