LAST LOOK
As early as 6 months, a baby can notice race-based differences, by ages 2 to 4 children can internalize racial bias and, by age 12, kids can be pretty set in their beliefs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Parents around Find perspective from local parents about the challenges of racism and racial injustice, as well as the beauty to be found in affirming and celebrating our differences on our blog at metrofamilymagazine.com/ hashtag-parenting. Celebrating differences the metro striving to raise anti-racist, culturally-inclusive children agree: exposing kids to a variety of races and cultures through experiences, toys, books and conversation makes a dramatic difference in their empathy and inclusivity.
“Raising a child in a culturally different background than one’s own and in an intercultural marriage is challenging. It takes a great deal of communication and negotiation of cultural differences.” Local dad and professor Dr. Mohamed Daadaoui shares the daily challenges and beauty of raising a Muslim child in multi-cultural America at metrofamily- magazine.com/american-by-roots-mo- roccan-by-memory.
“As his mother, I have to have tough conversations with him to prepare him for a world that will be threatened by his Blackness. I have to make sure he understands that he matters and that he is valuable.” Local mom Jillian Whitaker of @betterblacknews shares her fears and hopes in raising her Black son at metrofamilymagazine.com/ raising-a-black-son.
“As a Black father, I face a number of stressors as I parent my children. A common parental stress is when our children earn their driver’s license. A few months ago, my son and I were pulled over and the atmosphere was immediately hostile. I knew this was going to be an unfair stop, something I’d experienced before, but it would be a first for my son.” Local dad Travis Hartfield writes about the Black community’s sense of grief and loss, shares a terrifying lived experience and gives heartfelt advice to move us all forward, together, at metrofamilymagazine. com/black-father-grief.
“I’m a white 36-year- old mom in Oklahoma City and I’m committed to being anti-racist. I am learning every day, alongside many of you, how to be a better ally and I will forever be honest and open about what that never-ending journey looks like for me as a mom and as a member of the Oklahoma City community.” Erin Lawrence
“We are the white parents of Black children. Every day, but especially in the wake of senseless deaths like that of George Floyd, we find ourselves living squarely between our white privilege and our deep and growing
understanding of racial injustice.”
gives an honest look into her journey, including what’s she’s learned about herself and how she’s talking with her children about being anti-racist at metrofamilymagazine.com/mom-committed-to-being- anti-racist.
Ryan McGee shares the realities of his children encountering racism and how he and wife are navigating the space between their privi- lege and their children’s lived experiences at metrofamilymagazine. com/white-parents-black-children. Photo by Sara Sanders.
48 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / AUGUST 2020
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