White parents, it's time to do the work this Black History Month
Photos: Popular children's books on race
Here's a children's book list of Amazon Best Sellers
to help educate little ones (and adults) on equality, social justice
and more. They include "Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry, who also won an
Oscar for his short film of the same name.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
An
Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year selection, "All Are Welcome" by
Alexandra Penfold welcomes a group of children from different
backgrounds to play at school together.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
"AntiRacist
Baby" is a children's book by 2019 Guggeneim Fellow Ibram X. Kendi,
also author of the current bestseller for adults, "How to Be an
Antiracist."
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
Cecilia
Marley, the oldest child of reggae legend Bob Marley, wrote "One Love"
to celebrate her father's music with a new generation.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
In writing "I Am Enough," Empire actor Grace Byer wants children to know that they can love themselves and be enough.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
Vashti Harrison introduces her little readers to "Little Leaders: Bold Women in History," black women who made history.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o introduces us to "Sulwe," a girl whose skin is as black as midnight.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
In
"Teach Your Dragon About Diversity," Steve Herman teaches dragons that
their skin color or wing differences make them beautiful.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
Actress
Kristen Bell asks everyone to become Purple People and bring their
communities together in "The World Needs More Purple People."
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
Elmo,
Bird Bird, Bert and Ernie and the rest of the Sesame Street gang
explain that "We're Different, We're the Same," in the 1992 classic by
Bobbi Kates now topping the Amazon children's best seller list.
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Photos: Popular children's books on race
Here's a children's book list of Amazon Best Sellers
to help educate little ones (and adults) on equality, social justice
and more. They include "Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry, who also won an
Oscar for his short film of the same name.
Hide Caption
1 of 10
Photos: Popular children's books on race
An
Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year selection, "All Are Welcome" by
Alexandra Penfold welcomes a group of children from different
backgrounds to play at school together.
Hide Caption
2 of 10
Photos: Popular children's books on race
"AntiRacist
Baby" is a children's book by 2019 Guggeneim Fellow Ibram X. Kendi,
also author of the current bestseller for adults, "How to Be an
Antiracist."
Hide Caption
3 of 10
Photos: Popular children's books on race
Cecilia
Marley, the oldest child of reggae legend Bob Marley, wrote "One Love"
to celebrate her father's music with a new generation.
Hide Caption
4 of 10
Photos: Popular children's books on race
In writing "I Am Enough," Empire actor Grace Byer wants children to know that they can love themselves and be enough.
Hide Caption
5 of 10
Melanie
L. Harris is associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion of
AddRan College of Liberal Arts and the School for Interdisciplinary
Studies at Texas Christian University; and the author of "Ecowomanism: African American Women and Earth-Honoring Faiths."
Jennifer Harvey is a professor of religion at Drake University and the author of "Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America."
(CNN)Black History Month is a celebration of Black excellence and you are invited.
Right
now, all over the United States, Black families are teaching the next
generation of Black youth with intention and care. Black History Month
is a time to consciously center and celebrate Black empowerment and
achievements, as well as the legacies of strength and struggle against
racism. It's a time to honor the whole of Black history, rooted in
rites, rituals and intellectual traditions from across the African
diaspora.
Black
History Month is more than 28 days of remembering. From a Black
perspective, the month is a deep acknowledgment of Black beauty, pride
and incredible faith and fortitude despite living through more than 400
years of oppression.
Rather
than just a moment to educate all about the heroism of Harriet Tubman
or the genius of cultural anchor Hank Aaron, Black History Month is a celebration of Black brilliance, community values and commitments to justice that are lived out 365 days a year.
So, what does Black History Month mean for teaching White youth with intention and care?
What better time than now to start teaching your child about Black history? Then keep it going all year long.
For
White families this might feel trickier. White people parenting today
may not have been raised with a focus on Black history, so they may not
feel like they know enough or know what to do. Some parents may know
it's important we all celebrate Black excellence but worry that
participating at home might be a form of appropriation. Others realize
that legacies of racial inequality and White privilege are the reasons
Black accomplishments are so remarkable. Acknowledging that might feel
complicated, even overwhelming.
