As a black mom with a black son, it is my goal and duty to establish normalcy, positivity, and reinforcement of our black culture. And of course, other cultures too.
In my early childhood my family and I moved back and forth from Louisiana to Texas. Although, my school experiences in both states differed, there was one simple constant . . . us kids said some pretty hurtful things! Often times those hurtful things involved targeting shame towards skin color, hair texture, body size, facial and body features — all things that makes us unique and beautiful but yet somehow is seen as a disgrace to others. It’s one of the reasons why my heart crumbles when I think of my sweet boy facing this world on his own one day.
Instilling confidence in our son and educating him will play a huge part in how he perceives and handles racial slurs, stereotypes, societal stigmas, racial inequalities, and all things that an innocent, sweet, little black boy (and one day a black man, husband, and father) risks experiencing. All because of his milk chocolate skin. All because of his rich course coils. All because of his big beautiful brown eyes and full lips. All because of our nations lack on dismantling and abandoning the issues that are injustice and entrapped for black men, women, and children.
As a mother, or simply a human being, I could never imagine approving my child to belittle someone based on who they are, what they look like, or where they come from. Being a parent is a gift. A pure gift. Why would any parent want to take such a gift and submerge it with hate, cruelty, or insensitivity? It starts in the home and our villages we’ve built to help raise our children. As parents it is our duty to take control and lead by example. We must raise kind humans . . . So that they can raise kind humans. . . And so forth. We have to be the change to see the change!
In efforts in doing so, below is a list of books to assist:
- A Child’s Introduction to African American History: The Experiences, People, and Events That Shaped Our Country (A Child’s Introduction Series) by Jabari Asim
- I am Brave: A Little Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer
- We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street) by Bobbi Kates
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Pendfold
- When I Pray for You by Matthew Paul Turner
- When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
- Skin Like Mine by Latashia M. Perry
- I AM… Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys by Ayesha Rodriguez
- I AM… Positive Affirmations for Brown Girls by Ayesha Rodriguez
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
- Brown Boy Brown Boy What Can You Be? by Ameshia Arthur
- Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke
- Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A. by Arlisha Norwood
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
- Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
- Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
- Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? by Patrice McLaurin
- Dad, Who Will I Be? by G.Todd Taylor
- Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
- Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
- Look What Brown Can Do! by T. Marie Harris
- The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath (Amazing Scientists) by Julia Finley Mosca
- The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson
- Brown Boy Joy by Dr. Thomishia Booker
- Chocolate Me by Taye Diggs
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
- I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
- The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
- Teach Your Dragon About Diversity: Train Your Dragon To Respect Diversity. A Cute Children Story To Teach Kids About Diversity and Differences by Steve Herman
- All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Feel free to share or even repost this! The more we inform each other and work together, the better we all can be!
