Here’s how you can start the conversation about race with your kids.
We can no longer hide the fact that racism in America is real. Racism is a legacy of this country, woven into the fabric of its policies and social construct. As a Lifestyle Editor and black mother to two black children, I have to think and live with the consequences of inequality every day. But how do we teach kids about racism and protect them against it while preserving their innocence?
In my last post I shared that, “the question is not whether you are “not racist” but rather are you actively being “anti-racist”. But what does that look like? Well, the first step to being anti-racist is truly listening to the black and brown community and then acknowledging all of the ways that privilege has allowed you to ignore your biases. I want to note that I’m not asking you to deny your heritage, nor does saying “Black Lives Matter” take away the importance of other lives. What I am saying is you must meet people on common ground if you want to truly engage their challenges. Because you can’t truly engage someone’s challenges until you’ve engaged their humanity.
Real change starts at home: in our hearts, our actions, then in our policies. Change heavily depends on parents being willing to do the work at home to help improve race relations. It can be pretty difficult to explain the complex topic of racism to children. However, since values and beliefs are learned and not acquired at birth, it is extremely important to have intentional conversations with your kids. You want to start by acknowledging that there are different races and ethnicities. But doing so in a way that deconstructs automatic and implicit biases. In other words, teach awareness of different races and ethnicities while acknowledging and celebrating all the beautiful differences.
So where do you start as a parent — especially a white parent, wondering how you can raise your children to be anti-racist? Fortunately, there is no shortage of opportunities and resources to teach children about being anti-racist and diversity in our society.
Sesame Street has been helping parents handle these difficult conversations with our kids. The CNN and Sesame Street’s town hall on how to combat racism, shares a message with kids [and parents] about how to make a change. The town hall highlighted and answered some great questions to help you talk to your children about racism, protest, and how they can be allies. In one clip Elmo’s dad profoundly explains what racism and protests are.
You can actively work on diversity in your home by taking inventory of how diversity plays a role in the friendships you build, the toys you provide your kids to play with, and the books and characters your children engage with and read. You want to introduce other cultures to your children at an early age to reframe negative narratives into positive affirmations. Raising colorblind kids is no longer enough because that’s just telling your children, not to acknowledge other’s heritage. Instead, you want to celebrate differences. A great place to start is the list of children’s books below that will help you educate and engage in healthy discussions about race, diversity, equality, and social justice at home.
Books To Teach Your Kids Diversity
- Hair Love
- Anti-Racist Baby
- Daddy’s Arms
- We’re Different, We’re The Same
- One Love
- Teach Your Dragon Diversity
- I Am Enough
- Little Leaders
- Sulwe
- The World Needs More Purple People
SHOP MORE BOOK TO TEACH KIDS DIVERSITY
