I’m here to listen, learn, & to do better

Tuesday was a day of silence on my platform. Not because the very REAL issue surrounding racism should be silenced, but because it was time for me to reflect, listen, & figure out ways to move forward in solidarity.

⁣I learned that “protecting” my children from racism does more harm than good. Making statements like “we're colorblind” ignores enduring systems of classifications that privilege white people and disadvantage BIPOC. This awareness won’t happen by avoiding racial discussions all together, it will only occur when I expand the scope of their understanding about it.⁣
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I learned I should keep these conversations going even when we’re not in a moment of national outrage. That listening to the black community is the best place to start, and to make sure I do whatever I can to answer my own questions to avoid putting that labor on BIPOC - it’s not their job to educate me.⁣
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I learned to think more critically about what I do on an everyday basis. Having conversations with my babies is important, but my behaviors can so easily reproduce the forms of racial inequality I’m claiming that I’m challenging. Books around the home, who we consistency see & invite over, and how I respond to racist stereotypes made by friends/relatives. ⁣
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While my trio lack a basic understanding of the world, I learned it’s never too early to teach them about race & racism. I followed some accounts that are not only great resources for parenting through a critical race lens, but also share diverse book recommendations to add to our collection that was severely lacking BIPOC. @theconsciouskid, @hereweeread, & @blackbabybooks got me started. I complied a few of the board/baby books I was able to find scattered through their posts or blogs, and purchased: Lola Plants a Garden, Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!, Leo Loves Baby Time, & Ten, Nine, Eight. My plan is to continue adding diverse books to my collection as the triplets age to keep up with their comprehension & growth.⁣
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We are our children’s best teachers. If my husband and I live every day in an anti-racist way, they will follow our lead. I’m here to listen, learn, & to do better.⁣