If not now, when? Through years and years of generational trauma, it is time for us to take a deep breather and break the heavy baggage chain. Including, generational burden and constricted perceptions.
Starting from a young age, one’s opinion about life can already be cultivated. You might be considering how to communicate to your kids about racism and discrimination gave the current global dialogues on racial equality.
To assist youngsters to understand the world around them, parents and caregivers have a crucial role to play. You may help your child realize that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect by promoting honest and open communication. If you want to start sooner, then when would be the right time to instill this mindset?
The truth is, there is never really the right time, but maybe the right timing. The right timing and effectiveness of communicating should be the main things to be considered. To break the generational stigma, it is up to future parents, to teach about a world that is more open and diverse. Not blinded by prejudicial and inferior beliefs to others. Regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social background, every kid has the right to a healthy, educated, and safe childhood. To realize this objective, systemic transformation to eradicate racism is required.
So, talking to kids about Racial discrimination should be badly normalized.
Starting young starts good foundations
Instilling a discussion of openness towards other races to your kids must be too deep for them to understand. Thus, you must start with things that settle with their intellect level. For example, there are now tons of books that allow tackling racial injustice to kids, that allow them to connect on a personal level. Storytelling books can be a great help for a more in-depth discussion in the future. Through this, you are allowing a world where race sees no boundaries—normalizing other cultures and diverse personalities in a young age. If a child grows up in an environment where this matter is greatly normalized, they will not have a problem in understanding and conceptualizing the injustice of racism. Your child may start pointing out and noticing distinctions in the individuals around you at this age, such as when you're at the park. Isn't it amazing that we are all so different? You may even raise your arm against theirs to demonstrate the variations in skin tones within your family if your youngster inquires about someone's skin tone.
Reflect on what you know, research on what you don’t know
Since you are the first-ever teachers a kid could have, the knowledge you convey to your child plays a big role towards the way of their think. After all, we are not perfect, we all have flaws that we continue to improve each day. Through this, we are bound to fall short in things that are beyond our control. However, uncontrollable, it is still preventable. Thus, teaching might not be our best score. So, reflecting on what you know and researching what you fall short of can be good practice—to prevent teaching your kids disinformation. Begin with acknowledging the significance of your assumptions, prejudices, and perceptions about race, discrimination, class, and identity. Take it upon yourself to educate yourself even if you are not expected to be an expert. Understand that learning is a process and that everyone has something to learn since these topics are challenging for several reasons.
Setting examples
Practice what you preach. Teaching your kids about being more open toward diversity when you do not practice instilling this in your life can be confusing for them. Confusing in a way that makes them question if what they are truly believing in is right or not. Be a good example of the attitudes and values you want your child to imitate. Along with discussing racism, showing your child that you are actively opposed to racism might encourage them to reflect on their behavior. If it is safe to do so, speak out against the racism you notice or encounter. Maintain your education, and if your kids are old enough, provide chances for you to study with them. Bring diversity into your home and respect a person's uniqueness. Your youngster may learn about everyone's right to receive fair and equitable treatment through media like books and movies.
Be more open to questions, and answer that levels their intellect
When you are disciplining a kid, you are bound to encounter tons of questions. Some may sound absurd, but it is still your responsibility to remain patient with them. Rather than mere patience, you should encourage your kid to ask more questions. This then intrigues them in a way, that keeps their interest at its peak. What inquiries is your youngster posing? What are they already aware of, and what causes them anxiety or worry? Encourage your kid to talk openly about social justice, injustice, and other topics by exposing them to age-appropriate, varied books, tales, and movies about other nations, cultures, and viewpoints. Older children may ask more challenging questions. Inform them if you are unsure of the response. If there is a solution, you may come up with a plan to discover it together and take advantage of the chance for mutual learning.
Share from your own experience
If you teach from experience, it will reach them more closely. If you have been a victim or a defender—every personal experience will become more valuable to your children. Each family will have a unique perspective on race and racism that is specific to you and the neighborhood you are in. It is entirely up to you whether or not you want to discuss your experiences with your kids; every parent and caretaker will have a different preference. Try outlining what you could say with an adult loved one first if you believe it is crucial for your child to comprehend your experience. Think about your child's potential reactions and what you can do to reassure them if they are fearful or frightened.
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