The Talk

On the Anniversary of the March on Washington, I am once again thinking deeply about the experience of Black children in our communities. An interesting part of my work is acknowledging the ways in which systemic racism affects Black families, while also recognizing that I am not always the right person to help families explore those experiences.

“A Conversation With My Black Son,” published by New York Times a few years back, shows that these conversations are nothing new, but rather are a common and expected part of parenting for Black families in America. Recent events, including the shooting of Jacob Blake, highlight fears which are at the forefront of parenting a Black child in America, and which many of us White folks will never experience. I’ve also added a short piece from 2016 about why many families have “The Talk.”