5 Tips for Raising Anti-Racist Kids

Alexandria Scott, a mother of three, created Ditto Kids magazine with the goal of helping parents and educators guide children through the work and journey of anti-racism.

“We need content that we can hold in our hands as we guide our children. We need help finding the words to explain some of the darkest corners of our society in a way that won’t scare our young children, and won’t diminish their self-esteem. We need something that will empower them and encourage their love for themselves and others around them while still giving them real history in a developmentally appropriate way- the information that we never really learned in school.”

The first issue is just being shipped now so quickly order one for the holidays, and follow Ditto on Instagram for more tips and updates.

I’d love to share 5 ideas to help parents as they guide their kids through their journey of anti-racism…

It’s crucial to do the work for yourself.

As a parent or primary home caregiver, you are your child’s first and primary teacher. They look to you for everything! They’re watching to see who your friends are, how you react to news of injustice, and they pay close attention to what you say or don’t say about race. In general, yeah, it’s mildly terrifying that our kids watch us all the time, but what a gift that even in a world that is beating down their little doors with a million conflicting ideas, if we educate ourselves in this work and act on it, the values we instill—love, compassion, self-respect, equality, and justice—will be the ones that stick.

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel.

While yes, educating yourself is important. And it will take significant time and energy. But, you don’t need to be doing thesis amounts of work. There are many anti-bias/anti-racism educators that teach themselves or create resources available. Ditto Kids magazine is a great resource to help you open up these important conversations with your child in a way that will empower them, not overwhelm them, but help guide them on their journey to becoming actively anti-racist. There are so many more out there! Support BIPOC educators and writers who are making these resources.

Be willing to be humble and teach your kids this quality as well.

I saw a meme that went around that said something along the lines of, “Things we should get comfortable saying on social media: I don’t know enough about that topic to comment on it … I need to take some time to think about this … My feelings make my judgment of this issue a bit cloudy …” If only we could all have this mindset when we find ourselves in a situation where … we don’t really know … instead of getting defensive and upset to cover up our embarrassment or our hurt. The anti-racist journey requires that we be humble. That we be willing to apologize. That we be willing to accept that you’re human and you make mistakes. Nobody is perfect, but because of your wonderful humanity, you can learn and grow and change and work to help create a more just world. And you can teach your children that they can do the same.

Thanks Alexandria for sharing this brilliant tips!  (Images for Ditto Magazine by Amy Hashimoto)