I started the summer with the intention of focusing on some academics with the kids, but we've taken a turn to focusing less on academics and more on learning about race, racism, and anti-racism. We have always learned about these topics as a family, but we're doing so now more than ever before.
My oldest tween and I brainstormed on what we could do since we're still in quarantine. How can we be supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement in our own home? How can we further our racial education?
I strongly believe it starts with the adults in the household. After all, we can't give what we don't have. We can't teach what we don't know. We can't lead when we don't understand. Adults, check out my top recommended anti-racism books here. Get to work!
Here are some activities you can do with your kids to teach them about race, anti-racism, and racial justice.
1: Read anti-racism children's books together and then illustrate.
Help kids visualize what they've learned after reading anti-racist children's books. Use paint, crayons, markers, posterboard, paper--whatever you have!
2: Use toys to send messages of anti-racism.
My tween used her Lego to create a Black Lives Matter protest. My other tween used her superhero dolls to protest. Help kids dig into their own worlds and proclaim that racism isn't OK.
3: Create posters to display.
Our kids have created a couple of posters. The first was a Black Lives Matter poster with the names of all the Black people in our lives (including themselves) on it. The second poster was Bible verses that remind us to fight for justice for all. The third was for the front windows of our house--where those who came to the front door (like delivery drivers) would see.
4: Learn by topic.
It can be overwhelming to tackle "racism" as a whole. Create themes that you focus on, one week at at time. For example, one theme might be Juneteenth. Another theme might be a person: past or present. Use your child's interests to help you. If your child likes gymnastics, learn about Simone Biles (who, by the way, is also an adoptee). If your child likes music, research music artists in the genre your child enjoys. Don't focus on just the hardships. There's so much Black Excellence out there! Here's our list of recommended children's books that combine race and faith, for example.
5: Watch movies.
Books are amazing, but movies can be, too. They can have a powerful, long-lasting impact on children. There are so many great movies on the streaming services. Check out Ruby Bridges or The Color of Friendship or Remember the Titans on Disney+, for example. Be sure to watch movies (and shows) where Black people are the protagonists, not the stereotyped sidekicks or villains. Shows like KC Undercover and movies like Spiderman Into the Spiderverse can teach children that Black kids can be the superhero/star.
6: Support Black-owned businesses.
Buy tees from a Black-owned business and wear them. We don't go out much at all right now (hello, pandemic), but when we do, it's for medical appointments or groceries. We wear our tees proudly! They are a powerful way to send messages to those who see them. There are so many Black-owned companies to choose from!
7: Use music, sports, art, etc. to be anti-racist.
My daughter chose to honor Juneteenth by playing a song on her clarinet, He's Got the Whole World In His Hands, from one of our books by Kadir Nelson. We videoed it and posted to social media. Kids can utilize their own interests and talents to be anti-racist.
Anti-racist kids are much more likely to be anti-racist adults! And when your child sees you working hard to become a white ally yourself, you are modeling for them who they should become.
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