A New Year is here – it’s finally 2021! Here’s to leaving the chaos of 2020 behind and embracing peace, love, and new hope for our future.
In today’s post, I’m asking you to put equity at the center of your 2021 journey. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment - although if that’s your preference, go for it!
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I believe in the power of small actions – taken by many – as a path to widespread change. So, here’s my request.
1. Pick one small intention focused on equity.
2. Write it down.
3. Share with your family and friends.
4. Ask them to join you and ask them to encourage others to do the same.
Our small choices can add up to create larger impact – not just in our actions, but also in driving conversation about, and attention to, equity in our communities. What does a small equity intention look like? You could…
Commit to reading one book on equity Social Justice Books (goodreads.com)
Read this article on 100 race-conscious things you can say to your child to advance racial justice - Raising Race Conscious Children. Try one.
Choose one local equity organization and sign up for their newsletter and commit to forwarding, sharing, and discussing any which speak to you.
Explore anti-racist parenting and try one new idea. (P.S. Next week’s blog topic is Anti-Racist Parenting 101)
Update your child’s library with inclusive books Children’s Books | EmbraceRace (includes books for children of all ages)
Let go of counterproductive parenting ideas such as “Being Better Than” and “Being Ahead”
* Does your child need to be accelerated in math? Probably not (read here).
* Are AP classes the best way to college success? Not necessarily -
* Consciously letting go of expectations like these relieves community pressure
on schools, on kids, on parents and opens up space and bandwidth for students
for all students.
Prioritize kindness. What does your parenting value? Grades and success? Or caring and fairness?
* This question has deep implications for the quality of student relationships
(including racism, sexism and other ~isms) in schools.
* Read more here and chose one suggestion to try in your parenting. The Children
Talk to your family about micro aggressions:
* In a high school discussion about race, a bi-racial student notes that she is the
only non-white group member. In response, she is asked “What are you, anyway?”
* This is a microaggression. Have you/your children experienced
microaggression? Perpetuated one? Start the conversation with your family.
* Resources here:
One small step – shared with family and friends - brings issues of equity into community conversation. Where will you start?