Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights

by Rob Sanders

“Don’t give up. Don’t give in.”

This dynamically illustrated book teaches children about the many ways in which people work to make changes in granting equal rights to all. Each word and image is chosen with such purpose that it need not use a lot of words to have a big impact on the reader. You and your family will feel inspired to find ways you can join the fight for equal rights.

Story Read aloud

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Talk About It

• On the very 1st page of this book are images that include the peace sign. Ask your child if they know what each of these signs stands for. Talk about the importance of recognizable symbols as way to express one’s beliefs.
• What does the book mean by assembleCome together as a group. More? How is this different than when you assembleCome together as a group. More at school for a presentation?
• What is an allyA person willing to speak up or simply stand next to someone else (or a group of people) when they are being treated unfairly. An ally is also committed to learning and understanding more in order to help create changes. More? Explain the importance of not just thinking something is wrong, but be willing to speak out or take action.
• Has your child ever heard of a boycottWhen people refuse to buy certain things, go to certain places, or do specific tasks in order to create changes in rules or actions that are hurting some people. More? Talk about how this strategy. has been used throughout history to create change. Some examples include the Montgomery Bus Boycott & the Delano Grape Boycott.
• Why do you think the author reminds us to not give up or give in? When we are fighting for change, do you think there will be people who disagree or want you to stop? Think about a change for the better that wouldn’t have happened if those pushing for it had just given up?
• Why is it important to have educating others as part of creating change? Parents, share your own thoughts and experiences with having had to learn more in order to become a better advocate and allyA person willing to speak up or simply stand next to someone else (or a group of people) when they are being treated unfairly. An ally is also committed to learning and understanding more in order to help create changes. More.
• The chalkboard says, “be fearless.” What do you think the author means? Talk about the inner strength and courageDoing something even when you know it will be hard. More it takes to speak out about things that aren’t right. Emphasize the importance of doing this even when no one else is joining you. Also speak about the rewards of confidence and feeling good about how you are contributing to the world.
• Ask your child if they know of examples in history where a lawsuit resulted in positive changes? Share the importance of using our legal system as a tool for systemic changes. Some examples include Brown vs Board of Education and Loving vs Virginia .
• Why does the author invite the reader to do things like inquire and invite? Talk about the fact that it is always important to be willing to listen, learn, and understand as well as find a way to welcome others to do the same.
• Does your child know why the woman is knitting a hat? Talk about how the hat was created to resemble a woman’s genitals or private parts. This was part of a movementA group of people acting as one because of a shared belief. More to stand up for the women’s rightsWork done to make sure that women have the same freedoms and opportunities as men. More after Donald Trump was elected president. It’s important to explain that the hat is no longer used because it doesn’t represent the full spectrum of women, including transgenderWhen someone feels that the gender (male or female) given to them at birth does not match who they really are.  For example when someone is born and assigned the gender of being a girl but grows to understand and identify as male. More women, gender nonbinary people, and people of color. Ask your child what ideas they have for more inclusive symbols that could be used as part of a campaign to fight for equal rights for all women.
• Who is the man kneeling? What does your child know about Colin Kaepernick and other athletes who are engaging in this form of peaceful protest? Do you think people should be able to engage in this form of self-expression of their beliefs? Explain how the first amendmentPart of the United States Bill of Rights (an important document in United State's history) that says all people should be able to speak up if they are unhappy about something (freedom of speech); have their own beliefs about God (freedom of religion); come together in groups for things like protests (freedom of assembly); have things like newspapers that can print factual information and share peoples ideas and feelings (freedom of the press); and be able to ask the government to make changes to rules and laws (the right to petition). More grants people this right.
• Talk about the images related to the Civil RightsA group of rights (things promised to you) that protect people's ability to live life within a larger group (usually a country) without being treated unfairly because of things like skin color, gender, physical limitations, or religion. Civil rights include protecting people's physical and emotional safety. More MovementA group of people acting as one because of a shared belief. More. What does your child recognize? Which images do they have questions about? Explain the importance of this movementA group of people acting as one because of a shared belief. More for ending formal segregationSeparating one group of people from another; often based upon race. Segregation happens when a society views one group of people as better than another. The goal is to keep the "lesser" people away from the "superior" group. This is often done by treating the other group poorly and denying them basic civil rights. More; however, inequalities for Black Americans did not stop here. Be honest about the ways in which our country has continued to treat its Black citizens differently, including discriminationWhen someone is treated unfairly or differently because they belong to a particular group. For example race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. More in schools, jobs, and law enforcement. Comment on how those choices benefit White citizens. How does hearing about this make your child feel? What do they believe are some changes needed?
• What might the author mean by telling readers to, “turn up the volume?” Talk about how this can be as simple as speaking up about what you believe or as big as going to a protest or making a donation. Talk about large efforts that have happened in our lifetime including USA for Africa or Broadway for Black Lives Matter.
• The author mentions voting as a way to peacefully protest. Ask your child why they think voting is so important? Ask if they think all citizens 18+ have equal access to voting? Introduce the concept of voter suppression. Follow up by talking about if your child thinks this is right or how it makes them feel to learn that this is happening right now all over the country.
• What does it mean to be zealousShowing strong emotions and support towards a cause or activity. More? What examples of zealousness related to peacefully fighting for change come to mind?

Explore More

• This book is full of examples of symbols and slogans used in various forms of peaceful protests and movements for changes. Spend time learning more about them. For example, watch a video on the history of the peace symbol or Black Lives Matter.
• Have your child draw a peace symbol and come up with their own slogan to go with it. Or work as a family to come up a with a new symbol in the fight for equal rights. Share it with others, post it in your window, etc.
• The book introduces the idea of being an allyA person willing to speak up or simply stand next to someone else (or a group of people) when they are being treated unfairly. An ally is also committed to learning and understanding more in order to help create changes. More. Brainstorm words and actions your child can implement when they witness racismThe belief that a person's personality, behavior, & values is based solely upon their race. It is also the belief that one group of people are better than another. More in action. Take time to role play these scenarios in order to strengthen your child’s confidence in using them when faced with real-life situations.
• Spend time researching and learning about lesser known court cases that shaped American history. Talk about them and whether they still seem like a good idea or need to be revised.
• Take the words from the book, “Be fearless. Be hope.” and turn them into a poster or coloring page you can share with others.
• Take time to learn more about the Civil RightsA group of rights (things promised to you) that protect people's ability to live life within a larger group (usually a country) without being treated unfairly because of things like skin color, gender, physical limitations, or religion. Civil rights include protecting people's physical and emotional safety. More MovementA group of people acting as one because of a shared belief. More in order to help your child understand its significance. You will find dozens of informative videos on YouTube.
• Introduce your child to some of the music generated to raise money and awareness for good causes. Some examples include We Are the World and America, America. Put together you own play list of songs in support of the fight for equal rights. Here’s a playlist for social justice champions to get you started.
• Think through all of the ideas in the book for how to be zealousShowing strong emotions and support towards a cause or activity. More in speaking out. Decide as a family on a few ways you can take action. This can be as small as writing a letter or creating a song or as big as organizing an education and benefit concert featuring local performers. Put dates on the calendar for following through on each one of your ideas. See if you can get friends or family to join you.