In this blog, we want to continue our tribute to our fathers for their dedication to providing better opportunities for their families. As daughters of immigrants who grew up in the US, we strongly advocate for immigrants, especially those of color, to have a comprehensive understanding of how racism operates in our country, both historically and currently. We also recognize that our nation still faces significant challenges in addressing racism. In this blog, we aim to provide practical tools and actionable steps that parents and co-conspirators can use to combat racism across different settings, including the family, school, community, and the media.
Academics and thought leaders such as Derrick Bell, Kimberle Crenshaw, Angela Davis, Tara Yosso, and Daniel Solorzano, to name a few, contributed to CRT's work. Other critical theories, such as Latinx (LatCrit), Asian (AsianCrit), Native American (TribalCrit), and White (WhiteCrit), have built on the foundation of CRT and helped to shed light on issues that underrepresented groups face to change systems. See books “Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement” and “Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The permanence of racism.”
Most teachers in the US are White. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, close to 80% of public school teachers were White and non-Hispanic in the 2017-18 school year. However, these teachers often struggle to discuss issues of race and ethnicity, which is concerning as they are responsible for educating our children. Black and Brown students are particularly affected as their teachers may not have the skills or training to self-reflect on their own racial and ethnic identities, prejudices, or have the ability to teach history from a critical global perspective. To address this issue, it is crucial that teachers receive professional development and training about and using CRT in the classroom to increase their awareness and support their students' academic learning. Unfortunately, some teachers dismiss the topic of race altogether, perpetuating the problem of racism in schools and harming all children.
To have open conversations about our children's needs, we must address the concerns and discomforts that White people face. Fear, guilt, and silence often inhibit White teachers from discussing race, but this cannot continue. It is common for White people to believe that discussing race or engaging in conflicts with Black or Brown people is not their place, but we must all play a role in dismantling racism in schools. To achieve this, we must confront racism head-on and encourage open dialogue. However, it is also crucial that White people listen, learn, and apply critical skills to become anti-racist and inclusive educators. By doing so, we can make tangible progress and improve outcomes for all children.
Just like how a few bad apples can spoil the whole orchard, racism in our systems can harm our society as a whole. It's challenging for Americans to talk about race, racism, and xenophobia, and some people may not even realize how it affects others. CRT helps people understand and speak out about the experiences of those who are marginalized in society. CRT focuses on how racism is ingrained in our systems and how it continues to be a problem. The murder of George Floyd made more people aware that racism affects the entire US system, not just a few individuals.
In conclusion, CRT relates to people's real-life experiences by exposing the persistent and structural nature of racism. Consider the case of Gary Tuggle, who was harassed and assaulted by a police officer, and Patrick Lyoya, whose life was stolen. Their experiences may not have been addressed or reported by authorities or mainstream media if not for the efforts of those close to them. CRT helps us understand and confront the reality of a racist society and work towards creating a more equitable world for all.
Critical Race Parenting, an extension of Critical Race Theory, empowers parents to protect their children from harmful stereotypes by recognizing the inherent racism in American society. To implement this approach effectively, parents must have conversations with their children about how they are not defined by society's or the media's portrayal of them. They should provide examples from the family, school, community, and media, and actively participate in their children's education to create safe and inclusive environments. Critical Race Parenting enables parents to challenge discriminatory policies, behaviors, and attitudes, and build communities that resist racism and xenophobia. By doing so, they can contribute to a more equitable society. Below we share examples from family, school, community, and media that parents can use to help their children become aware of and resist harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
#1: Family
It is vital to avoid perpetuating colonial and harmful biases within one's own culture and family. Every person is valued, and we must work to eradicate all sorts of discriminatory messaging. To combat racism and discrimination in the home, parents should first recognize their own family's biases and prejudices, as well as how they are disseminated throughout their homes, religious institutions, and communities, and then work to correct them. Skin color discrimination, often known as colorism, is a major issue among minoritized groups and harms individuals and groups of people who are not White. Colorism has affected every group of people who have had European contact, which includes populations from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Colorism favors lighter complexion, looser coiled or straight hair, and more Eurocentric features like narrower noses and thinner lips. Let’s learn more about colorism from Priya’s experience.
