Ever since we launched little Lola & tots back in 2016, the message has been clear – we believe in diversity and inclusion. I think that lately we hear those words A LOT and many believe them to be interchangeable when they are not. The idea behind our programming is one that aligns with my own parenting style of embracing our roots, exploring different cultures and respecting, and honoring, our differences. But, what does it mean to be an anti-racist parent?
I think we seldom take the time to think about the racial biases we have adopted and in order to be an anti-racist parent, you must take the time to look inward and reflect on your own relationship with race. As a mother, I want to break familiar narratives that I’ve grown up hearing. Changing the script is necessary in order to raise a new generation of leaders. It’s not just about buying dolls of different shades or diversifying your little one’s library. It is about diversifying your own social circles and including different people in the important conversations, especially those geared toward change.
As a person of color, how can you empower your children when you are not able to self-advocate because that idea seems so unfamiliar. As a daughter of Latino immigrants the idea that we, as a people, have to remain passive or quiet because white meant better was at the forefront of every interaction growing up. The implicit messaging was that white was right… white doctors and teachers were never questioned. As a mother, it is my responsibility to change the script. I want my daughters to speak their mind, confident in their skin, empowered by their native tongue. As we continue exploring race, as parents we must get comfortable with the uncomfortable and be honest about the skin we want or need to shed in order to raise an empowered, multicultural generation of anti-racists.
