Having talks about racism with our children can certainly be tough, but Kourtney Kardashian is not shying away from having the conversation. The mother of three posted a powerful message on Instagram on Thursday, June 4, and shared her thoughts on why she thinks having those discussions with our kids at home is necessary. The post is inspired by the recent Black Lives Matter protests happening around the country, where people are asking for justice in racism-fueled attacks on black people.
More from MamásLatinas: How to talk to our children about racism & the importance of equality
The reality star revealed she has taken on the responsibility she holds as a parent to her three kids—Mason, Penelope, and Reign—to teach them about their white privilege and to have them learn more about black history. The Poosh founder also wrote a post on her lifestyle website about the conversations she has at home, encouraging other moms to do the same.
Kourtney shared a powerful post on Instagram.
"As a mother, there is a natural instinct to protect my children from anything that might make them feel sad or unsafe," she captioned the post. "The pain and suffering inflicted by racism is not a thing of the past and I bare the responsibility to speak with my kids honestly and often about it, even when the truth is uncomfortable. I have to make sure they understand what it means to have white privilege and to take the time to learn and discuss Black History, beyond just one short month out of the year. I encourage other mothers to join me in using this as a learning lesson for our children, to allow our children to feel comfortable enough to come talk to us about anything. Allow conversation without judgement, and learn from our children too. We don’t know it all. My children sometimes ask questions that I may not know the answers to, so we explore them together. I’ve felt like I’ve always been on the right side of this, but I have a lot to learn and want to educate myself even more, so that I can be a better mother, a better auntie to my nieces and nephews, a better friend, and a better person."
Kourtney's words of encouragement are useful for her readers.
The famous mamá revealed she struggled with finding the right words to say but is now encouraging the conversation to continue beyond this moment in her post Things I Teach My Children. "Like many of you, I have been feeling very emotional this week. My heart is heavy with all the hurt and pain I have been witnessing. In a world filled with judgement, it is hard sometimes to find the words, the right words, to fully express how I am feeling in times like these. I know I need to trust the goodness inside myself and find my truth, and I would much rather speak my truth than to not speak at all," she wrote on her website Poosh.com. "We should all want to do better and be better. The best way to teach respect, love, and kindness is by modeling it. The best way to teach the importance of using your voice and standing up for what is right and what you believe in is by modeling it. I have always felt the importance of allowing my kids to be who they are, to give them the tools they need, structure and security as a parent, but to not mold them into any ideal. There is so much I learn from them every day, so much light and perspective they bring to situations, so I encourage you to be open to that as well. In order for change to be lasting and not just about this moment, we need to continue the conversation beyond today, this week, this month. God help us."
She also recommended some books for parents to read with their children.
Companies whose target audience are children, like Disney, Lego, and Nickelodeon have been taking a stance against racism, and while that is a major step in the right direction, it's also important that these conversations are also happening at home so a child's first introduction to the topic isn't through other sources. Kourtney provided a list of helpful children's book addressing race and equality on Poosh.com and they are a great place to start to keep your kids informed, make them feel seen if they have ever experienced racism themselves, and also make them more empathetic people. The list of books Kourtney suggested were: An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy. This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt Lamothe. The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler. I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont. ABC What Can She Be?: Girls Can Be Anything They Want to Be, from A to Z by Jessie Ford and Sugar Snap Studio.
Kourtney's kids belong to a diverse family.
It's important for all children to learn about race and learn to value the importance of equality. For Mason, Penelope, and Reign, it is a personal matter and beyond necessary for them to understand the history of black people in the US because they are growing up with cousins who are biracial and uncles, like Kanye West, who are black.
The lifestyle guru previously spoke out against the injustices happening in the black community.
"As the founder of @poosh, I think it’s important to make a pledge that lasts beyond today. We pledge to continue the conversation when racism and inequity cease to be a trending topic. We pledge to do the work required, not just in this moment but in the future, to keep ourselves educated, to keep the doors open for safe and honest dialogue, even if it’s uncomfortable," she captioned the post. "And we pledge to share this information with you, our community. We are committed to highlighting black and minority owned businesses, their products, and their stories, as well as making a conscious effort to ensure our team of collaborators and our content and imagery always reflect the diversity of our community. Poosh will also be making donations to the NAACP and the The Bail Project, two organizations that are committed to creating a more equal and just society for Black men, women, and children. God bless us and God help us."
