A Star Tribune column titled “The fallacy of colorblind kids, the damage of racial silence” recently spotlighted the research of Gail Ferguson, PhD, Associate Professor at the Institute of Child Development. Ferguson’s longitudinal study of how white moms in Minnesota spoke to their children about race, racism, or racial injustice one month and one year after the murder of George Floyd provided insight into the broader topic of anti-racist parenting and the importance of parents speaking to their children about racial justice.  

Ferguson’s article “​​The Whiteness Pandemic Behind the Racism Pandemic: Familial Whiteness Socialization in Minneapolis Following #GeorgeFloyd’s Murder”, which was co-authored by ICD graduate fellows Lauren Eales, Sarah Gillespie, and Keira Leneman, found that out of nearly 400 white Minnesota mothers surveyed one month after the police killing of Mr. Floyd, only 17% directly acknowledged race, racism, or Black Lives Matter in discussions with their children. 

Star Tribune columnist Laura Yuen highlighted that Ferguson’s ongoing research has shown promising signs that some parents involved in the study are continuing to grow in their approach to talking to their kids about racial justice. Ferguson’s research team has prepared a list of resources for parents, teachers, and caregivers about how to develop a healthy white racial identity and how to talk with children about race, racism, and white privilege.

“Talking about race can actually help you address stereotypes that are forming before they get baked in,” Ferguson told the Star Tribune. “The answer is not to say, ‘There are no colors.’ Acknowledge there are colors and differences, but they’re all OK. No group is better than the other, and we have to make sure that people are treated equitably.”

Read the full article here