On this episode of The Momologist™, learn why “I don’t see color” is not the goal, the difference between being an active ally and a co-conspirator, and tools to prepare your home to be an anti-racist environment.

In an era when many questions about race have centered around whiteness, Britt Hawthorne’s book Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide (Released Today - June 7, 2022) centers on people of the global majority. Community is at the heart of antiracism, she explains, and this book includes sections from fifteen diverse contributing authors offering their lived experiences. In addition to raising her two children Britt has an extensive background in education both traditional and Montessori, and while the book is contained within the antiracist framework, many of the principles and teachings contribute to raising well-rounded children in general. 

Children, especially those from birth through eight years old have a natural curiosity to learn, especially from their environment. Therefore, it’s important that parents serve as models for their children’s behavior, while also showing that mistakes are allowed. We are all mysterious beings Britt says, and we need to honor that mystery. 

Quotes

• “We’re thinking of it as a lifestyle, we’re thinking of it as something that we’re constantly practicing. So these principles are something that we’re always practicing in order to uphold the values of antiracism.” (17:29-17:40 | Britt) 

• “Folks can get caught up in anti-racism being about dismantling and disrupting, but it’s also about building, imagining, creating and giving yourself permission to dream. (18:58-19:14 | Britt)

• “We’re not trying to tell our children what to think. Anti-racism is about critically thinking.” (23:56-24:00 | Britt)

• “I also think about how some folks are nervous to engage in anti-racism. And a lot of times what they cite to me is, ‘I’m worried I might say the wrong thing. I might do the wrong thing.’ Some folks will say, ‘But what if they accuse me of being performative?’ Those are all things that are rooted in perfectionism.” (31:34-31:55 | Britt)

• “If we are modeling and holding ourselves to this perfection, it doesn’t allow us to take risks. It certainly don’t allow us to fail really beautifully. It doesn’t allow us to learn.” (32:24-32:36 | Britt)

• “So the goal isn’t ever to become ‘unbiased,’ as I’ll sometimes hear folks talk about. The goal is to really understand the ways in which your brain has made fast decisions or short-cuts that not only hold you back from your fullest potential but also hold them back from their fullest potential.” (38:14-38:33 | Britt)

• “Curiosity is at the heart of everything that I do.”(51:58-52:02 | Britt) 

• “It’s always the right time, and it’s always the right thing to speak the truth.”(55:08-55:12 | Britt) 

 

Raising Antiracist Children Book by Britt Hawthorne:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Raising-Antiracist-Children/Britt-Hawthorne/9781982185428

 

Website:

www.Britthawthorne.com

 

Britt’s Curated Booklists:

https://bookshop.org/shop/britthawthorne

 

IG: @britthawthorne 

 

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The Momologist™ is a production of The Reel Media Group. 

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