HOW TO TALK TO KIDS

One of the most meaningful ways we can start to create change surrounding racism, equality, and inclusion is by opening up the conversation with our own children at home. But if you’re unsure of how to get started, we asked MAED founder and mom of two Denise Vasi for her tips on speaking to kids about race.

HOW CAN PARENTS BEST APPROACH THE SUBJECTS OF RACE AND RACISM WITH THEIR KIDS?

There’s not one right way to do it, but I would say, you don’t need to over-complicate it. Keep what it is you want to say honest and straight to the point. If the conversation is hard for you to have, share that with your children. Listen more than you speak, and if you don’t have an answer for admit that and revisit their question later. 5 M I N I 6 s u m m e r ‘20 WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO GET ACROSS IN THIS CONVERSATION?

one of their follow-up questions, it’s okay to The facts. Teach them about melanin in skin, about Black history, explain to your children that Black people and POC are treated differently, acknowledge white privilege. The more openly you discuss race and skin color, the easier it will be for your children to identify bias and prejudice.

HOW ARE YOU SPEAKING TO YOUR OWN KIDS ABOUT RACE? We are having really open conversations.

We want to be sure we are [our daughter’s] first influence when it comes to her understanding race, racial identity, and racial discrimination. I’ve taken her to a student protest, we’ve been using the map to identify where her ancestors were from, and we’ve discussed that not all police officers are good people.

HOW CAN PARENTS BE ACTIVELY ANTI-RACIST WHEN RAISING THEIR KIDS? Talk about race explicitly. I know for some parents, there’s this fear that a discussion about race will perpetuate racism, but it won’t. There is, of course, a way to do this for each age group and conversations don’t have to be complicated, but you must talk about skin color and racism. You must talk about Black lives mattering and you must talk about white privilege! These conversations might at first feel difficult to tackle, but once you’re there facing your own uncomfortability, I think you’ll find they are easier to have than not. T each your children about racial and cultural identity. Remember children aren’t colorblind, so encourage them to appreciate everyone’s uniqueness and what makes us different: our skin color, our hair, the shapes of our eyes, noses, or lips. Teach them about history, slavery, and systemic oppression. C urate diverse entertainment for them to enjoy. Whether it’s in books, shows, or movies. Be sure they feature diverse characters— and not only the best friend characters. Msure your children are watching and reading stories about Black and Brown main characters. Encourage cross racial friendships. You can’t force your child to become friends with someone, but you can put them in diverse environments so that relationships happen organically. If you live in a predominately white neighborhood and your child goes to a predominately white school, frequenting a park in a more diverse neighborhood is a great way to organically encourage cross racial friendships. O bviously, role modeling is one of the most important ways parents can actively raise anti-racist children, but just remember that’s not enough.

WHAT RESOURCES ARE HELPFUL FOR PARENTS STARTING THE CONVERSATION WITH THEIR KIDS? We have a great list of children’s books on MAED. Watch documentaries like White Like Me and 13th. Read books like How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum. Follow @the consciouskid and @dr.annlouise lockhart on Instagram.

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