How to talk to your child about anti-black racism
These situations, and others like them, are sparking plenty of conversation about anti-black racism as well as police brutality, explained Carl James, a professor in York University’s faculty of education. It is especially important to discuss these matters with younger generations, he said, describing them as being tasked with finding ways to spark change.
Keeping this in mind, James encourages parents to talk to their children about systemic racism, including the injustices faced by black people as a result of it. The first step in doing this, he explained, is helping children understand who they are themselves. James emphasizes the idea of reinforcing to children that we do not exist independent of one another but as a collective and have all contributed to society in such a way.
But the bottom line, he said, is to help children understand the role that race can play in granting certain privileges and opportunities to one person and not to another. Equally as important is understanding how institutions play a role in facilitating this power imbalance. “I think they’re underestimating the child and what they’re able to learn,” he said. “Children are constantly interpreting the world around them.”
James made a similar discovery back in 1992 when he co-led an identical experiment at Toronto child-care centres. Knowing this, James explains that children often form opinions surrounding their relationships with those around them early on, which can have an impact on thoughts and behaviour later on in life.
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