A PARENT'S GUIDE TO BLACK LIVES MATTER Re sour ce s, Ac tiviti e s, a n d T ips f or Fa mili e s to e mpow e r c hil d r e n to work tow a r d s r ac i a l e qu a lity A qui c k intro d u c tion (p g .3) W h a t is th e B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r mov e m e nt? (p g 3-4) H ow d o I e xpl a in Ge or ge F loy d to my c hil d r e n? (p g .5-6) H ow d o I op e n a c onv e rs a tion with c hil d r e n on r ace a n d r ac ism? (p g 6-8) H ow d o I e xpl a in W hit e P rivil ege ? (p g .9) I t's not just a n a rr a tiv e o f stru gg l e (p g .10) T h e da n ge r o f s a yin g " M y c hil d isn't r ac ist" (p g .11) Be in g a rol e mo de l throu g h ac tion (p g .12) Ed u ca tion a l r e sour ce s f or you a n d your fa mily (p g .13-19) - B ooks ( f or youn ge r c hil d r e n, ol de r c hil d r e n a n d p a r e nts) - O nlin e r e sour ce s ( f or p a r e nts) - P o dca sts ( f or ol de r c hil d r e n a n d p a r e nts) - F ilms & d o c um e nt a ri e s ( f or youn ge r c hil d r e n, ol de r c hil d r e n a n d p a r e nts) C r ed its (p age 20.) CONTENTS Peacef ul prot e sts, m a ss m a r c h e s, a n d portr a y a ls o f viol e n ce Pe titions, politi ca l sp eec h e s, a n d de monstr a tions. T h e l a st two w ee ks h a v e s ee n mov e m e nts ad vo ca tin g f or a n e n d to r ac i a l in e qu a lity on a m a ss s ca l e Ye t, c urr e nt affa irs a r e n’t a lw a ys t a n g i b l e or imm ed i a t e ly c l ea r, e sp ec i a lly f rom a c hil d ’s p e rsp ec tiv e Ma ny c hil d r e n m a y h a v e qu e stions ab out th e im age s, stori e s, a n d c onv e rs a tions th e y h ea r on th e n e ws a n d a roun d th e m. We ca n’t sol e ly r e ly on s c hools to e nsur e c hil d r e n f ully un de rst a n d th e B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r mov e m e nt a n d th e issu e s th a t f u e l th e mov e m e nt. A s p a r e nts, i f w e h a v e n’t a lr ead y, it is a lso our r e sponsi b ility to e n gage in positiv e a n d op e n d is c ussions ab out r ace a n d r ac ism with our c hil d r e n a t hom e Pe rh a ps r ace h a s a lw a ys bee n a topi c o f r eg ul a r d is c ussion in your fa mily, or p e rh a ps you fee l unsur e ab out how to a ppro ac h th e topi c o f r ace with your fa mily. Pe rh a ps you g r e w up n e v e r t a lkin g ab out r ace , or p e rh a ps you r eg ul a rly face d is c rimin a tion. T his g ui de a ims to provi de r e sour ce s, ad vi ce , a n d tips to e nsur e th a t c hil d r e n a r e a w a r e o f r ac i a l in e qu a lity, r ac i a l hi e r a r c hi e s, a n d whit e privil ege pr e s e nt in mo de rn- da y so c i e ty, a s w e ll a s sh a r e tools a n d knowl edge in whi c h to c om ba t r ac ism to da y. Rac ism a n d r ace is not a on e - c onv e rs a tion topi c , a n d our g ui de b y no m ea ns c ont a ins a ll th e a nsw e rs, w e simply hop e to provi de th e f oun da tions o f g oo d pl ace s to st a rt h e lp inspir e d is c ussion a n d e mpow e r fa mili e s to work tow a r d s r ac i a l e qu a lity. Black Lives Matter Justice For George Floyd A quick introduction What is the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) movement ? I n 2012, 17-y ea r ol d Af ri ca n- A m e ri ca n T r a yvon Ma rtin w a s kill ed b y a m e m be r o f n e i g h b ourhoo d w a t c h, Ge or ge Z imm e rm a n. T h e poli ce tol d Z imm e rm a n not to pursu e T r a yvon f or lookin g suspi c ious, b ut h e d i d n’t list e n a n d fa t a lly shot him. T h e r e w a s a lot o f r ac i a l b i a s d urin g th e tri a l a n d Z imm e rm a n w a s ac quitt ed f or th e c rim e I n r e spons e , B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r mov e m e nt w a s f orm ed A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r A qui c k intro d u c tion 3.) T h e mov e m e nt s ee ks to “ e r ad i ca t e whit e supr e m ac y, stop viol e n ce in f li c t ed on B l ac k c ommuniti e s, a n d c r ea t e a s afe sp ace f or B l ac k c ommuniti e s, im ag in a tion, a n d innov a tion.” I t sp ea ks out aga inst poli ce b rut a lity a n d un acc ount ab ility, not sol e ly with r ega r d to Ge or ge F loy d , b ut a lso B r e onn a Ta ylor, A hm a u d A r be ry, a n d th e thous a n d s o f vi c tims wron g ly tr ea t ed b y th e poli ce W hilst it is not a n e w mov e m e nt, its m e ss age is ce ntr a l to th e pr e s e nt a nti-r ac ist mov e m e nt. T h e st a t e m e nt " B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r" r efe rs to a T witt e r h a sht ag , a n a nth e m, a slo ga n, a so c i a l mov e m e nt, or mov e m e nts a n d g roupin g s f or r ac i a l justi ce I t h a s g rown to bec om e a g lo ba l mov e m e nt - a n int e rn a tion a l hum a n ri g hts mov e m e nt - to c om ba t r ac ism in mo de rn- da y so c i e ty. But how do we explain this to our children? W h e n w e e xpl a in BLM to c hil d r e n, you’r e not s a yin g th a t no b o d y e ls e m a tt e rs. H ow e v e r, b y e n c our ag in g ‘ a ll liv e s m a tt e r’ a s p a r e nts w e risk t a kin g a w a y th e r ea l d i ff i c ulty fe lt b y B l ac k c ommuniti e s. T h e r e a r e c hil d - f ri e n d ly a n a lo g i e s to h e lp c hil d r e n un de rst a n d B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r: 1.) I m ag in e i f you b rok e your l eg a n d h ad to g o to th e D o c tor. Y ou woul d w a nt to t e ll th e D o c tor th a t ri g ht now, your l eg w a s in p a in. W hilst ALL your b on e s m a tt e r, ri g ht now, it’s your l eg th a t n eed s a tt e ntion. 