Lucy
On racism I cannot be neutral. Therefore, I cannot be silent. To feel bad, yet actively do nothing, is to say that racism is OK.
As a white person, my concern at saying something in the right way, so as not to offend, is pure privilege and is nothing compared to the fear and anger black people are experiencing every day.
As a white woman I must use my privilege to listen and learn and, most importantly, I must teach this actively to others.
I am a parent and never has there been a bigger responsibility within that role. I want my children to understand their privilege and to feel confident to use it for good and to always be questioning the white rhetoric around them.
It’s not enough to say ‘my child will never say anything racist to another’. We must aim higher and be better and insist that ‘my children will grow to see the privilege of white people, to note when race isn’t mentioned and to feel injustice and they will call it out’.
Because this is a lifelong campaign for all of us. Whatever positive change happens, there are so many more mountains built on racism to overcome. Representation is a huge part of the change needed. People (children) of colour must see themselves in all spaces. It is seeing yourself represented that allows you to aspire, to dream, to try, to work, to feel good. But representation matters for me as a white parent too. I want my children to see representation of all colours and cultures around them so that they learn and understand and respect in their own life’s (and not just through my ‘mum’ teachings at home) and their privilege, to feel confident to use it for good, and to always be questioning the white rhetoric in the world around them.
There are huge numbers of resources flooding the internet and social media at the moment. It’s never been so easy to find out more. And I urge you to undertake this reading and listening. Do not mistake your white privilege for knowledge. Ensure there is representation in your library so that your knowledge is built on truth.
There are many everyday things you can do as a white parent to combat racism:
- Always challenge racist views out loud, whether from media, a story book, family and friends or the system. Model to your children that you do not stand for it.
- The characters in your children’s books should represent a range of race, culture and religion. The books your child reads should be diverse in character, in race, in culture, in religion.
- Toys should represent a range of race, culture and religion.
- When colouring and drawing with your child use different coloured pens for skin colour, add on different hair types and draw out different cultural dress.
- When you are consuming media where Race isn’t apparent, shine a light on it. Wonder aloud why all the film cast were white. Discuss what this means and how it may impact.
- Celebrate different religious and cultural dates in your home. If you live in a culturally divers area there will be opportunities to support local and learn within your community. Find out what your children may already know.
- Bring world foods into your home. Have fun trying new things and wondering together about where in the world foods have come from, what this country has taken for its own, how important food traditions are.
- Encourage and welcome your children’s friends of all races. If you encounter some resistance try harder. Other families may have had negative experiences before or there may be cultural beliefs that mean play dates need to happen differently.
- Sit with your older children and watch T.V/documentaries that covers race. Discuss.
- Find out what your children’s school are teaching in the syllabus. If you feel it’s too little / only in October for Black history month then challenge this. Use your privilege to make the school hear how many parents want representation in what children are taught.
If you feel bad/sad but do nothing differently then you tell your children that black peoples lives are just not as important.
