Kids aren’t born racist, so how do these biases get absorbed? What can you do to intentionally bring up anti-racist kids? Is it ever too early to start talking about race, and what are some ways to do so with your babies, toddlers, kindergarteners, and older children? Dr. Qadira Ali Huff has answers. Go listen.
Listen directly through our website player, or however you usually listen to podcasts.
What we talked about:
- What doe anti-racism mean?
- Celebrating our differences
- How are racist beliefs internalized
- Is it ever too early to start?
- Example of how to talk to toddlers and babies about race
- What about for older children?
- Teaching opportunities through art, books, food
- Do your work first
- Diversifying your social groups
- Holidays: who is being celebrated?
- School advocacy
- Speaking out against discrimination and prejudice
- What are you modeling for your children?
- There is no middle ground
- What if you already have children?
- Be critical of the businesses are you supporting in your baby registries and beyond
- Take-aways
Helpful resources & links*:
- Implicit Association Test (Project Implicit from Harvard University)
- Social Justice Resources from The Children’s Community School, including the graphic on “They’re Not Too Young to Talk about Race,” that I mention on the show.
- Antiracism Resource Guide (compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein)
- Talking About Race, from the National Museum of African American History and Culture
- EmbraceRace.org
- Tolerance.org – Teaching Tolerance
- Raceconscious.org – Raising Race Conscious Children
- Teachingforchange.org -Teaching for Change
- aorta.coop – Anti Oppression Resource and Training Alliance (AORTA)
Books:
- For parents
- Me & White Supremacy, by Layla Saad
- How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram Kendi
- So You Want to Talk About Race? By Ijeoma Oluo
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander
- Between The World And Me, by Ta-nehisi Coates
- For small kids
- Hair Like Mine, by Latashia M. Perry
- Anti-racist Baby, by Ibram Kendi
- A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara
- Books for school-age children
- Books for older kids
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Instagram accounts:
Related Birthful episodes:
- Bringing Equity to Birth, with Denise Bolds
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Courtesy of Dr. Qadira Huff
About Dr. Qadira Ali Huff
Dr. Qadira Ali Huff, MD, MPH, FAAP, DipABLM is a double-board certified physician in pediatrics and lifestyle medicine. She practices primary care pediatrics in Washington, DC, with a slant towards preventive medicine. Dr. Qadira completed her medical training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and pediatrics residency at Children’s National Hospital. While at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, she completed a Master of Public Health in policy with a research focus on food systems and health disparities.
In her practice, Dr. Qadira integrates lifestyle medicine into every visit through discussion on how lifestyle habits affect virtually every health concern. She loves coaching families on how to build healthy foundations through physical activity, nutrition, and stress management, among other strategies. In addition to her primary care role, Dr. Qadira founded a business – Sprouting Wellness – to coach families along the journey towards adopting healthier lifestyles.
Dr. Qadira is a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). She is the founder of Hyattsville, Maryland Chapter of Walk With A Doc, a community-based walking program to encourage physical activity and health literacy. She serves on the board of Maryland MENTOR and Center DC. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters. Dr. Qadira loves to travel, riding her Peloton, and cooking new plant-based recipes.
Make sure you follow her on Instagram at @qadirahuffmd
Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).
Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).
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