The events of the past few months have left many parents wondering how to explain everything to their kids, while other parents have been having these hard conversations since their children were little. Race may seem like an uncomfortable conversation, but it’s never been more important for parents to teach their children about our racism — and racial inequality — to help spur change in this generation and beyond. It’s only uncomfortable to never talk about these things and send our children into the world unprepared for the realities of our society today.
Many celebrities have been vocal about how they plan to teach their own kids about these important topics. From white moms admitting confronting their complacency, to Black parents who never had a choice but to talk about these things, they all have some pretty good advice for the rest of us who are also educating our own kids.
Kerry Washington reframes how Black history is taught
Brie Bella is trying to be a role model
Mom-of-two Brie Bella is determined to set an example when it comes to treating people equally, especially for her daughter Birdie who is now three years old.
“We have to educate our kids,”she told Entertainment Tonight, Us Weekly reports. “We don’t want to shelter them because they’ll never learn. I’m Birdie’s first teacher. I’m her first role model. I’m the first person to teach her to love, so it’s my duty as a parent to instill in her love, kindness and peace.”
Tia Mowry needs people to be anti-racist
It’s not enough to just not be racist, we need to actively be anti-racist. That’s what Tia Mowry is teaching her two kids.
“It starts at home. What people have to understand is this behavior is learned, so it’s about communication. It’s about bringing awareness. It’s about sharing stories. It’s about teaching your child about different cultures, at home, at a young age,” the actress said on the Being Bümo podcast. “I think what’s important, and how you can be anti-racist, is not running away from the problem and saying, ‘Oh, gosh, you know what? This is a little much. I’m not even gonna talk to my child about this.’ No, I think we all should have this conversation.”
Kelly Clarkson says have those "uncomfortable" conversations
On her talk show in June, Kelly spoke to 50 Cent about how she explains the state of the world to her young daughter. “My little girl is 6 and it’s like she catches something, like the news or something, I just have to explain it simple,” Kelly said. “It’s just like, ‘Well, there’s just right and wrong. And this person’s wrong and that’s why they’re crying.’ … And I think everybody needs to have that uncomfortable conversation that [racism] exists and it’s wrong.”
Reese Witherspoon is a positive voice for her children
Reese made a great point on Instagram that “if you aren’t talking to
[your kids], someone else is.” So the best way to make sure that our kids are getting the right kind of dialogue about this issue is to have it ourselves.
“We have to be held accountable for what is happening in this country. What happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery – and countless others – can not go without justice. Please talk to your children about racism, privilege, bigotry and hate,” Reese Witherspoon added.
Will do, Reese.
Garcelle Beauvais leads with positivity
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais told Us Weekly that the race conversation started when her kids were really young. “I didn’t want anybody to put any negative connotation on the fact that I’m Black, their dad is white,” she said. “We talked about race early … since they were three … It was just getting ahead of it and putting a positive spin on it before somebody else said something to them.”
Hilaria Baldwin says parents need to bring it up first
Hilaria Baldwin has several children with Alec Baldwin, and she’s no stranger to these tough talks.The biggest thing, she says, is to initate the conversation. “Even if they don’t bring [these things] up first, we must begin conversations to prepare them for what they will experience out in the world. Of course, in an age-appropriate way,” she advised.
