America is [has always been] failing black Americans. 

Black Americans represent 13 percent of the population but account for 25 percent of the COVID-19 deaths.  Black people are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of white people. Black women are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. 

As people sharing this collective experience, we have to do better.

Racism dehumanizes.

Silence about racism makes us complicit.

As a parent, I can’t help viewing this through the lens of motherhood: 

“Silence about race removes the opportunity for children to learn about diversity from their parents and puts it in the hands of media and misinformed peers.”

White families often ignore the issue of racism because it makes us uncomfortable.  

I assumed that being “colorblind” [not calling attention to race] was somehow showing our daughters that everyone was equal – but we can only end racism by talking with our children about how it unfair it is; by acknowledging that we often judge people based on appearance and by calling attention to the horrible cost of such behavior.

We have a responsibility to speak with and raise race conscious children; to teach them that treating all people fairly matters.

A daunting task…

So – in order to help channel some of my deep sadness and outrage – I have compiled a list of resources, leaning heavily into parenting insights and advice below.

I hope this is helpful and hopeful.