Did you know?
Racism is learned.
Via a CNN interview with Sarah Gaither, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University
how do we know that racism is learned?
how does racism impact Black children in schools?
if you don’t think it shows up in the classroom, you need to consider quickly getting your head out of your ass.
Randi Bryant made a statement featured on @theconsciouskid called “Dear Teachers Who Teach My Black Child:” writing about how hard it is for a Black child in a school environment today, saying: “Black parents don’t just worry about curriculum when we send our children to school every weekday morning. We honestly worry about you, as their teachers. If you are open to listening, here a few things that I think most parents of Black children would love for you to hear and understand.”
Click through the slideshow below to learn about what parents of Black children wish their kids’ teachers knew:
Do we teach the history of racism in schools? what can teachers do about it?
Did you know? Social science and history classes are not required to in-depth teach about slavery and racism, so students end up coming out of public schools only knowing the half-truth. Many resources exist to change the agenda and influence school boards, so get to work!
becoming actively anti-racist
This series identifies the responsibilities of teachers and educators on the topic of racism and how to effectively change the narrative in the classroom.
blm at school
Watch the video above to learn about the BLM at School movement, their annual “Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action,” and their “Year of Purpose.”
NEA EDJustice
This group provides free, actionable resources about creating safe spaces to talk about racism in the classroom.
Thought 1: Intentionally (and accurately) include Black history in school curriculum
We can all acknowledge that the version of history that we learned in school was…. Selective.
We learned about white political figures, celebrated white holidays, and access to school resources was lopsided.
Take for instance this statement from Nikita Stewart —>
What we learn from the excerpt above, is that slavery is NOT required to be included in historical timelines, thus it is not considered as essential part of curriculum.
Because of this, we get end up treating slavery as just a “dot on a timeline,” rather than teaching children about the fact that the popular faces like Benjamin Franklin, Ulysses S. Grant, and George Washington.
Hasan Kwame Jeffries, associate professor of history at the Ohio State University and chair of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Hard History advisory board, puts it bluntly, saying —>
So the way we teach history in schools isn’t accurate?
We tell stories of Southerners being caught up in the cotton business and extensively learn about the history of the cotton plant, but we often miss details like this one from Stewart’s article —>
While we aren’t advocating for teaching 2nd graders about rape, we do know that a more accurate, less glamorized, more representative image of the past needs to be acknowledged.
Check out this graphic designed by @nina.draws.scientists to learn about some of the Black women who should be included in educational curriculum.
Thought 2: Identify all of the ways racism manifest in the education system, and work to eradicate them.
Much like an iceberg, all of the implications of racism are not in your face.
(Ever hear of a microaggression?)
Kevin O'Neal Cokley, Professor of Educational Psychology and African and African Diaspora Studies, University of Texas at Austin wrote about the excessive discipline Black students receive in schools, noting how unfair it was:
On top of more disciplinary issues, Black children and other minorities are excluded from programs that are designed for “gifted” students.
This is the result of a bunch of things, including the fact that white teachers more actively identify gifted white students. Nadra Kareem Niddle writes about this, saying —>
Nadra Kareem Nittle goes on to identify the psychological impacts these circumstances have on Black children, including discrimination they face and trauma they have due to their appearances:
“Students of color face racial microaggressions in schools as well, such as being criticized by teachers and administrators for wearing their hair in styles that reflect their cultural heritage. Both black students and Native American students have been reprimanded in schools for wearing their hair in its natural state or in braided styles.”
Let’s not forget about how the school system makes tokens out of Black children, especially during times like Black History Month or Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Akilah Obviously made a satirical video to highlight what it’s like to be a Black child, the toll it takes, and how it feels for them.
as a parent, is it possible to talk to my kids about racism everyday?
We’ve done a bunch of the legwork for you and recommend that you reference the following resources when prepping to talk to your kids about racism.
Read Books with Black Characters
“Each winter (either January or February), the Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. “
Nickelodeon Kids
Plenty of resources already exist for you to be able to use, and it’s going to take some effort on your part. Nickelodeon Kids is a good place to start.
The popular children’s channel has created multiple resources for parents who need help having conversations about racism with their kids.
Learn and Teach the Truth
The New York Times produced a series called “1619,” a collection of essays, podcasts, and photo journals.
“The 1619 Project is an ongoing initiative from The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. It aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
Embracerace.org gives us a 4 step formula:
Start early. The earlier, the better.
Let your children see you do your own work.
Learn about others and about yourself.
Raise a changemaker.
Educate and Grow from Within
This weekly podcast features Black centered voices that can help you as a parent unlearn racist behaviors and help conversations with your children.
“Fare of the Free Child is a weekly-published podcast community centering Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color in liberatory living and learning practices. With a particular interest in unschooling and the Self-Directed Education movement, Akilah S. Richards and guests discuss the fears and the fares (costs) of raising free black and brown children in a world that tends to diminish, dehumanize, and disappear them.”
watch these videos
These videos showcase how you can talk about systemic racism with your kids in an approachable way (and we’re pretty sure you could use them to explain these topics to adults, too)
action items:
Join a school board meeting to address the topic of systemic racism and racial inequalities in the classroom
Prepare for the meeting by reviewing these action plans- get inspired and lead the charge against systemic racism:
Loudon County Public Schools put together this action plan
Ohio alumnae called out their public school districts by putting together a petition for change
Learn about Cincinnati’s anti-racism draft proposal here
Read this story about a board member who opposed the removal of police from schools, basing the argument on race
Use this guidebook to help in the creation of your action plans
