Today marks the beginning of black history month and I’ve been thinking about what that looks like in my life and in our house. Our older kids have become more aware of race and physical characteristics/differences in general. In reflecting on what we’ve tried to teach our kids about race and diversity throughout the years, I realized (thanks to some great books and Instagram accounts) a majority of our at-home-discussion has missed the mark.
For example, On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we talked about segregation and how there was a period in time where black people could not attend the same schools as white people. When they started asking why, my response was “because of the color of their skin,” because honestly, that’s what I remember being told throughout my education. I’m now aware the language I used with my kids was harmful. It wasn’t because of the color of their skin that black people couldn’t attend the same schools as white people, it was because of racist laws. Later that night, we were watching one of my work kids play basketball on an all black team in a primarily all black league, and my daughter asked “where is the white team?” It was an innocent and valid question because I’m sure it’s really hard for my kids to understand segregation in a historical context when in our lives, they still see a lot of division between white and black people. Our circles are very white. Also, our conversations about diversity usually highlight racism, injustice, and oppression, with a “but God made us all unique and equal” blurb at the end. I’ve lumped diversity into racism and therefore, have missed the opportunity to truly celebrate other people who may look and live differently than we do. I want to be absolutely clear I think it’s important and necessary for my kids to understand historical complexities, and present realities of racism and also, I don’t want it to be all they know, see, and hear about black lives. I want my kids to celebrate black culture, black art, black music, black beauty, black business, and black lives. And not just in February. This is going to take intentional work on our part. I have a few tangible ideas to start broadening our world and thought I’d share if you’re needing some ideas too. I don’t share to act like we are the model or experts on racism and diversity because are not that at all. We will keep watching my work kids play basketball on Monday nights. The first week, Jade learned she has drip (and also learned what that means-she’s fashionable) as one kid told her. If you’d like to come, there is a tournament later this month and next week highlights seniors. There is tons of talent in this league and unfortunately due to a number of different factors, players are unable to play with their high school teams. We WILL be eating Soul by the Pound cake this month (the owner is my coworker and friend-look her up on Facebook she makes the most amazing pound cake). If you think a midi size will be big enough for your family, it won’t be-I can eat a whole one by myself in about 3 days. I will be checking out books from the library such as I am Enough and Don’t Touch my Hair as Jade has asked lots of questions about black hair. Tonight we read about Wangari Maathai at dinner and I will be attending a book study on Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison at my church. These are just a few ideas, a scratch on the surface of what there is to celebrate and learn this month and every day. Black Lives Matter. Thankful for the black lives who have enriched mine.
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Hi! I'm Haley. Archives
May 2019
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