2.) I m ag in e you w e r e runnin g a r ace to r a is e mon e y a t a ca n ce r f un d r a is e r, a n d som e on e s a i d to you ' B ut d on't a ll d is ea s e s m a tt e r?' Of c ours e th e y d o, b ut ri g ht now, it's ca n ce r th a t n eed s f un d in g 3.) We said: Black Lives Matter We never said: Only Black lives matter We know: that all lives matter We just need your help with #BlackLivesMatter for Black lives are in danger! illustr a tion c r ed it: K ris S tr a u b A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r W h a t is th e BLM mov e m e nt? 4.) E xpl a inin g th e c urr e nt e v e nts ca n be m ade c ompr e h e nsi b l e throu g h a c hil d - f ri e n d ly l e ns. H ow woul d your c hil d fee l i f th e ir f ri e n d s a i d som e thin g m ea n to th e m or push ed th e m beca us e o f som e thin g th e y c oul d n’t c ontrol? W h a t i f th e y th e n d i d it aga in, e v e n af t e r h e /sh e a sk ed th e m to stop? A n d th e n aga in, a n d no on e a t s c hool h e lp ed th e m? E v e ntu a lly, th e y woul d fee l ups e t a n d a n g ry. I n som e w a ys, this is lik e th e Ge or ge F loy d tr aged y. I n c i de nts o f bad be h a viour a n d mistr ea tm e nt h a v e h a pp e n ed r eg ul a rly f or decade s, a n d no m a tt e r how m a ny tim e s p e opl e s a i d ‘stop’ or a sk ed f or h e lp, littl e w a s d on e Ge or ge F loy d ’s dea th w a s th e str a w th a t b rok e th e ca m e l’s bac k. How do I explain george floyd To my children ? Pe rh a ps, prior to th e dea th o f Ge or ge F loy d , you vi e w ed r ac ism a s som e thin g ‘ o f th e p a st ’ or ‘ som e thin g th a t d o e sn’t h a pp e n h e r e .’ W h e n t a lkin g ab out th e tr aged y o f Ge or ge F loy d a n d simil a r in c i de nts, it’s import a nt to e mph a sis e th a t r ac ism h a sn’t su dde nly a pp ea r ed f rom nowh e r e For younger children: Y oun ge r c hil d r e n m a y f in d it d i ff i c ult to un de rst a n d poli ce b rut a lity, so it’s import a nt to e xpl a in th a t whil e poli ce o ff i ce rs shoul d be kin d a n d h e lp f ul, this is not a lw a ys th e ca s e , linkin g it to th e notion o f ‘ fa irn e ss.’ T his ca n a lso be a g oo d tim e to t eac h c hil d r e n ab out pr e ju d i ce a n d th a t w e shoul d n e v e r ju dge a p e rson’s c h a r ac t e r b y th e ir physi ca l a pp ea r a n ce Of t e n in our so c i e ty, a n d c ons e qu e ntly th e poli c in g syst e m, th e r e a r e pr e sumptions o f wh a t a ' da n ge rous' p e rson looks lik e , whi c h h a s f u e ll ed m a ny o f th e s e ac ts o f poli ce b rut a lity. We shoul d r e min d our c hil d r e n th a t a p e rson with a da rk e r skin c olour shoul d not be a sso c i a t ed with n ega tiv e c h a r ac t e risti c s su c h a s be in g da n ge rous or unkin d , a n d th a t w e shoul d n e v e r ju dge a b ook b y its c ov e r. A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r H ow d o I e xpl a in Ge or ge F loy d to my c hil d r e n? 5.) W ith a g r ea t e r un de rst a n d in g o f th e worl d a n d e v e nts a roun d th e m, a s p a r e nts, w e ca n e xp a n d on th e ab ov e to t eac h our c hil d r e n history o f r ace a n d r ac i a l injusti ce pr e s e nt in mo de rn- da y so c i e ty. We shoul d m a k e sur e our c hil d r e n un de rst a n d th a t th e effec ts o f th e sl a v e tr ade d i d not just stop a t its ab olition, b ut its effec ts a r e still s ee n a n d fe lt to da y I t’s import a nt to know ab out c urr e nt injusti ce s, pr e vious injusti ce s, a n d ca s e s in whi c h p e opl e h a v e b r a v e ly spok e n out su c h a s ( b ut not limit ed to): For older children (secondary school): 1.) A p a rth e i d in th e Re pu b li c o f S outh Af ri ca ( RSA ) 2.) Ke y f i g ur e s su c h a s Ma rtin L uth e r K in g , Ma l c olm X , Ne lson Ma n de l a , R os a Pa rks 3.) W in d rush in th e UK 4.) T h e A m e ri ca n C ivil Wa r 5.) E x a mpl e s o f e v e ry da y d is c rimin a tion: eg .) CV r e spons e s with ‘ b l ac k’ soun d in g n a m e s be in g l e ss lik e ly to be c ont ac t ed , fa shion in d ustri e s prioritisin g whit e bea uty, d isproportion a t e stop a n d s ea r c h e s b y th e poli ce 6.) 