search-1 Social Justice Arrow Expand icon TERMS & DEFINITIONS: THE POWER OF WORDS Accordion Expand icon Understand the power of words (click plus sign to expand) UNDERSTANDING RACISM & SOCIAL JUSTICE It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences. Audre Lorde There is no such thing as race. None. There is just a human race -- scientifically, anthropologically. Racism is a construct, a social construct... it has a social function, racism. Toni Morrison BOOKS The Autobiography of An Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson The Forging of a Black Community: Seattle’s Central District from 1870 Through the Civil Rights Era by Quintard Taylor The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein Women, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color by Andrea J. Ritchie How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth Century America by Ira Katznelson Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates ARTICLES Civil Rights and Baseball: A Comparative History 1619 Project: New York Times America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us by Adam Serwer | Atlantic (May 8, 2020) Who Gets to Be Afraid in America? by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020) White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge, by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar LISTEN 1619 (New York Times) About Race Code Switch (NPR) “Yo Is This Racist” Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast Diversity Gap WATCH 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S. King In The Wilderness (Peter Kunhardt) — HBO See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Stanley Nelson, Jr.) — Available to rent The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Available to rent for free When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix Hidden Figures (Theodore Melfi) — Available to rent DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE READ Diversity in the Workplace by Bärí A. Williams Blind Spot by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do by Jennifer Eberhardt Courageous Conversations about Race by Glenn E. Singleton The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo The Diversity Training Activity Book: 50 Activities for Promoting Communication and Understanding at Work by Jonamay Lambert and Selma Myers LISTEN How to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace Color blind or Color brave How to Get Serious About Diversity & Inclusion Inclusion in the Workplace Speaking Up on Racism in the Workplace WATCH 5 Tips For Being An Ally Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality ... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. Martin Luther King, Jr. I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse and the knowledge that any mistakes I made would be magnified because I was the only black man out there … I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect. Jackie Robinson ALLYSHIP & ADVOCACY SUPPORTING YOUR BLACK COLLEAGUES Ask your colleagues how they would like to be supported. Don’t ask your Black colleagues to explain complex racial issues to you. Listen and acknowledge their feelings. Hold your peers and managers accountable and report any instances of racism, however big or small they may seem to you. Mentor: Identify talent within teams and support them with the knowledge and opportunity to succeed. Speak out, because silence is not allyship. Empower and support Employee/Business Resource Groups. Donate to causes that further education and take action to end racism. Read -- seek out books to educate yourself about the history of systemic racism across the world. OTHER RESOURCES Business Resource Groups Business Resource Groups are company sanctioned, employee-led affinity groups built around a specific dimension of diversity or characteristics designed to leverage diversity to enhance business objectives and goals. Major League Baseball’s Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are open to all employees who support the group's mission - regardless of their race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, gender identity, military veteran status, or sexual orientation. All MLB employees are encouraged to join and become allies for all Business Resource Groups. READ From White Racist to White Anti-Racist: The Life-Long Journey by Tema Okun What Motivates People from Dominant Groups to Support Social Justice by Diane J. Goodman and Lee Anne Bell Opportunities for White People in the Fight for Racial Justice edited by Jonathan Osler White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo The Costs of Racism to White People by Paul Kivel Waking up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race Anti-Racist Checklist for Whites by Robin DiAngelo Understanding White Privilege: Frances Kendall LISTEN White Fragility Podcast WATCH 5 Tips For Being An Ally by Franchesca Ramsey Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho People 100 years ago were terrified about the world that they were bringing their kids into, and it shouldn't be the same way 100 years later. Josh Bell SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS The organizations listed may or may not be partners of MLB or its Clubs. This is for informational purposes only. NAACP United Negro College Fund Color of Change National Coalition on Black Civic Participation National Action Network National Urban League Rainbow PUSH Data For Black Lives Movement for Black Lives - a coalition organization representing a