Raise your hands if you’re a parent to small children and you’ve had to explain to them about racism, hate and the term “Black Lives Matter” within the last year? My children are 12, 7 and 3 and although they are quite young, I felt the need due to the state of our current world, to share about these topics with them.
The Asian community in the US and worldwide are under attack. We stand with them and speak out against racism. #StopAsianHate
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
MLK, Jr.
Dr. King said it best, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” I’m reminded of these words when communicating to my children about showing compassion and empathy towards other people and cultures that don’t look like them. Having friends of diverse backgrounds is something to be embraced and celebrated. I want my kids to know that diversity and inclusion is a great thing, not a bad thing. If we are all the exact same, what fun would that be?
Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud
I remember in 2016 hearing the phrase “Black Lives Matter” in response to the viral social media videos of unarmed black males being killed by law enforcement. The black community bonded together to march and protest in various states to bring attention to the injustices happening to our communities. At the time my boys were 8 and 3 and my daughter was not even born yet. I didn’t feel the need to share specifics with them due to their age. Fast forward to 2020 and the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd really opened my eyes to what it means to be a black parent.
Unfortunately, these are topics we cannot afford to avoid. So with a heavy heart I shared what being black in America means to them as individuals and how some people may perceive them in a negative light solely based on the color of their skin. Even with all of the disparities and hang ups I wanted them to know and be clear that we are proud to be black. Saying Black Lives Matter does not mean other lives do not matter. We are simply calling out for a need to be seen and heard and to remind the world that our lives matter too.
Raising Strong Daughters & Leaders
Where were you when you found out that a female would become Vice President? I remember feeling excited to see another glass ceiling being shattered. I immediately became elated for my 3 year old daughter to have yet another example to show her that her gender can’t hold her back. I was equally excited for my two boys to see women in places that are male dominated. It’s never too early for them to learn that women can do some of the same things that males can do too. Thank you Madam Vice President Kamala Harris for showing little brown girls and all little girls and boys in general what determination looks like. We salute you!
How can we be the change we want to see?
Personal development can be hard when we are having to face our own inadequacies and really take a look in the mirror to see what we need to work on within ourselves. Do we harbor any unchecked biases that we’ve learned to inherit over the years? Maybe phrases or terms you’ve heard from family members as a child that you use but know that it’s cruel or harbors a stereotype? Thankfully organizations and universities like University of South Florida offer diversity and inclusion training that are open to the public.
Join me in taking a seven week course to unlearn some things that have gone unchecked. Let’s work together to being the best versions of ourselves that we can be. Click here https://bit.ly/3cV03bS for a free 14 hour certificate course on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace. Once completed you will have the option to display a diversity badge on your LinkedIn profile. Register by March 24, 2021 to secure your spot.
Leave a Reply