A Conversation with My Son about Systemic Racism

Today I sat down with my son to watch a video entitled Race in America. 

As a family, during this time of unrest we have watched the nightly news and read the editorials in Sunday's paper. We have talked about the issues of race and racism. From early childhood we have taught our children the importance of inclusivity and to not judge a person by the color of his/her skin. We've educated our sons. 

In school, they studied the Civil Rights Movement, Jim Crow, and the Freedom Riders. They wrote reports on the Civil War and Rosa Parks. Together we stood in front of the eternal flame at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s tomb in Atlanta, visited Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, and saw photos of "The Little Rock Nine" escorted to school by the National Guard. Last year we visited the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama, where we added our names to the Wall of Tolerance, and we visited the Greyhound Bus Station, one of the stops for the Freedom Riders. We visited the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the place where the Montgomery Bus Boycott was organized and where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor.

So yes, we've educated our sons. And yet, visiting all these historical sites and learning about the sacrifices and struggles does not mean that the sacrifices and struggles are over. These past few weeks have shown us this.

Which is why we sat down to watch this video. Because it explains the causes of racism in a linear fashion leading up to the present day. Because it brings up compelling points to consider. Because it's a sobering reminder of the harsh reality that systemic racism is a way of life for many Americans.

We also talked about my work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. During training, not only did we study the problem of racism and discrimination in the court and foster care systems, but we also discussed bias--which is especially problematic because someone may deny having a personal prejudice while, at the same time, harbor deep-seated biases of which they may not even be aware. Furthermore, having now been to court several times in my work as a CASA, my son and I talked of the complexities of race in the judicial system. 

There is no denying that the subject of racisim and discrimination is very complicated, and scary, and overwhelming. But these issues need to be faced. 

They need to be acknowledged. 

And we need to dig deep to be part of the solution.