Families with anti-bias values support children to build positive social identities, embrace differences, and form connections. Despite diverse challenges, they share one question: What kind of world do we want to create with our children?
Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values is a 50-minute documentary about families who intentionally parent with an anti-bias lens, exploring their hopes, fears, strengths, challenges, and the pivotal question: What kind of world do we want to create with our children? The film depicts these families in their everyday experiences at home, in their communities, and in schools. Each family has their own vision for social justice based on their unique identities, histories, experiences and context. They help their children develop positive social identities, express comfort and joy with human differences, and form deep, caring connections.
In the current political context, there is pushback against diversity and equity efforts across the country, which prohibits discussing race/LGBTQIA+ issues in schools under the guise of "parental rights." This film provides a counter-narrative, showing families who advocate for their children and all children in the quest to build fair and just communities.
Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values (2024) is a companion to Reflecting on Anti-Bias Education in Action: The Early Years (2021), which received the Silver Prize for Documentary Feature at the Social Justice Film Festival (2021) and a Northwest Regional Emmy® nomination for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2022).
Produced by Debbie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo, and directed by Filiz Efe McKinney of Brave Sprout Productions, the film is funded by a grant from the Tyler Rigg Foundation with support from Portland State University. The film is available for streaming at antibiasleadersece.com with options for English, Spanish, and Chinese captions.
Director's Statement
I believe that to truly feel seen, we need to actively participate in creating a world that reflects both our unique identities and our shared humanity. This involves building safe spaces where we can grow without fear, both as individuals and as part of a collective. In these environments, something transformative happens: we begin to connect on a deeper emotional level, and a simple, universal message resonates—‘I’ve got you.’ It’s a promise of support and understanding, a reminder that we are not alone and that we are truly seen in our shared journey.
In my native Turkish, we have a saying: gönül teline dokunmak, which means ‘touching the heartstrings.’ Just as a gentle touch can stir the strings of an instrument to life, my goal as a filmmaker is to evoke empathy and spark meaningful dialogue, helping us see and be seen in the truest way possible. Filmmaking allows me to put my heart out there, form deep and far-reaching connections, and participate in a greater discussion where we learn from one another and shape the culture we create together.
In the film, families with anti-bias values embrace positive social identities, respect and affirm differences, and take a stand against unfairness. While facing diverse challenges, these families are united by one central question: ‘What kind of world do we want to create with our children?’ Gabrielle, a participant in the film, shares, ‘When you surround your child with a supportive community, there are so many different ways for them to be reflected back to themselves. And in turn, when they have that confident sense of self, we hope that they’re able to give that to other people.’
Directing Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values has been a time of personal growth as I’ve embraced my own anti-bias journey. I’ve been inspired by the courage and openness of the participant families while connecting with them through our shared intersectional experiences and vision. I hope the film touches the heartstrings of many others, helping them feel truly seen, and that it inspires us all to build a fair and compassionate world where everyone is valued, cared for, and encouraged to lift up those around them.
Filiz Efe McKinney / Brave Sprout
