Explaining Fascism & Resistance To Kids
Parenting under fascism sometimes means going back to basics.
Recently, one of our kids overheard us talking about one of the latest horrific actions by the government, and we realized that we haven’t really given them enough of the basics of what our country is going through.
So today, we’re going back to basics and exploring how to talk specifically about fascism and resistance with our children using simple language that they are more likely to understand. As always, we’re going to share with you some important Kid-Sized Definitions and some action steps to take with children.
Tabitha here: I feel like every time I sit down to write, I start with some version of “In today’s latest Trump travesties…” Every single day seems to bring a fresh dose of disaster, injustice, missteps and plain cruelty.
And yet, us parents are living through it with our young ones, wiping butts and tackling fevers while trying to show up for our families and communities. Try as you might, it’s virtually impossible to keep our parenting separate from what’s happening in this world. AND, just like anti-racist parenting, anti-fascist parenting requires us to find a way to live through this while doing the best we can to resist for the future we want to build for us and our kiddos.
As a Black mama to two Black multiracial children, I try to be intentional and upfront about the times we’re living in with our kids. But honestly, somewhere between homework, feeding our kids three times daily and managing a multitude of feelings about everything from who gets more cereal in the morning to what allowance is fair, some things have slipped through the cracks. And I realized we’ve been talking about fascism and resistance all wild and loose without actually ensuring our kiddos understand what these mean.
Adam here: We’ve repeated this many times and we’ll say it again. It is a privilege to not discuss these topics with kids. Even if we’ve spoken about specific topics like ICE or war or book bans, we need to give our kids the full picture of what is happening. Our goal isn’t to scare them. It’s to help them to understand the times within which they are living and process it in a healthy way.
So, today, we’re providing some support for you in talking with kids about Fascism and Resistance, along with action steps to take. Because what is anti-fascist parenting if all we do is talk amongst ourselves and clutch our pearls, right?
FASCISM
Kid-Sized Definition
Fascism is when one person has all the power, makes all the rules and punishes those who don’t agree with them or who don’t follow the rules. The rules are oftentimes very unfair and unkind to people with the least power.
Conversation Helper
Imagine if one kid on the playground made all the rules and bullied everyone who didn’t agree with them. Imagine if everyone around that kid, like teachers and other kids and even the principal, just let it happen and supported that one kid.
Open-Ended Questions
How would you feel if something like that happened on the playground?
How do you think the other kids would feel?
Why do you think the teachers and other kids and the principal would not try to stop them?
What would happen if they did try to stop them?
Action Item
What would you do if something like that happened on the playground?
What would you do to help the kids who are being hurt by the unfair rules?
RESISTANCE
Kid-Sized Definition
Resistance is fighting back against unfairness. Resistance means taking action against unfairness.
Conversation Helper
Imagine if there was an unfair rule on the playground that everyone had to pay $50 to use the swings. And imagine if one person said, “Nope! This is unfair! Everyone should be able to use the swings!” And they sat on the swing and refused to move until the rule was changed. That’s resistance.
Open-Ended Questions
Can you think of some ways we can resist unfair rules?
What are some big ways to resist injustice from people in power?
What are some little ways to resist unfairness?
Action Item
What are some unfair rules you’ve heard about that the government is using to hurt people? What do you think we can do to stop it?
Let’s list 2 things we can do this week - one big and one small - to resist the unfair rules by this government.
If you’re looking for some ways to get involved in resistance efforts with kids, be sure to read our series on The Do’s and Dont’s of Protesting With Kids, and Micro-Resistance when your family’s risk may be higher (e.g. for mixed status families and families of the global majority).
Do this one thing with your kids today!
If you’re looking for one time-sensitive action item to do with kids, read Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison’s article on preventing a federal book banning legislation. She provides a step-by-step guide on contacting your representatives and you can totally do this with older kids.
That’s it from us for today. If you’re off for Spring Break, enjoy! And if you have been observing Eid, Easter, Solstice, or Passover like we do, we hope you have found joy and community. Chag Sameach!
Tabitha & Adam