7.) G r e n fe ll T ow e r I nquiry T h e rol e o f B l ac k sol d i e rs in WWI a n d WWII & tr ea tm e nt post-w a r F or a be tt e r un de rst a n d in g o f th e s e topi c s yours e l f bef or e a ppro ac hin g th e m with your c hil d r e n, w e ’v e link ed a r a n ge o f h e lp f ul r e sour ce s a t th e e n d o f this g ui de How do i open a conversation with children on race and racism ? F or som e fa mili e s, p a rti c ul a rly whit e or non- b l ac k p e opl e o f c olour, d is c ussions on r ace a n d r ac i a l in e qu a lity m a y fee l lik e fa irly n e w t e rritory. I t ca n be ea sy to ge t us ed to not thinkin g ab out r ac i a l i de ntity i f it d o e sn’t p e rson a lly imp ac t us n ega tiv e ly d urin g e v e ry da y li fe A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r H ow d o I e xpl a in Ge or ge F loy d to my c hil d r e n? 6.) Rece nt e v e nts h a v e un de rs c or ed th a t p a r e nts a n d ca r eg iv e rs must pl a y a n int eg r a l rol e in e nsurin g c hil d r e n h a v e a n ac ut e a w a r e n e ss o f whit e privil ege , r ac i a l b i a s, a n d r ac i a l hi e r a r c hi e s pr e s e nt in so c i e ty a n d th e w a ys in whi c h w e ca n c om ba t r ac ism. I t’s quit e n a tur a l to fee l un c om f ort ab l e a s a p a r e nt wh e n e n gag in g in su c h d is c ussions, e sp ec i a lly wh e n it’s not a topi c th a t you’r e us ed to t a lkin g ab out. A s I j e om a O luo, th e a uthor o f “ S o Y ou Wa nt to Ta lk Ab out Race ” t e lls us: E xpl a inin g r ece nt e v e nts a n d th e dee p c ompl e xiti e s r ac ism pos e a r e un de rst a n dab ly d i ff i c ult to a ppro ac h with youn ge r c hil d r e n. H ow d o w e e xpl a in r ace a n d th e r ac ism th a t e xists to da y in a n age - a ppropri a t e m a nn e r? A g oo d f irst st e p is to f r a m e r ace a n d its pr e s e nt in e qu a liti e s throu g h th e l e ns o f how a c hil d e xp e ri e n ce s th e worl d , su c h a s ‘ fa irn e ss.’ F rom a n ea rly age , w e h ea r our c hil d r e n s a y ‘ it’s not fa ir. ’ H i g hli g htin g e x a mpl e s o f situ a tions th a t ‘ a r e not fa ir’ a n d ‘ a r e fa ir’ is a t a n g i b l e l e ns in whi c h youn g c hil d r e n a r e ab l e to be tt e r un de rst a n d r ac i a l injusti ce F or e x a mpl e : Of t e n, w e a r e so af r a i d o f s a yin g th e ‘wron g thin g ’ th a t w e d on’t e n gage a t a ll. A s a c ons e qu e n ce , our c hil d r e n d on’t l ea rn ab out th e r ac ism th a t e xists to da y, how to be op e n to c riti c ism or how to r e sh a p e th e ir vi e ws. We ca n a lso m a k e a n ac tiv e eff ort to e n c our age d is c ussion on r ace If w e imm ed i a t e ly shut d own our c hil d r e n’s r e m a rks or c omm e nts on r ace , w e risk m a kin g it into a t ab oo topi c I nvit e c hil d r e n to ac tiv e ly s ee c olour, to s ee c ultur e , to s ee history, a n d to ac knowl edge th a t r ace h a s a n imp ac t on p e opl e ’s li fe e xp e ri e n ce s. S o how ca n w e be st d o this a n d wh a t ca n w e s a y? " If you w e r e hun g ry a n d I m ade d inn e r f or e v e ryon e b ut d i d n't g iv e you a ny, d o you think th a t is fa ir?" " If you d i d som e thin g wron g a n d I punish you b y t a kin g a w a y your fa vorit e toy a n d your sist e r d i d th e s a m e thin g a n d I ga v e h e r a tr ea t... d o you think th a ts fa ir?" " If w e w e nt to th e shop a n d I ga v e your littl e sist e r 5 sw ee ts a n d only ga v e you 1, how woul d th a t m a k e you fee l?" “If you’re white, and you don’t want to feel any of that pain by having these conversations, then you are asking people of colour to continue to bear the entire burden of racism alone.” Younger children: A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r H ow d o I op e n a c onv e rs a tion on r ace a n d r ac ism? 7.) U s e simpl e l a n g u age a n d m a k e it c l ea r th a t you fee l th e tr ea tm e nt o f Ge or ge F loy d b y a poli ce o ff i ce r w a s not fa ir, a n d th a t in our fa mily w e think e v e ryon e shoul d be tr ea t ed fa irly. Pe rson a lisin g your e xpl a n a tion will h e lp m a k e it mor e t a n g i b l e , a n d i f you ca n r e l a t e th e d is c ussion e ith e r to yours e lv e s, your c hil d r e n’s f ri e n d s or your own fa mily m e m be rs a n d f ri e n d s, it ca n h e lp to b rin g th e s e topi c s c los e r to hom e to hi g hli g ht th e ir import a n ce Ha v e th e y witn e ss ed r ac ism or e v e r bee n m ea n to som e on e with d i ffe r e nt skin c olour? W h a t is th e ir int e rpr e t a tion a n d opinion o f r ece nt e v e nts? C hil d r e n ab sor b th e ir surroun d in g s f rom a youn g age , th e r ef or e a s p a r e nts, w e ca n a lso ac tiv e ly e xpos e our c hil d r e n to d iv e rs e b ooks, f ilms, ca rtoons, a n d musi c to e nsur e our c hil d r e n d o not a sso c i a t e in f lu e nti a l h e ro e s, th e most ‘ bea uti f ul’ prin ce ss e s, or th e lou de st voi ce s a s sol e ly whit e S om e e x a mpl e s ca n be f oun d in th e r e sour ce s ec tion o f our g ui de Older children (10+): M ost ol de r c hil d r e n h a v e a n a w a r e n e ss o f wh a t is g oin g on in th e worl d a roun d th e m. A s p a r e nts w e shoul d , th e r ef or e , a llow our c