Child Trends’ Post

I’ve been reading the Black Equity Organisation and the Fawcett Society’s report ‘Public Harms. Racism and Misogyny in Policing, Education and Mental Health Services.’ Extract: ‘The evidence, both from women’s lived experiences and from significant inquiries and reviews, sheds light on the widespread institutional racism and misogyny present within policing, education and mental health services. We identify the excessive use of force, pervasive stereotyping or othering, the erasure of women’s voices, and the absence of intersectional and tailored solutions as key commonalities between these different public services. We have identified the ways in which each of these issues go beyond the one-off cases and incidents giving rise to these inquiries, instead reflecting deep rooted problems which manifest in similar ways across different public institutions.’ Certainly worth reading and reflecting on. https://lnkd.in/eFabEhuC

We are proud to sponsor a crucial Racial Equity Study examining current racial inequalities and longstanding impacts of systemic racism experienced by Black Coloradans. Conducted by History Colorado, the Study will focus on: ➡️ Racial Wealth Gap: Access to generational wealth building ➡️ K12 - Higher Education: Pathways to educational attainment ➡️ Healthcare: Disparities, discrimination, and negative health outcomes ➡️ Housing: Redlining, homeownership, and displacement Senator James Coleman shares, "The Racial Equity Study is going to look at education, healthcare, housing—it's going to look at all areas of interest for Coloradans across the state to demonstrate how the Black community, in particular, has been disproportionately impacted by lack of access and affordability. Our role is to understand the data so we can understand that impact not just anecdotally, but with empirical information. Black history is American history. With History Colorado, we will research, analyze, and provide policy frameworks on what we can do moving forward." Special thanks to state legislators Representative Leslie Herod, Representative Naquetta Ricks, MBA, and Senator James Coleman for continuing to advance justice and equity to improve the lives of all Coloradans. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g5gwmgjW

In a recent video, Dawn Butler MP shares a shocking experience from her school days where she discovered her teacher was marking her work down unfairly. She and a straight-A friend swapped papers, and while her friend received an A for Dawn’s work, Dawn was given a much lower grade for the same paper. 🤔 Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Every day, black children in schools are being marked down, and countless teachers have admitted they have little to no expectations of black students. From the very start of their education through to university, black students face racism, bias, and even deliberate sabotage by those trusted to bring out the best in them. Instead, some push for the worst. 🧐 This story also highlights the link between racism and the disproportionate exclusion and harsh treatment black children face in schools. The Black Child Agenda is here to challenge these blatant inequalities. Dawn Butler's success, despite these barriers, shows the strength it takes to overcome a system that is designed to hold black children back. But why should they have to? #TheBlackChildAgenda #Exclusions #SchoolToPrisonPipeline #DawnButler #SchoolRacism

A new survey of Black parents with young children (under age 7) in the U.S., from the Equity Research Action Coalition at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the Gallup Center on Black Voices, finds that 59% of parents say they talk with their children about the challenges they may face because of their race either often (30%) or sometimes (29%). Among Black parents, 70% of those who experience regular discrimination report talking to their young children about the challenges they may encounter in life because of their race. In comparison, about half of parents who do not experience frequent discrimination have these types of talks with their children (51%). Learn more at news.gallup.com.

