This past week has been incredibly tough. The video of George Floyd’s senseless murder made me angry and nauseous. I needed time to process the footage I was seeing, and I recognize that even the opportunity to take this time is a privilege.
Let me be clear, I don’t condone the actions of those involved in Mr. Floyd’s death, nor do I condone the lawless acts that are taking place in communities across the Twin Cities. And it’s also important to consider why the oppressed have been crying out. I am inspired and grateful for those who are protesting peacefully, and the work of the peacemakers and citizens now saying, “what can we do?” who are just as disgusted as me about the way Mr. Floyd died. We are putting pain and heartbreak into action.
At Yellow Parachute Learning Partners we say (and celebrate the fact that) each learner is as unique as their thumbprint. We value diversity, inclusivity and equality. There is no place for hatred, bigotry, racism or discrimination in our world, and you won’t experience it at Yellow Parachute. All are welcome here. And we will continue to examine our own biases and perspectives, open to the fact that they’re shaped by our experiences and open to continued growth and perseverance for good,
In last week’s blog I said “if ever there’s a time to try something new, or explore something you’ve been afraid to do, the time is now.” This message continues to ring true. If you haven’t taken time to discuss George Floyd’s death, and the protests that are taking place in communities not only in the Twin Cities, but throughout the country, the time is now. Likewise, if you’ve struggled with how to talk with your kiddos about race and racial injustice, the time is now.
These are hard, uncomfortable, and oftentimes emotional conversations, and it’s okay if you don’t know where to start or are afraid of saying the wrong thing. The first step in raising kiddos who are anti-racists is having these conversations. The Center for Racial Justice in Education has a lot of really great resources for talking about race, racism and racialized violence with kids on their website. This is a great place to start if you want to read more about these conversations or have a little bit of information as you initiate them in your home.
Remember, we don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another. Please continue to be kind to one another and don’t hesitate to reach out if I can assist!
Be well.
Cara Thorpe
Founder & Visionary
Yellow Parachute Learning Partners
www.yellowparachute.com
612-361-7266