hil d r e n to l ead th e c onv e rs a tion b y provi d in g a s afe a n d c om f ort ab l e e nvironm e nt in whi c h th e y a r e ab l e to e xpr e ss th e ms e lv e s. A sk your c hil d r e n qu e stions: W h a t d o th e y know ab out r ace ? T h e ca s e o f S hukri Abd i hi g hli g hts th a t r ac i a l b ullyin g is still pr e s e nt , a n d a s p a r e nts, w e shoul d t a k e th e tim e to un de rst a n d th e be h a viour o f our own c hil d r e n. T h e r e is a g oo d c h a n ce th a t c hil d r e n pi c k up on oth e r c hil d r e n's i dea s/ be h a viours th a t w e a r e n't a lw a ys a w a r e o f , a n d o f t e n thos e will be th e i dea s th e y sti c k with unl e ss c hil d r e n ca n op e nly d is c uss a n d pro ce ss th e m! B y list e nin g ab out wh a t our c hil d r e n know, w e ca n th e n b uil d on th e ir c onv e rs a tion a n d h e lp f ill th e mor e d i ff i c ult or c h a ll e n g in g ga ps. P rovi d in g our c hil d r e n with r e sour ce s f rom BAME c r ea tiv e s - b ooks, f ilm, po dca sts, musi c e t c - is a lso a g r ea t w a y to st a rt (s ee th e r e sour ce s s ec tion a t th e e n d o f this g ui de ). A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r H ow d o I op e n a c onv e rs a tion ab out r ace a n d r ac ism? 8.) T h e r e is a n e x ce ll e nt vi de o th a t p e r fec tly ca ptur e s th e c on ce pt o f privil ege A g roup o f p e opl e lin e up to st a rt a r ace T h e r efe r ee a sks qu e stions, su c h a s ‘t a k e two st e p f orw a r d s i f you h a v e n e v e r h e lp ed your p a r e nts with b ills' a n d ' i f you n e v e r won de r ed wh e r e your n e xt m ea l w a s c omin g f rom' Af t e r 5 or so qu e stions, th e r ace beg ins, with th e runn e rs a t v e ry d i ffe r e nt st a rtin g lin e s. Na tur a lly, thos e who w e r e ab l e to st e p c los e r to th e f inish lin e w e r e a t a hu ge ad v a nt age A k e y m e ss age f rom this vi de o is th a t th e s e thin g s a r e not in th e in d ivi d u a l’s c ontrol, a n d d i d not c om e f rom a ny o f th e dec isions th e y m ade T h a t is privil ege He r e ’s th e vi de o: https://youtu. be /4 K 5 fbQ 1-zps W h e n w e t a lk ab out whit e privil ege with our c hil d r e n, you’r e not s a yin g li fe isn’t som e tim e s tri c ky or th a t h a r d ship d o e sn’t e xist in whit e c ommuniti e s. Ra th e r, wh e n e xpl a inin g whit e privil ege you’r e s a yin g th a t h a r d ships or d i ff i c ult mom e nts e xp e ri e n ced in li fe a r e not a r e sult o f your skin c olour. T his ca n be e xpl a in ed in c hil d - f ri e n d ly hypoth e s e s su c h a s ‘im ag in e i f I h ad a c ho c ol a t e ba r a n d I ga v e it to e v e ry whit e p e rson f or f r ee b ut m ade b l ac k p e opl e p a y.’ O r ‘im ag in e i f w e w e nt to swimmin g l e ssons a n d a whit e c hil d c oul d e nt e r a c omp e tition af t e r swimmin g 2 l a ps, b ut a p e rson o f c olour h ad to swim 4 l a ps to e nt e r th e s a m e c omp e tition.’ B y un de rs c orin g th e un fa irn e ss o f su c h stori e s, a c hil d will be tt e r un de rst a n d th e d i ff i c ulti e s r ace wron g ly pos e s to da y. How do i explain white privilege ? I t’s import a nt to un de rst a n d , a n d to e xpl a in to our c hil d r e n, th a t th e c on ce pt o f whit e privil ege is not a n a tt ac k on whit e p e opl e , b ut is a r ef l ec tion o f th e r ea lity th a t m a ny c ommuniti e s ac ross th e worl d a r e affec t ed b y. A s a n in d ivi d u a l, w e ca n’t e r ad i ca t e it c ompl e t e ly f rom so c i e ty a s it is dee ply in g r a in ed into m a ny o f our syst e ms a n d institutions. H ow e v e r, th e b i gge st f irst st e p w e ca n t a k e is to r ec o g nis e th a t it e xists a n d th e n to r ef l ec t upon how th a t imp ac ts ours e lv e s a n d oth e rs in our imm ed i a t e a n d wi de r c ir c l e s. U n de rst a n d in g th e ori g ins a n d th e history o f whit e privil ege , whi c h da t e s bac k to th e c oloni a l e r a a n d h a s c ontinu ed a n d e volv ed throu g hout mor e r ece nt history, is e qu a lly a s import a nt a n d a llows us to i de nti f y how w e ca n c h a n ge our in d ivi d u a l ac tions to upli f t thos e who mi g ht not h a v e th e s a m e privil ege s a s oth e rs. A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r H ow d o I e xpl a in whit e privil ege ? 