collective of groups working to center and empower the Black community Your local Black Lives Matter Chapter The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls Southern Poverty Law Center Black Youth Project 100 Campaign Zero Center for Policing Equity The Sentencing Project Families against Mandatory Minimums A New Way of Life Dream Defenders CONVERSATION GUIDE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE In department/team meetings, staff calls, at the water cooler … the most “human” start to this conversation is always: “How are you?” “How is this impacting you?” Lead with empathy. Listen and acknowledge responses and feelings. Don’t attempt to walk in their shoes or “relate” to the issue but allow people to share. Always defer to commonalities of the shared human experience (emotions, family, safety), rather than try to understand or define racial nuances. For example: “I can’t possibly understand what you are feeling, but the loss of a father, brother, spouse, son, would be traumatic for anyone.” Understand there may be varying perspectives, bias and opinions and everyone may not be comfortable sharing. Reinforce the company’s policy on discrimination and harassment. Guidelines for having conversations about race: Have the conversation rather than avoiding it. Listen actively; hear fully before responding. Solicit input; ask what they think, “What did you think about that?” Honor “frames of reference” -- different perspectives and viewpoints. Seek to understand what others are thinking; before sharing your thoughts. People are more willing to hear from you when you hear them, first. Share your views as just that your views that may not be shared by others. Honor that. Respond with care, acceptance and compassion. You don’t have to agree; however, you do need to acknowledge and appreciate the person; no matter what. Nobody’s perfect -- you will not be perfect in what you say; and they will not be perfect in what they share. There is no right. Do the best you can. Everything does not need to be said -- it’s enough to create space for the conversation. Avoid teaching, preaching and the temptation to ‘correct’ others -- no one has the answers. Let go of agendas and expectations. Appreciate others’ viewpoints; say “thank you." Do your personal work. Get support to unpack your feelings and concerns at another time, so that you can better hear and support others. Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. Satchel Paige I believe our sorrow can make us a better country. I believe our righteous anger can be transformed into more justice and more peace. President Barack Obama TALKING TO CHILDREN Suggested Reading: Inclusive Books Guide - Anti-racist book recommendations for all ages which include discussion guides How to Talk to Kids About Race - Research-based best practices to promote positive racial identity development in children, support conversations about race and racism, and move from conversation to action Racial Literacy: Key Terms and Definitions How to be an Ally: 41 ways to show up in this work and take meaningful action towards racial justice now Guide for Selecting Anti-bias Children Books Tips: 1. Correct with care. Listen first, and gently correct facts; not thoughts or feelings. Provide developmentally appropriate information and offer other ways to look at things. For example: Question. Why do people protest and get violent? Response. Sometimes people express their feelings in negative ways. We all get angry at times, but we can choose to express our feelings in ways that help us understand each other better. And maybe solve some problems. 2. Use language children can identify with. Most children have heard about and understand the concept of bullying. They understand what it is, and maybe what it feels like to be mistreated. When discussing these concepts, focus on the behavior, its negative impact, and the desired behavior. An example might be: Behavior and Negative Impact: What if a friend was making fun of someone else? How do you think that person would feel? You might choose to do one of three things: Join in and make fun of them too. Sound like a good idea? No. Do nothing; or say nothing -- even though you’re feeling uncomfortable. What do you think? Not the best answer. (Desired Behavior) Say something in a way that respects your friend while letting them know you don’t agree with their behavior and that they should stop. We can talk with each other in a way that helps everyone. 3. Honor their ‘fill line.’ Adults can get caught up explaining and taking advantage of a teachable moment. Suddenly the child gets distracted; stares off; changes the subject or gets up and walks away. Like adults kids have a “fill line” -- a place they reach when they can’t take in any more information. Honor when they have heard enough. When they thirst for more, they will ask. 4. Be a role model by listening and responding positively to diversity and differences in a supportive and empathetic way. This can teach children positive attitudes and effective strategies. 5. Expand their perspectives of diversity and differences, all year round. Have conversations that help them view multicultural topics with an open mind–you might say, “This is a holiday that (___ ) families celebrate; that our family does not celebrate. I think it’s really fun to learn about other traditions!” 6. Celebrate similarities and differences. Ask them to think about friends and others they know, who are similar and different. Point out how our differences make each of us unique and special. 