So
where to begin? We want to suggest you start where you are. Here are 12
ideas for what to do (and a few things to avoid). Why 12 ideas? Because
Black history deserves your attention all year, and you can make a
commitment to practicing a new idea each month.
Lift up many Black figures
Black History Month is a great time to make learning about Black excellence
an ongoing part of family life. If you only know a handful of famous,
accomplished Black people, this is the time to broaden your kids'
horizon, and yours with it. Pick up a resource — there are many good
ones — and every night at dinner read about two people you've never
heard of before.
Focus on Black children and youth who have been freedom fighters
Children
get excited when they hear about other children. But also, kids receive
so many messages implying they have to wait until they are "grown up"
to make a difference. It's not true. What a perfect time to learn about
Black youth who have made change while teaching White youth they can
participate and do so, too.
Embrace the 'both/and'
When
we celebrate Black history there is a risk of sending a message that
what we're celebrating isn't also American history. It's important we
explain clearly to White children that one effect of racism is that not
enough of us have been taught about Black excellence and that's why we
need Black History Month. This also means we need to value and talk more
about Black history all the time; because Black history is American
history.
Celebrate Black joy and Black love
The
struggle against racism isn't the only feature of Black life. It's
important White youth aren't inadvertently taught Black people are
defined by racism. Find a resource that highlights Black cultural celebrations
such as Kwanzaa, the history of Black intellectual thought and the
glory of Black dance in America, and learn about it as a family.
But do teach about the struggle honestly
When
we celebrate "firsts," it's important to show why someone was a first.
Talk about the structures of inequality that have blocked Black
Americans from full access to their full rights in American democracy
and where those barriers still exist today. Without this context, White
youth may conclude President Barack Obama or Vice President Kamala Harris,
for example, are firsts because Black people were somehow behind. Be
explicit about ways racism gets in people's way. Black history isn't
just a story of the past. It's being made today.
Choose 12 books by Black authors
Invite
your kids to make these selections and read together between now and
next February. Doing this broadens your knowledge and supports Black
literature, art and creativity. It also makes dialogue about race and learning Black history ongoing parts of family life.
Commit to a Black-led organization
White
children should learn that justice doesn't grow without people coming
together to make that happen; this is just one of many truths of Black
empowerment. Honor Black History Month by finding an organization where
your family can join with others to create a more equitable world and
plug in for the long haul. Find a local chapter of Black Lives Matter or the NAACP, or join voter advocacy and criminal justice reform efforts being led by Black faith communities.
Ask your kids what they are learning in school
American
education systems have never provided a full, diverse, celebratory
account of Black contributions. Parents can make it a habit to ask
specifically what kids are learning in school. This creates opportunity
to correct, clarify and expand what they are learning. It might even
help you identify a role in supporting your school in offering fuller
accounts of our shared racial story.
Emphasize community
Amanda Gorman, the first youth poet laureate who gave a brilliant recitation during the presidential inauguration, talks about her family almost every time she speaks. Stacey Abrams,
the organizer from Georgia, was just nominated for a Nobel Peace prize.
She constantly reminds people her incredible accomplishments are the
accomplishments of many Black women. Black empowerment and achievement
is a story that emerges from community. Helping White children
appreciate this truth also helps them think about who they can be in
community with as well.
Celebrate Black leadership in your local community
Not
every Black person excelling is famous. There are people leading with
courage right where you live. Who are the visionaries, justice workers
and Black Americans who helped to shape the community you enjoy and
experience today? Ask this question with your children. Celebrate the
answers. And then, find ways for your family to support those leaders.
Black people are diverse
Black
people are also women who experience sexism. LGBTQ peoples are part of
the Black community. Support White youth in developing critical thinking
skills by exploring the intersections between identities and justice
movements. The Black Lives Matter movement, for example, was started by
three Black women who are also queer. It is deeply inclusive and
constantly recognizes intersections between racial, gender and
environmental justice, disability rights and more, creating pathways
toward equity that honor the innate worth and dignity of all Black life.
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