9.) A s p a r e nts, whilst it is import a nt to un de rs c or e th e import a n ce o f r ac ism b oth to da y a n d throu g hout history, it is e qu a lly import a nt to ce l eb r a t e B l ac k ac hi e v e m e nts, c ontri b utions, a n d history outsi de a f r a m e o f just stru gg l e C urr e ntly, B ritish s c hool pupils b ri ef ly tou c h on B l ac k history f rom th e 15th ce ntury onw a r d s, a n d a t most, l ea rnin g is sol e ly ce nt e r ed on th e sl a v e tr ade or c ivil ri g hts mov e m e nts d urin g history l e ssons, c r ea tin g on e n a rr a tiv e o f vi c timhoo d a n d in fe riority. We ca n e xpos e our c hil d r e n to d i ffe r e nt c uisin e s, B l ac k a uthors, B l ac k musi c i a ns, a n d B l ac k a rtists a n d h e lp our c hil d r e n ce l eb r a t e d iv e rsity. A t th e s a m e tim e a s intro d u c in g our c hil d r e n to n e w p e rsp ec tiv e s, i dea s a n d c ultur e , this a lso a llows us to support B l ac k-own ed b usin e ss e s in this w a y, a n d a s su c h d oin g our p a rt to h e lp r ed u ce som e o f th e ec onomi c in e qu a liti e s th e y face S om e d ir ec tori e s o f B l ac k-own ed b usin e ss e s in th e UK ca n be f oun d a t UK B l ac k O wn ed a n d B l ac k2 B usin e ss. It ' s not just a narrative of struggle A s w e ll a s this, w e ca n a n d shoul d r ec o g nis e th e c ontri b utions th a t B l ac k inv e ntors, s c i e ntists a n d politi c i a ns h a v e m ade tow a r d s m a ny o f th e mo de rn- da y a m e niti e s th a t a r e us ed e v e ry da y, g ivin g th e m th e c r ed it th a t’s w e ll de s e rv ed W hil e T hom a s Ed ison is r e nown ed f or inv e ntin g th e li g ht b ul b , fe w p e opl e know th a t it w a s ac tu a lly a n Af ri ca n- A m e ri ca n inv e ntor, Le wis La tim e r, who inv e nt ed th e ca r b on f il a m e nt th a t a llows th e b ul b to f un c tion. O th e r inv e ntions whi c h w e r e pion ee r ed or g r ea tly improv ed b y B l ac k inv e ntors in c lu de th e thr ee -li g ht tr aff i c li g ht syst e m ( Ga rr e tt M or ga n, 1923), r ef ri ge r a t ed tru c ks ( F r ede ri c k McK inl e y J on e s, 1940) a n d th e f irst c olour PC monitor ( Ma rk Dea n, 1980). T h e s e a r e just a fe w g r ea t trivi a fac ts th a t ca n e v e n s e t your ki d s a p a rt f rom oth e rs in th e ir c l a ss or f ri e n d ship g roup, a n d a w a y f or c hil d r e n to show o ff th e ir knowl edge ab out th e worl d ( a s w e ll a s b oostin g th e ir c h a n ce s in T rivi a l P ursuit). B l ac k history g o e s mu c h mor e be yon d sl a v e ry , a n d it’s import a nt to l ea rn ab out th e ri c h history o f Af ri ca bef or e this e r a I n c ontr a st to som e o f portr a y a ls w e s ee o f Af ri ca be in g a n impov e rish ed , su ffe rin g c ontin e nt with a da rk p a st, Af ri ca d urin g th e M oor C ivilis a tion (until 1500s) w a s w e ll-r e sp ec t ed , with m a ny c onqu e sts a n d c ontri b utions tow a r d s E urop ea n c ultur e Y ou ca n f in d out mor e ab out M oor history in som e o f th e r e sour ce s list ed be low. T h e e thni c h e rit age a n d c ontri b utions o f our c ommuniti e s is som e thin g v a lu ab l e th a t’s worth e xplorin g a n d h e lps us to ac knowl edge th a t th e y a r e multi d im e nsion a l, bea uti f ul a n d inspir a tion a l with m a ny positiv e e l e m e nts. A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r I t's not just a n a rr a tiv e o f stru gg l e 10.) Ma ny p a r e nts m a y shy a w a y f rom d is c ussions o f r ace , un de r th e pr ec on ce ption th a t ‘my ki d s woul d n’t be h a v e lik e this.’ H ow e v e r, th e r e is still pl e nty your c hil d r e n ca n d o to e nsur e th a t s c hool, pl a y g roun d s, a n d ac tiviti e s a r e not t a int ed with r ac i a l injusti ce E v e n i f you think your ki d s woul d n’t p e rson a lly e n gage in r ac ist be h a viour, th e r e a r e still thin g s th e y ca n d o to h e lp. E n c our ag in g our c hil d r e n to sp ea k up a n d st a n d up to r ac ism is not a skin g your c hil d to f ully un de rst a n d e x ac tly wh a t it fee ls lik e to be oppr e ss ed Ra th e r a s p a r e nts w e shoul d be h e lpin g th e m to l ea rn to t a k e on a n d un de rst a n d th e stru gg l e a s i f it w e r e th e ir own. T h e G ui de to A llyship su gge sts to: S t a n d up, e v e n wh e n you fee l s ca r ed T r a ns fe r th e be n ef its o f your privil ege to thos e who l ac k it Ac knowl edge th a t whil e you too fee l p a in, th e c onv e rs a tion is not ab out you A s our c hil d r e n g row up, w e shoul d be e n c our ag in g th e m to be op e n to list e nin g , to e m b r ace in de p e n de nt l ea rnin g opportuniti e s, a n d to be pr e p a r ed to a lt e r th e ir be h a viour. A s p a r e nts, w e must be ca r ef ul not to p a ss on th e i dea th a t e v e ry minority g roup fee ls oppr e ss ed , r a th e r w e shoul d e n c our age our c hil d r e n to sp ea k out aga inst injusti ce , be pro ac tiv e l ea rn e rs a n d positiv e ly a lt e r impli c it b i a s. I nspir e your c hil d r e n to be b r a v e a n d sp ea k out to th e ir t eac h e rs, th e ir f ri e n d s, th e ir p a r e nts, a n d f i g ur e s o f a uthority in ca s e s o f injusti ce E n c our age th e m to be c urious a n d to qu e stion th e ir own pr e ju d i ce or th e pr e ju d i ce pr e s e nt in s c hool or ac tiviti e s. the danger of saying ' my child isn ' t racist ' 1.) 2.) 