Life
Parenting is a complex job for most every family, but raising kids across racial lines presents its own set of challenges. But there are many excellent resources for non-Black parents of Black children available to help caretakers navigate the concerns and questions that come up, not only in these tumultuous times, but on an everyday basis. Parents in biracial marriages, stepparents, and those who have adopted transracially can all use this support.
"Parenting is extraordinarily stressful in the best of circumstances, but if you’re worried about a kid’s safety and self-concept because of race, that’s a whole extra level of stress on top of it," Dr. Fern L. Johnson, Ph.D., a senior research scholar and professor emerita of English at Clark University, tells Romper via phone call. "I am the white mother of two African American sons. My wife, Marlene Fine, and I adopted them as infants, and they are now 29 and 31 years old... we worry about them every day." Dr. Johnson's sons have been subject to racist remarks in the workplace, trailed by state troopers for miles, and much more. Like any parent, she still fears for her grown children, and she's also keenly aware of the fact that "any of these encounters could have turned very bad in a split second."
Mental health professionals acknowledge this added difficulty. "It is a hard time for parents who are raising Black children during this climate," Diana Anzaldua, a BIPOC Licensed Clinical Practitioner and Founder and Owner of Austin Trauma Therapy Center, tells Romper. "Children are confused and are looking for guidance just as the parents are. Educating the self (and the family) on how to be anti-racist is needed right now." To assist in that education, and help you find supportive communities, here are some of the organizations, groups, websites, media, and other resources available for non-Black parents of Black children, all recommended by experts and parents who know.
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Your Own Support Group
Most every expert who spoke to Romper talked about the importance of relying on a strong support group, even if you have to create one yourself. Dr. Johnson created a support group of other interracial families, and found that she benefited from the friendships as much as her children. "So many times we have talked to the adults in this support network when we were feeling overly stressed," says Dr. Johnson.
Others echoed this sentiment. "I have a great group of friends, of many racial backgrounds, that are able to talk, bounce ideas, and mourn/grieve with me," Dr. Reinking tells Romper.
Sometimes, simply asking for advice or input is all it takes to create a new connection. "(You might be) surprised about how much you’ll get out of the community, because people can be so supportive," says Dr. Pratt. "People for the most part are willing to help if it’s coming from a place of love." So don't be afraid to ask your neighbors or other community members for parenting advice or support if you need it.
How do you create a support group from scratch, though? First, join online groups such as Culturally Fluent Families (mentioned above), Transracial Adoption, or Facebook parent groups for your part of the world. For more in-person meetings, look for local groups in your area similar to the Families of Color Seattle parent group to mingle with other families.
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Moms of Black Boys United
Dr. Reinking also recommends MOBB (Moms of Black Boys United), an organization dedicated to supporting moms of Black sons by promoting positive images of Black boys and men, as well as by affecting policy change. The origination's goal is to become the go-to resource for parents of Black sons.
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"A History of US" by Joy Hakim
Add this one to your reading (or listening) list. "Another resource that I have found very helpful is A History of US by Joy Hakim audiobooks," an anonymous parent tells Romper. "It is a US history series that isn't the 'rich white men' history that I was taught growing up. It directly addresses racism and bigotry throughout our country's history. Understanding how we got to where we are is incredibly important for understanding how things are now." For those who prefer the printed word, all ten A History Of Us books are available from Oxford University Press.
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Pact, An Adoption Alliance
For parents who have adopted across racial lines, Pact may be an invaluable resource. "Parents can and should learn from those who have lived the experience their own children are embarking on to learn from those who know," Beth Hall, director of Pact, An Adoption Alliance, tells Romper via email.
An adoption placement, education, and support community, Pact offers a tremendous amount of information and other resources for families interested in transracial adoption. The Transracial Adoption/Interracial Adoption Resource Library from Pact is loaded with articles, essays, and videos about the topic, exploring everything from white privilege to racial identity formation. For instance, in one short video, Hall discusses what parents need to consider when adopting transracially. People who have already adopted may benefit from the video about supporting transracially adopted teens.
In addition, Pact also offers online chat groups, educational workshops and conferences, the nationally acclaimed Pact Family Camp, and one-on-one consultations about transracial/transnational parenting.
Not surprisingly, Hall has also written a book on the subject (along with fellow co-author Gail Steinberg) titled Inside Transracial Adoption. Hall co-founded Pact in 1991 to help combat the discrimination she witnessed against adopted children of color.
Experts:
Fern L. Johnson, Ph.D., senior research scholar and professor emerita of English at Clark University. Author (with her spouse Marlene G. Fine) of The Interracial Adoption Option: Creating a Family Across Race and the forthcoming Let’s Talk Race — A Guide for White People, due out next year from the New Society Press.
Dr. Howard Pratt, D.O., child psychiatrist with Community Health of South Florida
Anni Reinking Ed.D., author of Not Just Black and White
Diana Anzaldua, LCSW, BIPOC Licensed Clinical Practitioner in Austin, Texas
Beth Hall, author of Inside Transracial Adoption, co-founder of Pact, An Adoption Alliance
Caitlin Hill, MS, adoption counselor at the BaltimoreTherapy Center
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