February is Black History Month, which is a time outside of both history class and Martin Luther King Jr. Day that youth may be exposed to black culture. In my experience, the K-12 education system neglected to highlight race and its complexities in the past and present. From revered black icons to systemic oppression, bringing awareness to youth increases their empathy for others, while understanding the importance of Black History Month and all it celebrates.
Kids are met with the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?,” often, which is true for adolescents and young adults, too. We hear the answers of a teacher, an astronaut, or a professional football player, coupled with a special person that child is hoping to emulate themselves after. Expanding a child’s worldview through role models can provide them with new dreams, and for black youth, seeing themselves in an icon with similar strengths as their own is empowering. While typical education systems introduce Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcom X, who were connected to the Civil Rights Movement specifically, there are countless more who are not only directly linked to the historical events of racism in our country. Simon Biles, the record-breaking gymnastics Olympian, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden in 2022, was in and out of the foster care system until age six. Simone has struggled with what is called the “Twisties,” which is explained as a disconnect between the brain and body while midair, and she has become a voice of advocacy and the importance of listening to one’s body. Maya Angelou, the famous poet who wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and won many awards over an impressive fifty-year career, was just three years old when her parents divorced. Quinta Brunson became the first black woman to be nominated three times in the comedy category at the 2022 Emmy Awards. She became known from her comedy bits posted to Instagram; she is the daughter of a kindergarten teacher and sibling of five. Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and winner of the Public Welfare Medal, became interested in astronomy as a young child and was involved in sports, including dance, in high school. These role models do not even scratch the surface of black icons who youth of all races may look to as what they want to be when they grow up. For black kids, these figures create positive racial identity. Although this information is accessible via the internet, it is not a resource all have, so bringing awareness is the role of many people in kids’ lives.
Educators may be limited in their capacity to teach black culture, whether that be because of time, curriculum requirements, or other reasons. Filling the gaps at home is essential; however, developmentally appropriate content increases understanding, depending on what stage a child is in. For example, PBS Kids speaks about racial differences in a way that is comprehendible to young children. Although this messaging is useful to all, adolescents are able to decipher through more advanced thinking. With various types of media accessible, there is a concern for youth being exposed to severe, anxiety-inducing rhetoric. Providing a space for open dialogue with youth to talk about oppression due to skin color is a way to manage this fear. An example of this is the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN in May of 2020. The brave woman who filmed the incident is why a sliver of justice was brought to the family, yet the resharing of the video online was traumatizing for black youth. The movement was propelled forward due to this, but the cost of that is insurmountable.
As it pertains to play therapists and further recommendations to parents, demonstrating inclusivity is a good first step. At Mary Determan MSW, LLC, each room that has figures includes known movies and television characters, baby dolls, and lay people of color. The artwork on the walls is also diverse, so youth see themselves in many ways when they are at the clinic. This can be reflected at home through toys right away, at any age. For those who are Caucasian, this small act presents the child’s world through play as being demonstrated by the world as it is. Other media parents may utilize is children’s books and videos. Already a central part of their repertoire, these resources are valuable in addition to inclusive toys. Below there are resources for parents linked.
https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14276
https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14276
https://www.pbs.org/video/pbs-kids-talk-about-race-and-racism-wgnsvf/