3.) A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r T h e da n ge r o f s a yin g 'my c hil d isn't r ac ist' 11.) Pe rh a ps on e o f th e b i gge st t a k ea w a ys f rom our g ui de is to un de rs c or e th a t c h a n g in g a ttitu de s tow a r d s r ace st a rts a t hom e O n ce w e a s p a r e nts un de rst a n d a nti-r ac ism ours e lv e s, w e a r e th e n ab l e to l ead b y e x a mpl e to our c hil d r e n. Be in g op e n to c h a n ge a n d c riti c ism o f c urr e nt vi e ws is a pow e r f ul l e sson, h e lpin g our c hil d r e n bec om e be tt e r a n d c ons c i e ntious worl d c itiz e ns. Ac tions o f t e n sp ea k lou de r th a n wor d s, a n d our c hil d r e n mirror how w e ac t in da y- to- da y li fe F rom a youn g age c hil d r e n t a k e not e o f our ac tions, m ea nin g th a t i f you op e n d is c ussion on r ace a t hom e , y e t tr ea t p e opl e d i ffe r e ntly in vi e w o f th e ir r ace , your c hil d r e n a r e lik e ly to ad opt simil a r be h a viour. W hilst it's not a lw a ys ea sy, a s p a r e nts w e shoul d try to ac knowl edge a n d be a w a r e o f our own impli c it b i a s. Ta k e not e o f your ge stur e s, how you look a t p e opl e , a n d how you int e r ac t with p e opl e S m a ll c h a n ge s su c h a s th e s e g o a lon g w a y. Being a role model through action A selection of educational resources for you and your family ( please look beyond this list as well ! ) : A p a r e nt's g ui de to B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r Be in g a rol e mo de l throu g h ac tion 12.) G r ace B y e rs: I a m e nou g h ( Age 3-8) A c hil d - f ri e n d ly simpl e pi c tur e b ook th a t r e min d s us to lov e ours e lv e s f or who w e a r e , to be kin d a n d to r e sp ec t oth e rs I nnos a nto Naga r a : A is f or Ac tivist (1+) A n ABC b ook p ac k ed with def initions a n d e y e - ca t c hin g pi c tur e s th a t h e lp c hil d r e n e n gage in a n d un de rst a n d ac tivism A nn Ha zz a r d : S om e thin g Ha pp e n ed I n O ur T own ( age 4-8) T h e story o f a whit e fa mily a n d a b l ac k fa mily a s th e y e xplor e a poli ce shootin g o f a B l ac k m a n in th e ir town. T h e b ook a ims to h e lp c hil d r e n un de rst a n d a n d i de nti f y r ac i a l injusti ce a n d h e lp a nsw e r qu e stions on th e n a tur e o f tr a um a ti c e v e nts. Ma tth e w C h e rry: Ha ir L ov e A short b ook a n d f ilm th a t n a rr a t e s a n Af ri ca n- A m e ri ca n fa th e r’s r e l a tionship with his da u g ht e r a n d stylin g h e r h a ir. T h e b ook e n c our age s lov e a n d m a instr ea m e xposur e to p e opl e o f c olour’s h a ir. C o b zi A C o b r e r a : M y Ha ir is a Ga r de n Mac k e nzi e is ups e t ab out m ea n c omm e nts ab out h e r h a ir. We f ollow h e r story a s sh e l ea rns to lov e h e r h a ir with th e h e lp o f h e r n e i g h b our M iss T illi e U sin g h e r ga r de n a s a m e t a phor Mac k e nzi e l ea rns not to fea r h e r h a ir b ut to s ee it a s bea uti f ul. Va shti Ha rrison: L ittl e Leade rs: B ol d W om e n I n B l ac k H istory ( Age 7-10) A n illustr a t ed history b ook o f th e stori e s o f a m a zin g B l ac k wom e n in history a n d th e ir ac hi e v e m e nts A n d r ea Da vis P ink e y: Le t it S hin e ( age s 5-9) A n illustr a t ed story o f B l ac k wom e n d oin g a m a zin g ac ts in history, sp ea kin g out aga inst r ac ism a n d oppr e ssion. F r a n Ma nushkin Ha ppy in our S kin ( Age 2+) A b ook to t eac h ki d s ab out d iv e rsity. T h e illustr a tions fea tur e c hil d r e n with d i ffe r e nt skin c olours, g l a ss e s, f r ec kl e s, uni b rows, wh ee l c h a irs, a n d b irthm a rks to h e lp e n c our age th e bea uty o f d iv e rsity I ly a s a h S h aba zz: Ma l c olm L ittl e : T h e B oy W ho G r e w U p T o Be Ma l c olm X ( Age 5-10) T h e c hil d hoo d story o f on e o f th e most in f lu e nti a l B l ac k A m e ri ca n m e n, Ma l c olm X , writt e n b y his da u g ht e r Ib tih a j M uh a mm ad : T h e P rou de st B lu e ( Age 4-7) A bea uti f ul story o f be in g prou d o f your i de ntity. I n th e face o f hurt f ul wor d s, Fa iz a h f in d s th e w a y to be prou d o f h e r b ri g ht b lu e hij ab Books: Younger children: 13.) Jac qu e lin e W oo d son: T h e Da y Y ou Beg in ( Age 4-7) T h e story o f f in d in g th e c our age a n d b r a v e ry to be d i ffe r e nt a n d c onn ec t with p e opl e wh e n you fee l a lon e or wh e n “no on e is quit e lik e you" M or e h e r e : https://twitt e r. c om/w a n de rin gb ritt_/st a tus/1267617830872154113?s=21 Older children: Ma lori e B l ac km a n: N ou g hts a n d C ross e s s e ri e s ( age 11-16) Ta k e s so c i a l norms a n d f lips th e m on th e ir h ead a n d c on f ronts th e l egac y o f sl a v e ry in a n e n gag in g a n d c ompr e h e nsi b l e m a nn e r f or t ee n age rs. Ma y a A n ge lou: I know why th e caged b ir d s sin g (14+) T h e f irst o f s e v e n a uto b io g r a phi e s o f th e writ e r Ma y a A n ge lou, de s c ri b in g how h e r lov e o f lit e r a tur e a n d p e rson a l str e n g th h e lp ed h e r face r ac ism throu