7. Talk about how important it is that all people feel good about themselves. Emphasize how scary it can be to feel like you are different from other people, and how brave it is to share things that are unique about yourself or your family. 8. Teach kids words they can say to make each other feel valued as they learn about and embrace differences: “That’s cool! I never knew that before!” “I like the way you do that.” “Can you tell me more about that?” 9. Have open conversations about stereotypes and biases. For example, as you say how great it is that there are many similarities and differences in our society -- point out that sometimes people treat other people badly or differently because of their looks, the color of their skin, their cultural beliefs, or their gender. Share that this is unfair and is not how people should treat one another. Additional Resources: These additional resources are being offered, not endorsed. Just as you monitor what children watch, what they listen to, and their use of the internet and social media activity; it’s critical to examine and choose resources you feel comfortable with. Choose the ones that are right for you and your family. Accordion Expand icon Click to view additional resources MLB EFFORTS ACTION This is not a moment, this is a movement. Major League Baseball is working on sustainable change. While there is specificity to the Black community across many of the strategies outlined below, there is, in many cases, alignment to already existing programs and initiatives that apply to those inclusive of and beyond the Black community. We will continue to update this section to provide real-time action steps being taken across our sport. Supporting Economic Development Fostering Community Connection Amplifying Voices League-Wide Pro Bono Program (to support Diverse Business Partners) Long-Term Charitable Investments Enhancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Diversity Pipeline Program Talent Development Inclusive and Anti-Racism HR policies YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL Throughout each year, Major League Baseball operates a wide range of Baseball & Softball Development initiatives to improve access to the game among diverse & under-served communities and foster advanced development within the youth and amateur levels of the sport. Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities MLB Youth Academies Breakthrough Series Hank Aaron Invitational Dream Series Elite Development Invitational Play Ball Jackie Robinson Training Complex More icon MLB Youth Baseball & Softball CLUB SITES MLB does not own the rights to this content. AAPI RESOURCES Organizations Asian American Federation: Established in 1989, AAF is the largest umbrella leadership organization in New York serving the AAPI community. Act To Change: National public awareness campaign launched in 2015. StopAAPIHate: National coalition that shares resources and tracks and responds to incidents of discrimination, violence, and hate crimes against AAPI in the US. NYC Human Rights: Task Force under the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Community Partners Network: National network of organizations serving AAPI. Resources Asian American Bar Association of New York’s report on a rising tide of hate and violence against Asian Americans in New York during COVID-19. Group Setting: Asian Solidarity Workshop, a safe space to workshop & heal from anti-Asian racism during Covid 19 (sign up by 3/19): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCR5dzzJAVmY4eU_IbGHux6TmUmDUkGimS0aFP30wNkPGwgw/viewform 1:1 Setting: Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American (APISAA) Therapist Directory https://www.asianmhc.org/apisaa Crisis Hotlines: The Crisisline: Call: 1-800-273-TALK, Asian Languages: 1-877-990-8585 Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741 The Trevor Project : Call: 1-866-488-7386 Online Chat: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ The Trans Lifeline: Call: 1-877-565-8860 With the increase in violence and hate crime attacks in the AAPI community, the Asian BRG and Home Base BRG wanted to provide resources for all adults who would like to speak to their children, younger siblings, extended family, and friends about anti-Asian racism: This Wednesday, 3/24 at 8:30pm ET A Conversation on How to Support Children Talking to Kids About Asian American Identity and Racism Op-Ed in NYT: I’m Helping My Korean-American Daughter Embrace Her Identity to Counter Racism Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race - Resource Roundup Resources For Talking About Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence With Kids Rebekah Gienapp’s Guide On Talking to Children on Anti-Asian Racism And Children’s Book Recommendations How to Talk About Violence to the Asian Community with your Child A Lesson On The Rise in Attacks on Asian Americans The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health Additional resources to share with educators of children: TED Talk: How to Address Anti-Asian Racism in Classrooms And Communities Addressing Inequities In Education With Considerations For Asian American Children And Youth Addressing Anti-Asian Racism Through Restorative Dialogue K-12 curricular resources Addressing Anti-Asian Bias OFFICIAL INFORMATION HELP/CONTACT US MORE MLB SITES & AFFILIATES CAREERS CONNECT WITH MLB Terms of Use Privacy Policy Legal Notices Contact Us Do Not Sell My Personal Data Cookie Settings © 2021 MLB Advanced Media, LP. 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