Case Story:
Priya and her family recently migrated from Tamil Nadu, India to suburban Texas in the United States. As a new student in the 9th grade, she was faced with a predominantly White student body with only a few South Asian classmates, who were mainly from Northern Indian states. Priya's Dravidian heritage naturally gives her a darker complexion. She struggled to connect with her White classmates and turned to other Indian students for friendship. However, the North Indian students ignored and belittled her because of her skin color, language, and hairstyle, labeling her a "dark South Indian."
This rejection is not unique to Priya, as colorism is a pervasive problem in India and many other countries. Individuals with darker skin tones often face discrimination and mistreatment due to a preference for lighter skin. Harmful colorist attitudes are perpetuated through stories of applying lotions and drinking milk for fairer skin, contributing to the discrimination and unfair treatment of individuals with darker skin.
It is crucial for parents to teach their children that one's skin color is not a measure of their worth or beauty, and that everyone deserves respect and dignity regardless of their skin color. Combating colorism requires acknowledging and challenging our own biases and working towards creating a society that values diversity and inclusivity. Addressing the issue of colorism is a pervasive tool and the case story of Priya highlights this.
A critical tool for parents is to educate their children about the histories, experiences, and diversity of humanity and cultures of different groups. Parents can help create a more equitable and just society where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives and contributions, rather than their skin color. By teaching their children to respect and value diversity, parents can combat harmful colorism and challenge their own biases. For example, we look different because we come from different parts of the world, eat different meals, and grow up with varying sun exposure, all of which influence how we look. Parents can also actively encourage the preservation of cultural practices and traditional ways of life that are often overlooked or misrepresented in the US education system and global media due to economic and political disparities. By doing so, parents can contribute to a society that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of its members. #2: SchoolAs parents take on the critical role of equipping their children with tools to navigate and resist harmful stereotypes, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that may arise as children enter predominantly white education systems. To help children confront and combat racism and xenophobia in these environments, parents can take proactive steps such as building relationships with teachers and administrative staff and ensuring their children have the necessary knowledge and language to effectively address instances of discrimination.
Some Black Girls Don't Sit Together in the Cafeteria is an excellent resource to help children and youth understand and address racism or discrimination they encounter in US schools. Oluwaseyi (O - lu - wa - shay - e), a Nigerian immigrant in an American school, brings her traditional Nigerian foods to school. Keisha, a school peer, says one day in front of a table of Black classmates, "eeewwww, what's that doo-doo you eating?"
This type of behavior can be painful for immigrant youth in the process of forming their cultural identity, and it is critical for parents to assist their children in navigating these situations. It is also vital to be aware of how your child's native country is portrayed in school. It is important for parents and teachers to create a safe and inclusive environment for all children, and this book can help them do so.
A critical tool for parents to take away is to recognize that schools are not culturally neutral. Parents can help create a more inclusive environment for their children by becoming frequent volunteers, engaging in parent-teacher associations (PTA), and developing a working relationship with their child’s teachers.
#3: Community
As a community, we must ensure that our social services are accessible to all, regardless of cultural, racial, or language barriers. The availability of interpreters, for instance, can significantly improve access to necessary services. Additionally, we must recognize the value of sharing stories and experiences within our community. For instance, without the video capturing Gary Tuggle's encounter with the police officer, his experience may have gone unnoticed and unaddressed. It is our responsibility to listen to individuals who have been marginalized and mistreated, magnify their voices, advocate for them, and demand resources on their behalf.
Finally, we must acknowledge the fact that mainstream media does not always share our stories. Word of mouth was instrumental in spreading the news of Patrick Lyoya's tragic death. By staying connected and informed, we can support one another and work together towards a safer and more just community for all.
Case Story:
Shannon a single mother of two, overheard her son being called a racial slur by a classmate at school. She asked him why he didn't speak up for himself and tell the teacher, to which he replied, "I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, mom." Shannon realized the importance of sharing stories and experiences in their community and encouraged her son to share his story with the school administration. Through this process, they discovered that many students in the school had experienced similar instances of racism and xenophobia. Shannon and other parents banded together to advocate for the school to implement policies and resources to support and protect all students from discrimination.
As a critical tool for parents, it is essential to share meaningful stories and amplify the voices of minoritized individuals. It is also important to continuously share experiences and stay informed through community communication channels (CCC) to support each other toward a safer and more just community for all. Additionally, to combat white supremacy, parents can form coalitions with other underprivileged communities such as the NAACP, Casa de Maryland, Black Alliance for Fair Immigration, and others.
