I remember sitting in Mrs. McKenna’s fourth-grade class when our history lesson turned to America’s enslavement of Black people. While I don’t remember exactly how the lesson went, I do know that the history I learned about slavery in elementary school was minimal and ended with Abraham Lincoln “freeing” the slaves. It was a narrative with a lot of holes, but the most critical one was about Black people’s efforts to free ourselves.
My teachers’ mistake was to talk about the enslavement of Black people without talking about our resistance. Anytime we are sharing the realities of oppression, we must include the ways in which people experiencing oppression fight back.
With my own children, I tell stories of resistance by talking with them about Freedom Fighters. It all started one night when I was putting my son, who was four at the time, to bed. As many parents know, bedtime is often when the question, “What did you do today?” actually gets answered. Their minds unwind and memories from their day bubble to the surface, emerging as reflections and inquiries. On this particular evening, he asked me if I knew who Martin Luther King, Jr. was. We talked about King’s importance and I explained that he was a Freedom Fighter.
“Mama, tell me about a Freedom Fighter” has become a common refrain at bedtime — from both my kids. I’ve talked about Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, Miss Major, and Bree Newsome. I end each story with the reminder that they can be Freedom Fighters too.
All children need to learn about oppression so they can identify it and contextualize it. But racism and white supremacy (and sexism, homophobia, etc.) can be painful and scary concepts for kids — especially when they match up with their lived experiences. They have to know that there are people actively working to fight against these systems.
Children need ways to understand their own agency as well, though kids of color and white kids should understand their roles differently. In talking about resistance, we give children examples of what it looks like to be agents of change. We show them that people who experience oppression are not powerless or mere victims. They can do something.
Where to begin and what to consider
Here are a few thoughts to guide your efforts:
1. Start with books. I love using children’s books as a vehicle for introducing topics to kids. There are some great books that teach kids (and adults) about real Freedom Fighters. Henry’s Freedom Box, Toussaint L’ouverture: The Fight for Haiti’s Freedom, The Streets Are Free, Little Rock Nine.
2. Be present. Fighting for liberation is still happening! There are a lot of folks who are doing the important work of fighting oppression today. Black Youth Project 100, 18 Million Rising, Presente.
3. Pay attention to gender. Kids are much more likely to hear about cismen — King, Chavez, Peltier, Itliong — and not as much about the women and trans folks who have always been as critical in making change happen.
4. Include artists and musicians. Every political movement has its art forms. And art and music are easy ways for children to connect to movements for freedom. You can even make political art together! Fela Kuti, Melanie Cervantes, Gordon Parks, LaToya Ruby Frazier.
5. Include youth. Some of our most important Freedom Fighters were young people. Resistance is not just for grown ups, and plenty of children and young adults have been part of some of our most important struggles. Ruby Bridges, Malala Yousafzai, The Children’s Crusade.
6. Encourage activism. From writing a letter to a representative to joining a march to organizing an action, there are so many ways for kids to make a real difference — beyond feel-good actions like coat drives and park clean-up.
7. Mindfully include white people. We have to eliminate the White Saviorrole, which centers whiteness and portrays people of color as victims. But white kids should know that they can play an important support role when it comes to fighting racism. Emphasize and prioritize the efforts of people of color, but include white allies too. John Brown, Viola Liuzzo, James Ian Tyson.
Mia has spent more than 20 years fighting for the self-determination and pointing out the brilliant adaptations of everyday people.
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