Every month our Congregation Connections program sends out a newsletter that includes a deep dive. The Deep Dive is an invitation to join us in learning more about compassion, justice, and equity. You can always let us know if you have a resource to share! You can read the whole August Newsletter here.
Deep dives are not just for adults! This month we’re encouraging you to also spend time talking to youth about issues of race and justice. Dr. Margaret Haberman, author of White Kids :Growing up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America, says,”kids are learning and hearing about race regardless of whether parents are talking to them about it.” Research shows that kids start to develop an understanding of race when they are toddlers.
There are resources out there to help with these conversations, such as this Parent Toolkit: How to talk to Children about Race and Racism. We also encourage you to read Beverly Daniel Tatum’s book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Important Conversations About Race.
As you head into your church’s youth curriculum planning, and your kids are entering the school year- pay attention to what you’re teaching and what your kids are learning. Racism has been built into our systems of education and we need to be aware and ready to address it when it shows up.