Challenging Conversations: Empower Kids to Discuss Race, Equity, and Justice

“I don’t want to be shot. I don’t want to die,” my son said as he entered the kitchen. I was taken aback. Where was this coming from? He continued, “I want to live to an old age. Like older than Papa and Gigi.”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded. He replied, “I’m kinda afraid of the police because I don’t want to be shot. I don’t want to be a police officer either because the bad guys might fight back and refuse to listen and some police get killed.”

I was astonished that he was thinking this way.

This conversation took place during the summer when Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, five Dallas officers, and three Baton Rouge officers were murdered.

I’m pretty vocal about my views on social media. However, at home, I try to shield him from the atrocities of the world. I was shocked by his concerns and knowledge of events, to say the least. He’s not old enough to have a social media account, and we stream TV. I do enjoy watching documentaries, and occasionally I’ll have him watch them with me. But that’s history, and his concerns were about present-day activities. So, where was this coming from?

5 Tips for Education on the Go: Make Learning Fun

If you are a busy parent, like me, who’s always on the go from sunup to sundown dropping the kids off at school, heading to work, attending meetings, school functions, and sporting events – Whew! My heart is racing just thinking about everything…then you’ve probably felt guilty for not having enough time or “quality time” with your children. I have two kids (a boy and a girl) who are six years apart, my son is the oldest. I try to use the time we have in the car together as a distraction-free zone. Since I’m a former educator, that means we’re usually doing some type of educational activity on the go. However, it’s all fun, and what child doesn’t enjoy undivided attention from Mom or Dad?

First things first: TURN OFF THE CAR RADIO