'These Are Our Children' Video Fights Back Against Negative Depictions Of Black Children
Words: Anthonia Akitunde
Visuals and Video: Sekiya Dorsett
A new video series from mater mea addresses misconceptions that affect Black children.
Studies have found that the police and the general public think Black boys are 4.5 years older than they actually are and far less innocent than their white counterparts. The same bias is seen in discipline at schools as Black girls are six times more likely than their white peers to be suspended from school.
But those negative perceptions of Black children are far from our reality. We spoke to four moms—editor Yolanda Sangweni, writer and activist Feminista Jones, home decor designer Nasozi Kakembo, and author Ibi Zoboi—and their kids to show what's real and what's just plain wrong when people talk about Black children.
We also spoke to the moms individually about their experiences and what they want people to know about Black children.