White parents: Here?s how to (and how not to) talk to your kids about racism
When I think about the horrific things that happened in Charlottesville, it?s hard to find words. Or perhaps the problem is that the only ones that come to mind are of the four-letter variety and not appropriate for children. But we must find the words to talk about racism, prejudice and privilege in our families. We spoke with child development experts to get guiding principles to help start the conversation?and keep it going.
Don?t ignore it
Visible minority groups have no choice but to have the conversation with their kids early and often, but when we asked parents on Facebook how they were talking to kids about racism, many said they weren?t. ?I?m not surprised many parents aren?t having this conversation,? says Yamalis Diaz, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health?s Child Study Center in New York. ?Many parents avoid this conversation because it?s uncomfortable, they don?t know what to say, they?re afraid to say the wrong thing, and they want to ?protect? kids from negative information or images.? Let?s acknowledge that it?s a privilege to live in circumstances where avoidance is even an option. But for many parents, ignoring the topic is more of a default than a concerted choice, because we feel unequal to the task. What if I botch it" What if my kids ask me questions I can?t answer" But we have to push through anyway, because our discomfort must be less important than caring for those who ar...
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