Anti-Racist Conversations With Kids
Black Lives Matter. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery’s, Rayshard Brooks’ deaths are tragic and unacceptable. And they are just the most recent and most visible displays of the horrific loss of black lives at the hands of police.
Stomping Ground condemns anti-black racism in all its forms. We condemn police brutality. We recognize the systems in place that provide privilege for some and oppression for others. We are committed to taking action and not just making statements. We intend to be clear and consistent, demanding and responsive. I have no doubt that you have read countless statements and that your news feeds and inboxes are filled with similar messages and sentiments. And it is worth saying again. Your commitment to camp and your connection to the camp community means the world to us and we want you to know where we stand and what efforts we are taking.
Last week Nina Tucker, an educator and an activist, reached out to Klee and offered to lead intentional conversations about race, anti-racism and allyship on Hometown Stomping Ground. We are excited to offer our platform to Nina, a black woman, who is willing to help facilitate these conversations. This space will be a place for kids to process what is happening in the news and learn more about their relationship to race. This we recognize will be messy. It will certainly not be perfect or complete but it will be a place to be curious, make mistakes and create dialogue. Something I think camp is uniquely good at is creating a sense of belonging. Once you feel like you belong you are more open to learning and listening. At camp in the summer we hold circles with our community when there is harm. We believe in the power of conversation and believe dialogue creates empathy and is part of the change process.
We will start with one week-long session that campers and families can participate in. These conversations are not just for white kids or just for black kids, they are for all Stomping Ground campers. If your camper is interested please fill out this brief Google form. Klee will reach out to you with more information and next steps.
Stomping Ground is committed to fostering dialogue amongst campers, to collecting and sharing resources, to educating ourselves and to amplifying voices that speak of the radical change that our country needs.
One of the most influential books that I had a chance to read over this past year was “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria” By Beverly Daniel Tatum. Beverly is a psychologist, administrator and educator who studies racial identity development. She argues for the urgent need to talk about race with youth.
Beverly Daniel Tatum writes “ While I think it is necessary to be honest about the racism of our past and present, it is also necessary to empower children (and adults) with the vision that change is possible. Concrete examples are critical.”
As a white woman and a leader of a non profit focused on social justice I am committed to continuing to learn, listen, and do the work I need to make Stomping Ground an inclusive and restorative space. I am committed to making space and amplifying voices of black leaders and youth in our community. We have a lot of work to do.
Thank you for being a part of our camp family.