#4: Media
The media's portrayal of immigrants, as exemplified by the characters Apu in The Simpsons and Prince Akeem Joffer in the movie Coming to America, reinforces negative stereotypes and can have a detrimental impact on immigrant children. Eddie Murphy's character in Coming to America (1988) presents an exaggerated and stereotypical portrayal of an African prince who migrates to Queens, New York. The film exploits persistent African stereotypes about poverty, disease, conflict, incompetent leadership, and hypersexualized women without agency in order to elicit laughs. Coming 2 America (2021) was released at the same time as the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements, igniting discussions about the misrepresentation and exploitation of Black bodies in the media on a global scale. Unfortunately, the movie still does not represent a balanced representation of Africa, and its depiction of African peoples perpetuates damaging stereotypes and contributes to discrimination against African immigrants globally.
Similarly, Apu in The Simpsons is portrayed as an Indian immigrant who runs a convenience store, perpetuating the stereotype of Indians in such roles in the US. The depiction of Apu's occupation as a shop manager appears as a satirical commentary on the perception that many Indian immigrants work in convenience stores, despite the education and skills they bring with them from India. In addition, Apu’s character was voiced over by a White man, Hank Azaria, whose imitation of an Indian accent is exaggerated and caricatured for a White audience. Portrayals, such as Apu, contribute to harmful stereotyping of Indians and prejudice against immigrants, especially among young audiences adjusting to US school systems.
Case Story:
Kunle was sitting in his homeroom class at Mangotown High School when some boys started talking about the movie Coming to America. They were all hyped about it and they turned to Kunle and said, "Yo Kunle, I was at McDonald's this morning and your dad took our order," the whole class busted out laughing.
Kunle felt a wave of frustration and anger wash over him. He knew his parents were highly educated and had advanced degrees from their home country of Nigeria, but they were relegated to low-wage jobs in the United States. It wasn't fair, and he was sick of people making fun of him and his family because of media stereotypes. Kunle turned and told his schoolmate, “at least my dad has a job!” “Ooooh, he just dissed you…,” responded another classmate. In his defense, Kunle made fun of the stereotype that African Americans are lazy and don't work. By doing this, he kept up the harmful practice of using media stereotypes to pit minoritized groups against each other.
As a critical tool for parents, it is important to address, explain, and sometimes challenge media stereotypes and prejudices. This case story emphasizes the impact of media stereotypes on individuals, families, and communities as well as how they can lead to hurtful teasing and discrimination. It is critical to remember that preconceptions do not provide a whole picture of why things are the way they are. For example, the higher number of cab drivers who are South Asians and Africans is not because they are predisposed to this form of labor intrinsically, but rather because they may have easier access to it after arriving in the US. It is essential to have open conversations and education about the diversity of the experiences of immigrants of color to break down these media-generated stereotypes.
Don't miss out on an important opportunity to shape your child's future. As a parent, you have the power to help your child become a compassionate and socially conscious individual. But in today's world, it can be challenging to navigate the complexities of social justice and identity.
Attending our "Raising Critical Consciousness" workshops led by Drs. Awokoya and Srikantaiah are critical for this reason. If you're a parent who cares deeply about making the world a more inclusive society, these workshops are for you. By participating, you will acquire insight and strategies to assist your child to cope with these challenges. Time is of the essence, as our next workshop is rapidly approaching.
To sign up for the next workshop on Raising Critical Consciousness in our communities, click here.
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References
Awokoya, J. (2004). Of my color, but not of my kind: The racial and ethnic identity negotiations of 1.5 and 2.0 Nigerian immigrants (Master's thesis). University of Maryland, College Park.
Bell, D. (1992). Faces at the bottom of the well: The permanence of racism. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Freire, P. (2000). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York, NY: Continuum. (Original work published 1968)
HBO.com. (2022, February 21). Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Critical Race Theory [Video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EICp1vGlh_U
Lynn, M. (2006). Race, culture, and the education of African-Americans, 107–119. Educational Theory, 58(1).
Srikantaiah, D. (2008). Indigenous Knowledge Initiatives at the World Bank, the National Institutes of Health, and Pennsylvania State University (Doctoral dissertation). University of Maryland, College Park.
Southern Poverty Law Center. (n.d.). The Ku Klux Klan: A history of racism. Retrieved from https://www.splcenter.org/20110228/ku-klux-klan-history-racism#origins%20of%20the%20klan
The University of Washington. (2014, January 17). Moments of Truth With Host Marcia Alvar [Video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksb3jINQ0N4&t=524s
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