g hout c hil d hoo d a n d ea rly ad ol e s ce n ce A n g i e T hom a s: T h e Ha t e Y ou G iv e (14+) I nspir ed b y th e B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r M ov e m e nt this story f ollows S t a rr Ca rt e r a n d w e f ollow h e r journ e y a s sh e tri e s to sp ea k up f or th e tr ag i c dea th o f h e r c hil d hoo d f ri e n d , K h a lil. L is a Hea th f i e l d : I a m not a num be r (14+) Se t in a d ystopi a n f utur e , w e f ollow th e story o f th e ris e o f ultr a - c ons e rv a tism throu g h th e prot ag onist R u b y. Parents (and older children): T h e L on e ly L on d on e rs: Sa m Se lvon T h e story o f b l ac k immi g r a nts c omin g to B rit a in af t e r WW 2, e xpl a ins how B rit a in in n eed tr ea t ed immi g r a nts with r ac ism a n d pr e ju d i ce N ik e sh S hukl a : T h e G oo d I mmi g r a nt A c oll ec tion o f short p e rson a l e xp e ri e n ce s o f th e e xp e ri e n ce o f 21 in f lu e nti a l B ritish A si a n a n d minority e thni c voi ce s in B rit a in to da y. T h e y p a int a pi c tur e o f wh a t it is lik e to be ‘oth e r’ in B rit a in to da y. P oi g n a nt, c h a ll e n g in g , f unny, int e r e stin g , a n d inspirin g , this is a must f or your t ee n age c hil d to s ee B rit a in outsi de o f a whit e l e ns. Re ni Edd o- L o dge : W hy I ’m no lon ge r t a lkin g to W hit e p e opl e ab out r ace A sh a rp w a k e up ca ll to institution a lis ed r ac ism a n d outlin e s wh a t it m ea ns to be a p e rson o f c olour in B rit a in in 2020. Af u a H irs c h: B rit(ish) A n e xplor a tion into wh a t it r ea lly m ea ns to be B l ac k a n d not acce pt ed in B ritish so c i e ty a n d how th e imp ac t o f th e p a st on th e pr e s e nt. 14.) Da vi d O luso ga : B l ac k a n d B ritish: A F or g ott e n H istory A histori ca l e xplor a tion o f th e lon g r e l a tionship be tw ee n B rit a in a n d th e p e opl e o f Af ri ca da tin g to R om a n tim e s. Be rn ad in e E v a risto: G irl, W om a n, O th e r A nov e l th a t f ollows 12 wom e n ov e r s e v e r a l decade s a n d a sw ee pin g history o f th e b l ac k B ritish e xp e ri e n ce I j e om a O luo, S o Y ou Wa nt to Ta lk Ab out Race A n e xplor a tion o f r ace in A m e ri ca , a sp ec ts o f whit e supr e m ac y-- f rom poli ce b rut a lity to th e m a ss in ca r ce r a tion o f Af ri ca n A m e ri ca ns Websites: G ui de T o A llyship https:// g ui de to a llyship. c om/ (11+) Ta lkin g ab out r ace https://nm aa h c .si. ed u/l ea rn/t a lkin g - ab out-r ace (p a r e nts) A nti-r ac ism r e sour ce list f or beg inn e rs: https:// d o c s. g oo g l e c om/ d o c um e nt/ d /1 S 5u c k FHCA _ XZ kx G 0 Zg 5 U 4 GQGbY _ R kl ZAR w u43 f q JH 0 E /pr e vi e w?pru= AAABc q Qa l E w* P 8 c j SDUbX 97mv Z j KJdaM sw (p a r e nts a n d ol de r c hil d r e n) 100 r ace - c ons c ious thin g s you ca n s a y to your c hil d : http://www.r acec ons c ious.or g /2016/06/100-r ace - c ons c ious-thin g s-to-s a y-to- your- c hil d -to- ad v a n ce -r ac i a l-justi ce / (p a r e nts) Y our ki d s a r e n’t too youn g to t a lk ab out r ace : https://www.pr e tty g oo dde si g n.or g / b lo g / B lo g %20 P ost%20 T itl e %20 O n e -5n e w4? fbc li d = I w AR 1 Xg 3lpkv Y 3t4 JVC r8 BF 9 TOa 2m- 2 gdQ xk CD _ IPS mmop T qu WS x bZQa 6 cX 0 Q (p a r e nts) H ow to t a lk to ki d s ab out r ace a n d r ac ism : https://www.p a r e nttoolkit. c om/so c i a l- a n d - e motion a l- de v e lopm e nt/ ad vi ce /so c i a l- a w a r e n e ss/how-to-t a lk-to-ki d s- ab out- r ace - a n d -r ac ism (p a r e nts) podcasts ( Click to listen ) L i fe K it: Pa r e nts. Ta lkin g Race with youn g c hil d r e n Ab out Race Pa r e nts ( Re ni Edd o- L o dge ) C o de : S wit c h NPR Pa r e nts/ O l de r c hil d r e n 15.) N ot a ll sup e rh e ro e s w ea r ca p e s: how you h a v e th e pow e r to c h a n ge th e worl d ( TED Ta lk). Pa r e nts/ ol de r c hil d r e n T h e Re spons e po dca st: I n e qu a lity, stru c tur a l r ac ism, a n d th e f i g ht f or justi ce af t e r th e G r e n fe ll T ow e r f ir e Pa r e nts/ol de r c hil d r e n M or e e x a mpl e s h e r e : https:// be llo c oll ec tiv e c om/8-po dca sts-th a t-h e lp-you-t a lk-to- ki d s- ab out-r ace - e 5 a 4 b 639 ac 3 f Films: Re m e m be r th e T it a ns ( PG ) Ba s ed on th e tru e story o f hi g h s c hool f oot ba ll c o ac h He rm a n B oon e in th e 1970s, a n d how h e d i ff us e s r ac i a l t e nsions, t eac hin g his pl a y e rs to c om e to ge th e r on a n d o ff th e f i e l d H i dde n F i g ur e s ( PG ) Ba s ed on th e tru e story o f thr ee m a th e m a ti c i a ns in th e 1960s — Ka th e rin e J ohnson, D orothy Va u g h a n, a n d Ma ry Jac kson. T his f ilm portr a ys how th e s e thr ee wom e n ov e r ca m e r ace a n d ge n de r o b st ac l e s a n d bec om e k e y m e m be rs o f NASA Q u ee n o f Ka tw e ( PG ) Se t in Ka tw e , Uga n da , 10-y ea r-ol d P hion a M ut e si’s li fe c h a n ge s f or e v e r af