Yes to all of this. It’s time to talk to our people and let them know we are going nowhere. I worry more about how our community will take care of us and behave when faced with the choice of oppression and being oppressors than our real oppressors.
I’ve observed that children are often more welcoming of the world’s differences when they are allowed to simply engage with the representation of it (instead of framing it from a lens of them being “exposed” to it). I personally observe this in having a daughter living with a disability. The adults that work with her are typically less compassionate than her elementary school peers. The adults are encouraging some level of conformity while her friends are more compassionate and sensitive to who she is. Children have their opinions just like everyone else but that opinion can still be rooted in empathy and respect for others. And without the judgmentally persuasive banter, it usually is. That is the beauty in what authentic representation can give us. A more compassionate, less judgmental, and beautifully diverse society.
“Kids” truly have become the scapegoat for anything that ruffles the feathers of anyone looking to preserve their traditional views. Thank you for sharing this with us.
That’s exactly why my efforts are focused on the children. They’re our hope. Some of the grown folks are so stuck in their ways and beliefs that they’re impossible to sway or penetrate. I want life to be better for those coming up, especially since they have it harder in terms of social media and influence!
Hi Ashleigh, I think the same way as you do. I really appreciate how you prove what you put out there. There's so much simply untrue stuff being put out there, masked as the facts of the situation. I like when points are proven with actual research. Thanks for this piece.
This is beautiful and necessary. Thank you.
Thank you so much Adia!
Yes to all of this. It’s time to talk to our people and let them know we are going nowhere. I worry more about how our community will take care of us and behave when faced with the choice of oppression and being oppressors than our real oppressors.
Yes! This exactly. This essay is for everyone but when I started it I had in mind our skinfolk who can sometimes be our biggest adversaries!
I’ve observed that children are often more welcoming of the world’s differences when they are allowed to simply engage with the representation of it (instead of framing it from a lens of them being “exposed” to it). I personally observe this in having a daughter living with a disability. The adults that work with her are typically less compassionate than her elementary school peers. The adults are encouraging some level of conformity while her friends are more compassionate and sensitive to who she is. Children have their opinions just like everyone else but that opinion can still be rooted in empathy and respect for others. And without the judgmentally persuasive banter, it usually is. That is the beauty in what authentic representation can give us. A more compassionate, less judgmental, and beautifully diverse society.
“Kids” truly have become the scapegoat for anything that ruffles the feathers of anyone looking to preserve their traditional views. Thank you for sharing this with us.
That’s exactly why my efforts are focused on the children. They’re our hope. Some of the grown folks are so stuck in their ways and beliefs that they’re impossible to sway or penetrate. I want life to be better for those coming up, especially since they have it harder in terms of social media and influence!
Hi Ashleigh, I think the same way as you do. I really appreciate how you prove what you put out there. There's so much simply untrue stuff being put out there, masked as the facts of the situation. I like when points are proven with actual research. Thanks for this piece.
Thank you so much Megan! I'm a researcher at heart.