Whether you're worried a child in your life might be a target for recruitment or you worry that they will encounter white nationalist sentiment at school or online, information and conversation are critical to breaking hate. Here’s how we suggest you dig in. (Also check out the video of our related conversation with EmbraceRace.)
1. Understand the issue.
Learn the
terms, groups, and issues at the
center of the recent surge of white
nationalist activity.
2. Talk to your kids.
You will not be the
first parent startled by what your child
has seen or heard already.
- Ask them if they are seeing or hearing anything
at school or online. Ask about online gaming
platforms, too. Stay calm, so that they aren’t
scared to tell you more. Ask follow-up questions.
- The Washington Post just ran a piece built
around the recent viral Twitter thread
encouraging parents of teenage sons to look and
listen more.
- ColorLines published a guide for talking to kids
of color about white nationalism after
Charlottesville; it’s every bit as relevant now.
- Here’s a Scary Mommy blog post that calls out
specific bloggers and YouTubers as the writer
describes stumbling into the issue during a car
ride conversation with her son.
3. Talk to your kids’ schools.
Yes, it’s your business what they’re doing to
confront racism.
- Read up on what schools can do to prevent and respond to white nationalist activity in
Confronting White Nationalism in Schools.
- Ask your local school administration or school board what measures they have taken to
strengthen their school community against white nationalism.
- Find a way to gather other parents around this issue. Start small if you need to, but start a
conversation. You are not the only one worried about this.
4. Read more.
One of us (Nora) is an English teacher, so you’re going to get
more book recommendations!
- Christian’s book, White American Youth, explains how a kid from a good family can get
sucked into racist hate, as well as how he got out.
- Here’s a New York Times piece that cites two additional books about the recent resurgence of
white nationalism, how young people get recruited, and how they can get out.
- Deep dive: here’s an extensive reading list from Bustle about racism, white nationalism, and
more.