Topic
How to/when to talk about race and privilege
Date
Attendees
Presenter: Paige Schilt
Other Attendees: Merri S Wilson Megan Fortson Eva Reavley Jessica Silva, Mayra, Kelly Frazer, Liz (natural science), Hernandez, Kyle E, Julia D Chinnock Gonzalez, Andrea G, Caroline Enriquez, Tiffany
Discussion Notes
- Welcoming School
- Dr. Rebecca Bigler
- Conversations can look different from different families
- People with privilege often feel like it is a choice to have these conversations, but other people may not have the choice.
- Its our more privilgrd identities that we are not as used to speaking to.
- Kids are not blank slates and they are not color blind
- Kids brains are noticing ALL the differences and trying to sort out which ones are important and which ones are not.Brains are always trying to make meaning of differences
- In absence of saying anything racist, they will notice segregated spaces and try to determine what that means for them.
- Kids tend to have in-group preferences (blue shirt vs red shirt preference)
- Even if we are not explicit, they are still going to make meaning, but they are making meaning in a segregated/racist society.
- Color Blind language: "just be nice to everyone" "we treat everyone equally" but most racism is implicit
- it is scary and we are afraid of making mistakes, but remember you have access to your kids over a long period of time and you can always repair if you mess up!
- In fact, being more transparent with kids, the better!
- Often we are more comfortable talking about gender versus race identity and stereotypes.
- Remember that it will take kids a while and they will ask the same questions over and over to understand categories and how to "sort" people.
- This iterative/repetitious process gives you plenty of time to "try again" in getting the refine your answers each time for your kids.
- The most important thing to show our kids is that repair is possible. We need to have self-compassion and model HOW to repair.
- Social Identity Wheel: Documentation Status, first language, sexual orientation, romantic orientation, socioeconomic class, race/ethnicity, religion, age, ability, gender expression, cis/transgender identity, gender identity,
...
Come at everything with compassion!
Action items