Discussing Race and Colorblind Racism with Children

On October 25 we delivered our panel discussion, We See Color: Discussing Race and Colorblind Racism with Children. Panelists included three young people who shared inspiring and powerful stories about their first memories of racism and how these incidents impacted them. Through their experiences, we were able to engage in dynamic conversation. Together as parents, educators, and professionals we learned how apprehensive parents can have open, honest and real conversations about race, identity, privilege, difference, and racism.

The examples made it clear that we will not eradicate racism by pretending that it doesn’t exist. Children of all races are affected by racist remarks and actions every single day in implicit and explicit ways. The panel provided real time advice and strategies for parents to build courage and learn the language to be transparent and age appropriate with their children. The youth and their testimony was the highlight for me and I truly could have listened to them all evening. Ever dynamic, they were able to provide responses to one final question offline that I wasn’t able to ask during the live panel.

What advice do you have for parents who are wanting to have conversations about racism with their children but feel unsure or inadequate?

Linden Burack (16)

Harper Capuano (13)

I’m not a parent, but my recommendation is to at least start the conversation now. In a child-version, don’t sugarcoat the reality that racism isn’t cool and you don’t want to be racist at all. If a parent feels inadequate, they need to remember that they at least know more than their kid and they can start with what they do know and what they perceive. To me, saying “I don’t know enough” is a dismissive response. If you don’t know it, do your research and look it up. If you don’t teach them to be antiracist eventually they will be shaped by a racist society. As a young Black man, I would like this next generation of kids to do better and be better so that people like me are more safe in this world, are uplifted and our history celebrated.

Lauryn White (15)

My advice to parents is to not make it too complicated. Understanding race and teaching about race shouldn’t be made difficult. Check in to see what your child may already know or have already experienced in regards to race and racism. Read and learn about it yourself. Answer your own questions through your own research first then anticipate what you think your child may ask or say. Bring in some youth friendly literature/books to help start the conversation. You may find that the books may also help explain what you want to say. Then have a discussion about it. Speak in a way that makes sense to you so that you can easily clarify what you mean.

In case you missed the live class you can watch the program on demand via 540s’ vimeo page:

We are thankful for the financial sponsorship of Parenting Village and Tree of Hope Counseling for helping make this event possible.

For upcoming events, classes and panel discussions with 540WMain, please visit 540westmain.org/our-classes.