The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and recent tragedies, along with the latest news and media, have had a huge impact on the conversations we are having at home with our children. For a lot of parents, they are reaching out online and to other parents for advice, to learn about the movement and how to approach these conversations with their children. Here’s how to discuss with children discrimination, particularly racism and some resources to help.
Learn the Facts Yourself
Children are naturally inquisitive and it’s good to be prepared with the answers. Educating yourself on black history is the best place to start. Here are some good resources to get started with:
Books
Understanding the nitty gritty
Race for Profit by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Essential Watching
Becoming by Michelle Obama Netflix documentary
13th, the Netflix documentary on racial injustice of the justice system
Who to ‘Follow’
Ibram X. Kendi (author of ‘How to be an Antiracist)
Charlene Carruthers (founder of Black Youth Project 100)
It’s also important to not answer falsely. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say, ‘I don’t know, let’s find out’ and demonstrate a willingness to learn and get it right with your children!
Initiate Conversations with Your Children
It’s important to talk about this! For many black and ethnic minority groups, because of the inequality in the world, they have to have anti-racist conversations very early on. They will teach their children of the inequality they will face, sometimes the abuse they will experience and how to behave and handle it to ensure they stay safe. So, if they can handle those conversations, you can handle these conversations!
Here are some helpful resources for how to initiate and have these conversations:
Mentally Healthy Schools’ Guide
Books and Film to Aid Anti-Racist Learning for Kids
It’s not enough just to have the conversations once and then forget about the movement. It’s crucial to keep feeding media to your children, to get them to continue thinking about racism and how to combat it and be an ally.
Books
A is for Activist by Imnosanto Nagara
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Baby Says by John Steptoe
Fruits by Valerie Bloom
Daddy Calls Me Man by Angela Johnson
Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim
So Much by Trish Cooke
The Mega Magic Hair Swap by Rochelle Humes
Film/Documentary
Newsround – Growing up in Black America
Horrible Histories – Rosa Parks
It’s also worth following The Tiny Activist on Instagram to continue to see a highlight reel of anti-racist resources!
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