As the summer ends, we’re full of mixed emotions and feelings, and we can imagine you are too. Whether you’ve been juggling childcare and work or are sending your wee ones off to kindergarten or college(!) or a combination of everything, it’s a-ok.
As parents, we go through so much and as you lead into Fall, give yourself a bit of compassion and maybe even a gentle hug. You made it! You got through another summer! And that’s worth a celebration.
For those of us whose kids are returning to school, some of the same ole nonsense is at play. ICE continues to brutalize our communities. DEI is still under attack. Fascism is still on the rise. And schools continue to try to figure out how to deal with it all in ways that keep our children safe.
As parents, we also have a huge role to play in helping keep our kids safe. It matters how we show up in our school communities, and how we support educators in the task of giving our children an accurate and well-rounded education. It matters how we teach our kids to approach the joys and opportunities of school environments while acknowledging the limitations of any system, including the educational one, that will not teach them everything they need to know.
Writer and NAACP Image Award winner Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts said on the Instagrams, “I don’t think our ancestors dreamed only of our freedom. I think they also dreamed of our delight. Perhaps these are one and the same.” It’s on us to model and teach our kids about what it means to center our freedom and our delight.
As we enter the new school year, we offer 3 tips for back-to-school for us parents striving to be anti-racist during these fascist times.
Lead at the speed of relationship.
Be a part of the school community before a problem occurs. A school community is made stronger with an active parent body. There is power in community, the type that can fuel us and help us connect with each other’s humanity. And as you build community, seek out ways to do so that aren’t only in-person to allow for accessibility and allow for many types of interactions.
“Do not obey in advance”.
This is one of the key lessons in fighting tyranny. Do not let unjust practices of book bans, ICE in schools etc, just happen around your kids. Use your voice, especially if you hold privilege, to advocate for equity and safety in schools. This can be asking the school library about their book collections. It can be making sure booklists contain diverse authors, etc. It can be asking the superintendent what their plan is if ICE knocks on a school door. It can be showing up to school board meetings. Whatever you do, don’t be silent. Do not obey in advance.
Do the work at home
Us parents have power in the home to buy banned books for our kids, to teach them to speak up and to be empathetic, anti-racist, and kind. What we model and teach at home creates the foundation for what they will take into the school. We have an immense amount of power to teach our children about the type of community they deserve. The type where all kids are able to be safe and thrive. Go to the library to borrow books to read at home (or go to your local bookstore to add them to your family’s collection). Ask your kids about their history and social studies classes. Talk to them about how to resolve conflict. Show them a different way.
We’re in this for the long haul. Building communities of care and equity takes work. Stay engaged. Back to school can be an exciting time for many and a conflicting time for others. We try to make space for finding a balance somewhere in between.
We’re sending you so much love and care during this time. Take care, okay?
Tabitha and Adam