by Sira Williams

We all want a brighter future for our children, but in order to get to the other side of where we are today, we need to listen to one another, ask questions, and engage in uncomfortable conversations. As adults we should do this with our friends, families, neighbors and coworkers. But we must also do it with our children. Normally, parents want to protect their kids from unsettling events in the news. We want to shield them from the ugly realities of our society for as long as possible. That’s why racism and police brutality are subjects rarely discussed in the classroom or at the family dinner table.

In fact, it may never occur to some who are personally unaffected by these issues to talk to their kids about them at all. Sadly, that’s not the case for people of color. Most black and brown children are introduced to these concepts early and often by their parents and caregivers in order to prepare them for situations they will surely encounter. Ready or not, and often sooner rather than later, the day will come when they will have their own experiences to draw from. So don’t be fooled into thinking your children are too young to talk to about these matters. They’re not, but they do need tools and guidance in order to learn and grow.

If you’re hesitant to start such a conversation, reading with your child is one way to do it. Regardless of their age or maturity level, there are books that can help introduce the issues of race, diversity and justice to your child. Books that include black characters or stories told in their voice may be eye-opening, thought-provoking, and inspiring. You can find such stories at all levels and genres from picture books, junior fiction, and graphic novels to biographies and nonfiction.

Be prepared to answer questions and share your own experiences and ideas about prejudice, privilege, discrimination and fairness. Fairness is a concept that all children understand. “That’s not fair!” has probably been uttered by every single child on the planet. Knowing that feeling of being wronged may give them insight into how people of color feel today as a result of a long history of unfair treatment. See how this can lead to a conversation about one or all of the above-mentioned topics?

Depending on your own level of knowledge, you may find yourself learning together with your older kids, and that’s okay. Be honest and admit when you don’t know something. There are so many subjects to explore. Slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter Movement are just a few. Remember, Black history is not only about suffering and oppression but also about dignity, creativity, inventiveness, and brilliance. This exceptionalism should be emphasized as well.

“At this point, there’s no correct place to begin – just begin. ”

The following list includes books for a range of ages that can help start the discussions you need to have about racism and social justice. There are many lists circulating online, too. At this point, there’s no correct place to begin – just begin. Read with your children. Read on your own. If they can read, encourage them to. Answer their questions. Ask them questions. Engage. We will all be better for it. The Red Bank Public Library will also be posting a series of Family Story Times on Race & Diversity on Saturday mornings at 11:30 in June. These are meant to be conversation starters for families with children ages 7 and up. They will be posted on our Facebook Page and our YouTube Channel. We encourage you to follow us and participate.