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EmbraceRace

Myth #5, Part 1: "Racist" kids are raised by “racist” parents

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On this season of the EmbraceRace podcast, we counter myths about race and kids and lay out what we know about How Kids ACTUALLY Learn About Race.

It’s easy to think that kids must learn racist behaviors at home, from their parents or caregivers. Period. But the truth is more complicated. Kids get messages about race from home but from many other sources. And many messages they get about race are problematic. 

On today's episode, hosts Melissa and Andrew Media speak with Courtney Wong Chin, Senior Director of Research at Nickelodeon’s Noggin, about the role the media plays in shaping the way kids think about and understand race. What do kids learn from media? And how can adults guide the kids in their lives to be critical of problematic messages about race and embrace healthy racial attitudes about themselves and about others? Listen to find out! Learn more about this episode and find related tools and resources on our website.  

Don't stop at listening! Find reflection questions, all the links, supports and related info related to this episode below.

Listen below or on your favorite podcatcher.

1. Reflect

  • Do you remember books, tv or movie characters from your youth that were what scholar Rudine Sims Bishop described as “mirrors” (reflecting you back to yourself)  and “windows” (showing you different experiences) for a young you? Who were those characters, how old were you when you “met” them, and how did they make you feel and impact your thinking? 
  • What messages about race and ethnicity did you get from the media as a child?  How did the adults in your life reinforce and support these messages?  How did the adults in your life offer a different narrative, or perhaps help you unpack those messages?
  • Who are the characters in the shows and books your children (or the children in your care) are consuming? How are they portrayed? Do all children have opportunities to see their own identities reflected and see stories centering characters of different backgrounds?
  • Courtney offered some great ideas for “building block” questions that help very young children know how to begin to consume media.  What are some ways that you help the children in your life think about and understand what they watch?  What are some new ideas that you could possibly implement, based on Courtney’s suggestions and examples?

2. Follow and Share

3. Learn More!

Courtney Wong Chin

Courtney Wong Chin is Senior Director of Research at Noggin, Nickelodeon’s interactive learning platform, where she oversees UX research, content research, and learning impact evaluation. More about Courtney >
Courtney Wong Chin