guest blog post: how do i talk to and support kids/young people through anti-racism conversations?

A little over a year ago, the world lost Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in the beginning stretch of a global pandemic when the news was something more people were dialed into potentially more than ever. Two names added to the senseless list of Black people murdered at the hands, and knees, of police. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide took to the streets in protest of police brutality, anti-Blackness, and racism. During the resurgence of Black Lives Matter protests in response to the loss of two more lives, many parents and educators began considering or reconsidering how to discuss and process what was happening with the children in their lives. 

Developmentally appropriate are the words that keep returning to me surrounding conversations about how to talk to the young people in your life. Infants can perceive own-race and other-race faces at as young as three months, meaning that by the time children acquire verbal language they can distinguish racial differences around them. There is not too young of a time to teach children about anti-racism and the impact of race on the lives of themselves and others – no matter what race or ethnicity you and your children/the children you interact with are. 

There may be times where you as the adult may be at a loss for words on how to speak on certain events or may be too impacted by the news to provide the space for your children or the little ones in your life. Take note of that and wait until you are regulated and can be present. The conversations you have will become the blueprint for these little people for future understandings and conversations about race and antiracism. To relieve the pressure, I may have just placed on you with that last sentence: the great thing about blueprints is that they can be revised – you don’t have to get it impeccably wonderful every time! 

These teachings and conversations may look differently with each child, with every age, and differ family to family/ classroom to classroom – that’s okay. Find what works for you. Quiet space before bed to add in an antiracism book? Dinner time discussion? YouTube video or movie night? Book club? Podcast? Conversation on the drive home from the store following a racist interaction you viewed? All of these work – the point is to include time in your home or classroom! 

Need some help knowing where to start for yourself or your kids? Check out these resources and ideas! 

Antiracist Baby Board Book by Ibram X. Kendi

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o

IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi, illustrations by Ashley Seil Smit

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas (novel and movie) 

Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special with Alicia Keys (YouTube)

Nice White Parents (podcast)

Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (Netflix) 

PBS KIDS talk about: Race & Racism 

Raising Race Conscious Children  - 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say To Your Child To Advance Racial Justice.

Bonus idea: celebrate Juneteenth! The week of Juneteenth (starting on June 13th) the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle (NAAM) is hosting virtual events every day of the week to participate in – youth night is June 17th. Check local neighborhood guides for even more local events!  

Remember it is okay to be learning alongside the little ones as you go. Antiracism is an ongoing learning experience; your little people can know you don’t have all the answers to questions they may ask as they navigate these talks and experiences: it’s okay to let them know that. It’s okay to revisit the conversations you have previously “hey I learned something new since we last talked, can I share it with you right now?”. It’s important to check-in with our children as well before diving into these conversations. They may not be the most receptive after a lost basketball game or after a test or early in the morning – be mindful of their capacity as well.