So many people have expressed such eloquent and important thoughts on George Floyd’s death and all that has followed. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I might contribute other than my support and voting power. What I can add beyond my profound sadness that we still seem so far away from this:
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King Jr. 1963
These words, so often quoted, still have the power to move me regardless of how many times I read or hear them.
In the past few weeks, many educators have put forth excellent recommendations for books and films to foster a better understanding in our children of racial injustice and prejudice. While these certainly can promote understanding, family conversations are vital as well.
I think the most important thing we can do in the wake of George Floyd’s death is to talk to our children about prejudice. Understanding our own prejudices can help us learn how to address prejudice in others and develop empathy for those affected by prejudice.
Everyone has prejudices. Whether race related or not, we all have them.
Here is a fairly tame example – I am prejudiced against people who appear overconfident, bossy, mean, or vain. The key word is APPEAR. They appear to have these traits. I don’t know the person.
Doubtless, my prejudices are based on the fear that they will bulldoze me, boss me, hurt me, or bore me. I am basing my prejudice on appearances and my reaction on fear.
Talk with your kids about recognizing and understanding prejudice as a form of fear and how they might work to overcome it. How might they address prejudice in themselves and others and make a difference by their thoughts, actions, words, and votes? How can we all be brave?
"We will someday be someone else's ancestors. If we do this right, they will inherit not our fear but our bravery." Valarie Kaur 2019
