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Black Lives Matter movement

Assuming that your child/children are of speaking age, are you having conversations with them about the Black Lives Matter movement and if so, what are you saying? If not, what are you reasons for not talking about it?
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My kids don’t see colour or race if they see a child they want to play regardless of what the child looks like and I want to keep it that way

I think the earlier the better. Do we want to raise another generation of racists? I don’t 🤷🏼‍♀️

I feel like the best thing we can do is to have diversity around the home do they know it is normal. We have books with various ethnicity and disabilities etc. X

I think it is best to teach them at home.. Similar to the sex talk, if they don’t learn it at home they’ll learn it from classmates, & who knows what misinformation they’ll be told🤷🏾‍♀️

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I agree

My kids are 11 and 9, they don’t see color, they also don’t see their parents make any racism comment. they do see their black friends as any other kid, they see their parents black friends around just as any other. We don’t see color, our kids knows since very early on that God created us all, love us all the same, and we are all the same... even if society tries to tell you any different. Color don’t define us! I told my kids about George Floyd yesterday, they were heartbreaking, my kids first reaction was they hope justice gets done, and that they wish for a better world where racism doesn’t exist anymore. I’m with them. There’s still hope!

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"I don't see color" hurts people of color. Not hearing racist comments from you isn't the same as hearing antiracist comments from you. And racism isn't always overt. You need to do better and now is a great time to start. Happy to provide antiracist resources. https://theeverygirl.com/i-dont-see-color/

Mines not talking too much yet but I do read her this one book called a beautiful girl by Nikki something and it talks about different skin colors, hair colors/types, personalities and such. And if anyone else has any book suggestions please let me know💕

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This is a list specifically for teaching about racism and white supremacy: https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/books-teach-white-children-and-teens-how-undo-racism-and-white-supremacy That bookstore has other lists for diversity as well. Don't forget to buy local as you build your little's library!

Thank you thank you so much!💜 I will definitely save that link to my favorites!

Yes its so important to really explain diversity as children do "see color" even babies naturally differentiate and as they grow up they need to learn what this means. It's our job to tell them yes we are different but we can all be good people we can all succeed and help each other out no one race is better than the other. Here is a great resource list to help if you want to learn more! https://www.prettygooddesign.org/blog/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-5new4?fbclid=IwAR2Wm5YReBPOTlnMqzJkpM01uzmVhhk33F5SLIQ3BM8-5-AK5Vx_KHICF4s

My teenagers spent the last 4 years in schools where they were one of a handful of white kids in the school. This was after being in schools where there might have been one black kid per grade level. The counselors were worried they would be intimidated by the change. The only thing they ever seemed concerned about was my daughter saying "Mom I just don't want kids to treat me like they did Carli" the only black kid in her class at the last school. I think it's been great for them to be exposed to more of black history at school than they would have been in the south. My daughter has been eager to go out to the protests with her friends. Kids see color, it's just how it is. What matters is how you raise them to treat people. Teach them to see the beauty and worth of everyone.

My mom raised me telling me "people don't choose how they look, they choose how they act, that's what you base your opinion on" and I will tell my son the same. I'll also educate him on different cultures, and what racism is and how to fight it with appropriate ages.

My husband and I have spoken to our kids about the racism that still exists and persists today. Since they are still younger (8, 4 & 3) we dont really go too into detail about certain things. But we do mention it and make sure they're aware that it is not OK nor will it ever be OK to treat anyone different because of how they look or to treat anyone as if they are less than you. It is extremely important to us as parents that we raise empathetic children who are kind, respectful and helpful to those around them regardless of who it is they're helping. If someone needs help, help them. Always be kind. Do not judge someone before getting to know them for yourself. And never, ever be a bully. They are certainly aware of how we feel toward this issue and it's only right to make sure our children understand what's going on and what we can do on our part to help end it.

To those on this thread saying they/their kids “don’t see color”........I’d really encourage you to examine that belief. Because what you’re saying is that you’re unwilling to engage with people’s authenticity and you’re teaching your kids the same. It’s also keeping up a willful blindness to racism - in others and your own unconscious racial biases. This article explains it well https://www.google.ca/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/405037/ This video is even better https://youtu.be/h7mzj0cVL0Q

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👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

My kids are 3 and under so not yet.

My big kid is a white, middle class boy. If we, as his parents, don’t actively teach him about race, discrimination, institutionalized racism, and social inequality; then who will? They certainly aren’t teaching it in school. He certainly is not going to experience racial discrimination first hand. I refuse to raise a child that grows up to be oblivious to the plight of others.

I sat my big kids (10 and 8) down the other day and talked about what is happening is our country currently, but we do talk about racism often. Living in Georgia, we are not far removed from racist people. I told them what happened to George Floyd and that things like this have happened too many times. People are hurt and angry and want change. We talked about how easy it is to say that we “aren’t racist” rather than doing the hard work of finding the ugly things within us that are, in fact, racist. That as white people, we can do things without someone being suspicious of our intentions, but black people don’t get to have that. They are just living their lives and others are suspicious of them with no reason other than the color of their skin. My girls are so emotionally aware and sensitive. They cried a lot during this conversation, but it needed to be talked about.

My children are 5 and 3 and 8 months. The extent of their attention span is ABCs and LOL dolls. I’m not actively avoiding it. If something pops up, I have no problem explaining what they are seeing or hearing. Mines more of a if it comes up or they see it I’ll say something. But for a 5 year old, they really don’t know the difference between black and white and I want it to stay that way as long as possible.

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Also note: I didn’t say “color blind.” I meant they judge kids based on their character not their skin color

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My son is 2.5yo and can speak, but I don’t think he’d understand the situation. We haven’t even really discussed COVID with him. We just started staying home and he went with it without any issues. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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