Wow, thank you Cheryl Phoenix. What a timely, relevant and poignant post. I had to respond as I experienced this from primary, secondary, FE and HE. Why are those entrusted to nurture our greatness and provide enabling positive environments actually acting as stealth agents of mental destruction? I was also told by my careers teacher, that, I should focus on an athletics career, as I was naturally gifted and "built" for it. I asked her ".. So what is my contingency plan... if I injure or break a bone, then what?" Her response was... "Oh Juliyah, don't be so dramatic! You wont get hurt, look at your amazing physique?" Fortunately, for me at the time, I had great family and friends network. That encouraged, empowered me to think bigger, bolder, long-term dreams, careers and aspirations. I " battled" through academia and was able to achieve my Masters with a Distinction, persue a career in Law, IT. I had a career in the city. I became a teacher and also worked with those labelled "NEETS," I trained the trainers and became a coach, mentor, Author, Entrepreneur and so much more. I shared the above not to impress, but to express and encourage those that you know in academia to treat all students through an EDI perspective. As Martin Luther King Jr said "... Be judged by the content of your character, NOT the colour of your skin" That speech was made over 50 years ago, evidently, there are lessons still to be learnt. Maybe just maybe, EDI, Cultural: Competencies, awareness and consciousness training should be more regularly implemented, monitored and measured. So that this type of discrimination is rooted out of the education system. Unfortunately, as there is systemic institutional racism embedded within the walls, policies, procedures, practices and some mindsets. This 2 tier education will take time to Transition to transform into a more equitable and holistic system. Not to be deterred, we need to speak out, and show up, be advocates. We need to challenge the narrative and shine a spotlight on those who are using, outdated limiting beliefs systems to hold our children back! We need to hold these perpetrators to account in order for this unfair system to be dismantled. However, I am cognizant that parents, Grandparents, Siblings, wider family members Guardians and Carers maybe fearful of repercussions for calling out teachers/principals who carry out such practices. My response is.... "If nothing changes THEN nothing changes!!! Let your conscious be your guide.... I will conclude by celebrating and promoting those teachers, staff and employers who are doing the right things and positively making a difference in the lives of others. Be encouraged to keep on, Keeping on. Thank you. #realtalk #callitout #changeyourmindset #Systemic #Discrimination #MartinLurtherKing #Ihaveadream

These are the kind of stories I heard through the African Ancestry Project, here in British Columbia (Canada). Unfortunately, this kind of racial discrimination in schools is not a problem of the past. It is present with us here today. We need people and institutions to not only accept and understand this truth, but to make change. Read Chapter 3 of the project report: https://lnkd.in/d3g6-Up

New publication! In September 2021, the Equity Research Action Coalition, in partnership with the National Black Child Development Institute and POINTS of ACCESS, LLC, collaborated in creating the Black Child National Agenda to challenge the negative and stereotypical narrative of Black children, families, and communities and to identify 10 priorities to dismantle structural racism and systemic inequities that get in the way of Black children’s ability to thrive and excel. This report advances the Black Child National Agenda by examining major policies and programs in the United States that impact the lives of Black children and families based on the access, experiences, and outcomes framework. Find the report: https://go.unc.edu/j4QYo #RacialEquity #PublicPolicy #Research

This report highlights the voices of Black girls attending public schools and sets forth their recommendations for creating more just school communities. https://lnkd.in/ebwJESPT

Parents should take the time to learn parenting tips for Black children to provide culturally sensitive support, address unique challenges, and cultivate their children's self-esteem and resilience in a society where they may face racial bias. Here are 3 tips that you can use to support and empower your children: 1. Surround your family with a supportive network of friends, mentors, and role models from different backgrounds to provide a sense of belonging and a variety of perspectives. 2. Demonstrate inclusive and respectful behaviour in your own actions by showing your children how to treat others with kindness and stand up against injustice. 3. Regularly acknowledge and celebrate your children's accomplishments, both big and small, to build their confidence and reinforce their sense of self-worth.

Join us today at 11am in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington DC as we stand up for the Freedom to Learn! The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) is proud to join forces with the Freedom to Learn coalition, the Right to Learn coalition, The African American Policy Forum, and other racial justice, social justice, and Civil Rights organizations for the May 3rd Freedom to Learn National Day of Action. Together, we’re committed to combating Anti-Blackness, Curriculum Violence, and Educational Censorship in Schools. We aim to amplify the stories of Black children, families, and communities in the public narrative, countering attacks on our schools and teachings about race and racism. In a time when book bans, historical erasure, and misrepresentation of civil rights and DEI are on the rise, it is crucial that we speak up. Let’s ensure our voices are heard as we reject the agendas that marginalize Black children, families, and communities. Let’s push back forces that continue to perpetuate harm and have a lasting impact on Black communities. Let’s take a stand, together, for future generations’ freedom to learn! #freedomtolearn