Recent events make it more challenging than ever to be the parent of a Black child. Parents must steer their kids through seeing a violent assault on the Capitol and unfounded objections to a national election where Black voter turnout was the highest it’s ever been. We still have to give instructions on what to do when our kids encounter the police but we must take care not to make our kids angry and resentful. We must figure out how to inspire our kids and help them find ways to think and act productively about social justice and equity.
Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday is a perfect time to find some much needed inspiration for our kids, and watching the movie Selma is a good way to start. The movie brings to life the overwhelming challenges and violent opposition that Dr. King faced and overcame. But will seeing the movie make kids even more upset and angry that Black people faced down dogs, hoses, beatings and worse more than a half-century ago and we still have racism and police violence today?
Maybe. But in the context of today’s crises, the movie is empowering, and an opportunity to talk with kids about how ordinary people like themselves can drive systemic change. Many of the foot soldiers in the civil rights movement were young people not far in age from themselves. They believed in a better tomorrow for future generations. They fought–and were ready to die–for those beliefs. The civil rights movement holds lessons for our young people today who are inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Both then and now individual action is powerful and can make a difference. Young people can lead the way.
The movie also reminds us that civil rights activists fought and died so that Black people would be able to freely exercise their right to vote. That right is precious; it should be protected and exercised at every opportunity. Voters in the great State of Georgia showed that the power of the ballot box is real. Hopefully, our children will witness the change to come because people voted and made their voices heard. It is just the right moment to teach elementary, middle school and high school kids that when the time comes, they have a civic and moral responsibility to register and vote.
The movie also speaks to fighting bullies. It shows there are effective ways to stand up to bullies and object when and where you see unfairness and prejudice. The young foot soldiers in the civil rights movement did just that and changed the law and societal norms.
Here are a few more sources to help parents and young people dig deeper into the civil rights movement and find inspiration and hope.
“To The Mountaintop” by Charlayne Hunter-Gault — Ms. Hunter-Gault chronicles her personal journey to integrate the University of Georgia in the mid-60’s.
“On The Road to Freedom– A Guided Tour of the Civil Rights Trail” by Charles Cobb — a book that navigates the civil rights movement city by city. A book rich with geography that parents should enjoy with their children.
“Freedom Riders” — a film about how a bus full of youth risked their lives sitting on a bus to take a stand.
“Henry’s Freedom Box,” by Ellen Levine — a great book for young children about civil rights that comes with its own activities and lesson plans.
“Let’s get Ready for Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” by Lloyd Douglas — A children’s book that builds an appreciation of the observance and the man.
“If You Lived in The Time of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” by Ellen Levine — A book for young children that gives perspective on the movement.
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