t e r a visitin g mission a ry t eac h e s h e r how to pl a y c h e ss. S h e bec om e s a n int e rn a tion a l c h e ss st a r, a n d w e f ollow how sh e face s pov e rty, viol e n ce , a n d r ac ism a lon g th e w a y. A k ee l a h a n d th e Bee ( PG ) T h e story ce nt e rs a roun d E l e v e n-y ea r-ol d g irl f rom south L os A n ge l e s, A k ee l a h. He r moth e r works in c r ed i b ly h a r d a n d sh e lost h e r dad a t six. We w a t c h a s A k ee l a h l ea rns to be li e v e in h e r ca p ab iliti e s a n d ov e r c om e c h a ll e n ge s to c omp e t e a t sp e llin g bee s. T h e B oy who Ha rn e ss ed th e W in d ( PG ) Ba s ed on a tru e story, this f ilm de pi c ts W illi a m Ka mkw a m ba , a 13-y ea r-ol d b oy who de vis e s a w a y to s a v e his Ma l a wi vill age f rom fa min e T h e Pa intin g ( U ) A n a nim a t ed m e t a phor f or r ac ism. O ri g in a lly a F r e n c h f ilm w e e xplor e a kin gd om is d ivi ded into th e thr ee ca st e s: th e imp eccab ly p a int ed A ll d unns; th e Ha l f i e s who th e Pa int e r h a s l ef t in c ompl e t e ; a n d th e untou c h ab l e S k e t c hi e s T h e P rin ce ss a n d th e F ro g ( PG ) D isn e y’s f irst on-s c r ee n B l ac k P rin ce ss, this story f ollows T i a n a on h e r journ e y to op e nin g h e r own r e st a ur a nt. A kin d -h ea rt ed , f unny, a n d lov e ly story o f turnin g a f ro g prin ce bac k into a hum a n be in g Younger children / Family 16.) C o ac h Ca rt e r (12 A ) Ba s ed on a tru e story, a sports stor e own e r acce pts th e jo b o f ba sk e t ba ll c o ac h f or his ol d hi g h s c hool. He s e ts out on a mission to c h a n ge thin g s a ttitu de s surroun d in g r e l a tionships with oth e rs, kin d n e ss, a n d ed u ca tion to e nsur e his t ea m h a s acce ss to th e be st opportuniti e s in li fe af t e r hi g h s c hool. T h e pursuit o f h a ppin e ss (12 A ) Ba s ed on a tru e story o f a fa th e r-son fa mily th e f ilm f ollows a fa th e r a n d son ris e f rom th e b ottom run g o f th e l adde r in 1980s Sa n F r a n c is c o T h e Ha t e Y ou G iv e (12) Ba s ed on th e nov e l a n d inspir ed b y th e B l ac k L iv e s Ma tt e r M ov e m e nt this story f ollows S t a rr Ca rt e r a n d w e f ollow h e r journ e y a s sh e tri e s to sp ea k up f or th e tr ag i c dea th o f h e r c hil d hoo d f ri e n d , K h a lil. Bec omin g ( PG ) J oin f orm e r f irst l ad y M i c h e ll e Oba m a in a n intim a t e d o c um e nt a ry look a t h e r li fe , hop e s a n d c onn ec tion with oth e rs a s sh e tours with Bec omin g Ma n de l a ( L on g w a lk to f r eed om) (12) A c hroni c l e o f Ne lson Ma n de l a 's li fe journ e y f rom his c hil d hoo d in a rur a l vill age throu g h to his in a u g ur a tion a s th e f irst de mo c r a ti ca lly e l ec t ed pr e si de nt o f S outh Af ri ca , de pi c tin g Ma n de l a ’s vi e wpoint on th e a p a rth e i d y ea rs. W ho kill ed Ma l c om X ? (12) A Ne t f lix minis e ri e s f ollowin g th e work o f Abd ur- Ra hm a n M uh a mm ad , a histori a n who h a s bee n inv e sti ga tin g th e a ss a ssin a tion o f Ma l c olm X Ra y (15) A n a w a r d -winnin g in de p e n de nt f ilm f o c usin g on th e li fe o f Ra y C h a rl e s, a pion ee r o f soul musi c with on e o f th e most r ec o g nis ab l e voi ce s in A m e ri ca n musi c who w e nt b lin d a t th e age o f s e v e n A li (15) A b io g r a phy o f M uh a mm ad A li f ollowin g his h ea vyw e i g ht b oxin g ca r ee r, c onv e rsion to I sl a m a n d c riti c ism o f th e V i e tn a m Wa r d urin g a tim e o f so c i a l a n d politi ca l uph ea v a l f ollowin g th e a ss a ssin a tions o f Ma l c olm X a n d Ma rtin L uth e r K in g Ma l c olm X (15) A d r a m a tis ed b iopi c f ollowin g k e y e v e nts in th e li fe a n d up b rin g in g o f Ma l c olm X , on e o f th e most w e ll-known c ivil ri g hts a n d b l ac k e mpow e rm e nt ac tivists. W h a t Ha pp e n ed , M iss S imon e ? (15) A b io g r a phy o f th e li fe o f A m e ri ca n sin ge r a n d c ivil ri g hts ac tivist N in a S imon e , c om b inin g unr e l ea s ed a r c hiv e f oot age a n d int e rvi e ws with h e r da u g ht e r a n d f ri e n d s. Biographical films (older children and parents) 17.) G r ee n B ook (12 A ) I nspir ed b y a tru e story, worl d - c l a ss Af ri ca n- A m e ri ca n pi a nist D r D on S hirl e y e m ba rks on a c on ce rt tour o f th e Dee p S outh in 1962, r ec ruitin g a tou g h-t a lkin g I t a li a n- A m e ri ca n b oun ce r f rom th e B ronx a s his d riv e r a n d prot ec tion. T h e two m e n de v e lop a n un e xp ec t ed b on d whil e c on f rontin g r ac ism a n d da n ge r in a n e r a o f s eg r ega tion. T h e He lp (12 A ) A p e rio d d r a m a s e t d urin g th e C ivil R i g hts M ov e m e nt in 1963 M ississippi f ollowin g th e story o f a youn g whit e a spirin g journ a list “ S k ee t e r” who writ e s a b ook f rom th e p e rsp ec tiv e o f two b l ac k m a i d s, A i b il ee n C