Parentingis a tough job.
It involves being responsible for a childs safety and well-being day after day.
This is anything but new.
Amrita Marino
It is a burden that Black parents have had to carry for centuries.
You attempt to put them in a bit of a bubble, even though the bubble doesnt really exist.
Despite these hardships, Black children are cherished, and their parents are committed to helping them thrive.
The one thing you want to protect most, at least for me, is their innocence.
I would like the world to still be a place filled with fun, excitement, and curiosity.
But it is required, right?
He has asked questions regarding the police.
I say: This is nottelevision.
This is not an anime movie.
They will kill you.
It is hard to tell my son that.
And, unfortunately, we as Black males grow up with a target on our backs.
And that was George Floyds death.
I said she could talk about it.
I dont want it to be a secret.
It is time for her to know these things.
He consumes his information on the internet, and there is a lot of misinformation.
He didnt believe us until he got pulled over the first time.
They dont get to learn from it.
When we have slow moments in our day, we talk about the pictures.
I have shown my daughter pictures of some of the peaceful protests.
We readbooks about diversity.
We attempt to findSesame Streetprogramming, so she sees people being different but still treating each other well.
I am Black, and Im Proud.
She knows Breonna Taylors name.
We venture to instill pride in who she is.
We teach her to celebrate those things.Lauren W., 43, mother of a two-year-old daughter.
I speak to my son about his interactions with white people, mainly the police.
I speak to my daughter more about being aware of her surroundings.
I remind my children that many white people have feared Black people most of their lives.
I know it sounds extreme, but this is how I talk to them.
I dont want them to be surprised later and learn the hard way.
I am thankful that they see me and their dad have healthy relationships withwhite friends and colleagues.
It helps them see that we are not talking about all white people.
The playing field is not a level one.
He missed a shot one day and slapped the water because he was upset.
The referee didnt just give him a warning.
My wife and I had to get the superintendent of Broward public schools involved and go ballistic.
My daughter tested into one of the best private schools in the state of Florida.
Weve had to push back.Ernesto
Our son played a monkey character in aschoolplay.
I had issues with it.
I opposed him dressing up as a monkey, and I voiced that.
Ultimately it was resolved with him not wearing a monkey costume.
But it wasnt a problem for my son initially.
As a parent, I was in a position to voice a concern, and I did.
I think it sends a wrong message.
Richard J., 49, father of a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter
Colorism is very real.
Both of my sons attended the same magnet program for elementary school.
It wasnt the same for my youngest.
He had less access.
It is very disheartening.
With certain teachersbecause of their tone and othermicroaggressionshe has been reticent about speaking up for himself and addressing issues.
My son has a vibrant personality.
He is extroverted and inquisitive.
The state of concern is constant.
Theres a harsh realization in that we cant always protect him from seeing and experiencing racism.
We are trying to equip him to be safe and to protect his own personal space and peace.
The emotional and physical threats to his person are very real and tangible.
And if that happens, they are going to come home in a box.
So I always have this undercurrent of fear of the possibility of things reverting backas they are now.
To raise a free Black child is an act of resistance.
