Celebrating Black History Month With Your Kids

Last year during Black history month I sat my son Samuel down who was 5 years old and tried my best to explain racism in America. 

I opened with, “There are people who do not believe that everyone is equal. Many people do not think that Black people are equal ..” 

He immediately cut me off and replied, “Mommy there is no such thing as Black people”. 

As a mother of two Black sons this brought me immense joy. 

My baby still has his innocence and is spot on because race is not real. It is a social construct.  

My goal is to raise my sons to be kind, confident, and free to be the magical little men that God created them to be.  

I am not ignorant to the fact that they will have to face inequalities and racism. I make conscious efforts to surround them with people who look like them from all socio-economic backgrounds and give them experiences to expose and educate them about the beauty of their Blackness.  

I believe representation, exposure, and experiences truly pour into them and bolster their self confidence. I had the gift of growing up in Oakland, CA which is such a rich city of diversity in many aspects. I am proud to be raising them in New York. My parents were able to give me the gift of walking into any room standing tall and feeling that I belong and I am committed to passing that same gift on to Baldwin and Samuel.   

You can celebrate Black History Month in many ways. 

Here are a few of my suggestions…. 

Black Inventors 

Celebrate Black inventors of the things your children use or play with. 

For example,  “Did you know that Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker and Nerf Gun? His toys are some of the most successful toy inventions in history amassing over 3 billion in sales.”  

Refrigerator – Frederick McKinley Jones 

Traffic Signal- Garrett Morgan 

Automatic Elevator doors – Alexander Miles 

300 uses for Peanuts – George Washington Carver  

Potato Chips- George Crum 

FOOD 

Watch HIGH ON THE HOG a show documenting the history of food from Africa to America. Then choose to try some of the recipes. Mac n Cheese being number one on the list of course.  

MEDIA 

Read books and watch shows, movies, and plays that have Black characters.  

Supa Team 4 

Motown Magic 

Gracie’s Corner 

Ms. Monica Sutton 

My Dad the Bounty Hunter 

MUSIC 

Listen to a variety of genres of music by Black artists and try to attend a concert. Discuss the artist, their upbringing and their story.  

I took my son to see my friend Ulysses Owens Jr. and his band at Lincoln Center. It was so incredible watching him soak it all in.  

I watched the documentary on Louis Armstrong and it discusses segregation and how he and his band had to enter the back door and while on tour were not able to use many bathroom facilities on their trips. This is an excellent opportunity to address the brilliance of Black talent as well as the adversity and racism they had to face.  

I always prefer children to ask the question and give them a simple honest answer. They respect honesty and can handle more than we realize.   

ART  

Look up your local museums and see if they have any exhibits by Black artists. Take your kiddos and then educate them about the artist.  

I rarely mention color or race to my children. I want them to see it for themselves and take what they want from the experience. 

Racism IS real in America and we need to know our history. However, I choose to celebrate and highlight the beauty, innovation, love, strength, and resilience of my people. The oppression is not my birthright, the magic IS so I encourage everyone not only in February but throughout the year to highlight the positive history of Black people because unfortunately society is still hyper focused on the negativity.   

My final suggestion, I would love for everyone this month in honor of Black History month to celebrate babywearing and its African origins.   

 

Here is an excerpt from my friends at MAE about the history of babywearing… 

As Black women, we have been wearing our babies for centuries. In fact, the first American version of a babywearing device was invented by a woman who had just returned from a trip to West Africa. She was traveling with the Peace Corps and had observed women in Togo carrying their babies on their bodies. She invented the “Snugli” when she got back to the United States and decades later, babywearing has boomed into an entire industry. There are so many reasons why this tradition has become a mainstream practice and we even have a week to celebrate its benefits; International Babywearing week is in the month of October.  

Necessity and convenience are likely what led to this creative innovation. Wearing their babies allowed them to care for their children while working and multitasking. Keeping their babies on their bodies allowed them to continue to bond with their little one, making the 4th-trimester transition easier for both mother and child, while simultaneously protecting their babies from danger. The physical bond provided by wearing babies not only enhances our connection with our children but also positively impacts postpartum blues for those who suffer. Additionally, if a child is being breastfed, mothers are able to discreetly and conveniently nurse in some carriers. Worn babies tend to cry less and quite simply, mothers are just able to accomplish more while still tending to their children when they’re able to comfortably wear them.

 

The acronym TICKS is a helpful reminder of the keys to safe babywearing:

Tight. 

In view at all times. 

Close enough to kiss. 

Keep chin off the chest. 

Supported back. 

I encourage everyone to celebrate Black joy, love, innovation, food, and overall beauty. Black is beautiful and if we choose to teach that to our children I believe the world will be a more accepting, loving, and peaceful place.  

Blessings, 

Rachel Nicks