| Hey, it’s Freddie Taylor here again, and I need to address something that’s been weighing on my heart… Listen to what this grandmother had to say for a minute “Freddie, I want my granddaughter to be proud of her heritage, but I’m worried. Won’t teaching her so much about being Black make her too focused on race? Won’t it make her see differences instead of similarities? I just want her to succeed without carrying extra baggage.” I understand her concern completely. In fact, over the past five years of running the Sankofa Club, I’ve received hundreds of similar questions and comments from loving parents and grandparents who want the best for their children. They’re caught between wanting their children to know their history and worrying about the potential consequences. So today, I want to answer the eight most common questions I receive about cultural education. Because here’s what I’ve learned… EVERYTHING you’ve been told about cultural education creating “division” is WRONG. The research shows exactly the opposite. Children with strong cultural identity are more confident, more academically successful, and better able to form authentic relationships across racial lines. But I understand why parents have questions. Let me address them directly. Question #1: “Won’t teaching my child so much about Black history make them too focused on race?” This is the question I hear most often, and I understand the concern. But here’s what actually happens… Children who DON’T learn their cultural history become obsessed with race in unhealthy ways. They notice racial differences (all children do by age 3), but they don’t have a positive context for understanding them. So they fill in the gaps with whatever messages they pick up from society – and those messages are rarely positive. When children learn comprehensive Black history, something different happens. They develop what psychologists call “secure racial identity.” Instead of being anxious about their race, they’re confident about it. Instead of being defensive, they’re proud. Instead of seeing race as a burden, they see it as a source of strength. Take the story of Queen Nzinga of Angola. When children learn how she successfully negotiated with Portuguese colonizers as an equal, commanded armies, and protected her people’s independence for decades, they don’t become “focused on race.” They become focused on excellence, leadership, and standing up for what’s right. The racial pride is just the foundation that makes everything else possible. Question #2: “Will this make my child angry or resentful toward white people?” Actually, the opposite happens. Children who learn comprehensive Black history – including stories of triumph, innovation, and achievement – develop what researchers call “racial resilience.” They’re less likely to internalize racism when they encounter it. They’re more likely to see prejudice as ignorance rather than truth. Most importantly, they’re more confident in interracial relationships be that friendships, work, or anywhere in life because they’re not carrying insecurity about their own background. When children learn about Frederick Douglass teaching himself to read and becoming one of America’s greatest orators, they don’t develop anger toward white people. They develop the determination to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. When they learn about Katherine Johnson’s calculations making the moon landing possible, they don’t focus on the discrimination she faced (although they do get to understand how messed up it was and we can talk about that later). They focus on the brilliance she demonstrated and the barriers she broke. Secure children don’t need to put others down to feel good about themselves. Question #3: “Shouldn’t we focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past?” This question reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about how cultural education works. We’re not “dwelling” on the past – we’re learning from it to create the future. Think about it this way: Would you tell a child not to learn about their family history because it’s “in the past”? Of course not. Family history gives children a sense of identity, belonging, and continuity. Cultural history does the same thing on a larger scale. When children learn about ancient African civilizations like the Kingdom of Kush, they’re not living in the past. They’re understanding that they come from people who built advanced societies, developed complex governments, and created lasting achievements. That knowledge gives them confidence to build their own future achievements. When they learn about Imhotep designing the first pyramid and writing the first medical texts, they’re not stuck in ancient Egypt. They’re inspired to become architects, doctors, engineers, or whatever they dream of becoming. The past becomes a launching pad for the future, not an anchor holding them back. Question #4: “Won’t this make it harder for my child to fit in with diverse groups?” Research shows exactly the opposite. Children with strong cultural identity are actually better at forming authentic relationships across racial lines. Here’s why: When you’re secure in who you are, you’re not threatened by people who are different. When you’re proud of your heritage, you’re curious about other people’s heritage. When you know your own story, you want to hear other people’s stories. Children who are insecure about their identity often try to “fit in” by minimizing their differences. But this creates shallow relationships based on pretending to be someone you’re not. Children with strong cultural identity bring their authentic selves to every relationship. They can share stories about Mansa Musa’s wealth and achievements while being genuinely interested in their Italian friend’s stories about Roman history. They can celebrate their connection to ancient African mathematics while appreciating their Asian classmate’s pride in Chinese innovations. Authenticity attracts authenticity. Confidence attracts confidence. Question #5: “What if my child starts asking difficult questions about racism and discrimination?” This is actually a good thing, not a problem to avoid. Children are going to encounter racism whether we prepare them for it or not. The question is: Do you want them to encounter it with context and confidence, or with confusion and vulnerability? When children learn comprehensive Black history, they develop a framework for understanding racism. They know it’s not about them – it’s about ignorance and fear. They know they come from people who overcame much worse challenges. They know they have the strength and intelligence to handle whatever comes their way. When they learn about Harriet Tubman leading people to freedom despite enormous danger, they understand that courage in the face of injustice is part of their heritage. When they learn about Thurgood Marshall arguing cases before the Supreme Court, they see that fighting for justice through excellence and persistence is their legacy. These stories don’t make children afraid of racism – they make children prepared for it. Question #6: “Is my child too young to learn about slavery and difficult parts of history?” You can teach age-appropriate Black history without focusing on trauma. For young children (ages 4-8), focus on stories of achievement, innovation, and leadership. Tell them about Queen Hatshepsut ruling ancient Egypt for 22 years and building magnificent temples. Share stories about Benjamin Banneker, the self-taught mathematician who helped design Washington, D.C. Talk about Mae Jemison becoming an astronaut and traveling to space. As children get older (ages 9-14), you can introduce more complex history, but always within the context of resilience and triumph. The key is to build a foundation of pride and strength first. When children know they come from kings and queens, scientists and inventors, leaders and innovators, they can handle learning about the challenges their ancestors faced. They understand that slavery was something that happened TO their people, not something that defines their people. Question #7: “What if this conflicts with what they’re learning in school?” This is actually an opportunity, not a problem. When children learn comprehensive Black history at home, they become resources for their classmates and teachers. They can respectfully add context when the school curriculum is incomplete. They can share additional information during class discussions. They can suggest books and resources for school projects. I’ve seen children become cultural ambassadors in their schools, helping everyone learn more complete history. When a child learns about the ancient University of Sankore in Timbuktu, they can share that information when the class studies medieval universities. When they know about Granville Woods’ 50+ patents, they can contribute to discussions about American inventors. This doesn’t create conflict – it creates leadership opportunities. Question #8: “How do I know if this is actually working for my child?” Here are the signs that cultural education is having a positive impact: Academic confidence: Your child approaches challenging subjects with the attitude “I can figure this out” rather than “I’m not smart enough.” Social confidence: They form friendships easily while maintaining their authentic personality. Resilience: When they face obstacles or negative comments, they bounce back quickly rather than internalizing the negativity. Curiosity: They ask questions about history, science, and current events because they see themselves as capable of understanding complex topics. Leadership: They speak up in group settings and aren’t afraid to share their ideas. Cultural pride: They talk positively about their heritage and can share interesting facts with friends and family. Future orientation: They have big dreams and believe they can achieve them. One mother told me her 8-year-old daughter went from saying “I’m not good at math” to saying “Math is in my DNA – my ancestors created advanced mathematical systems.” That’s the transformation we’re looking for. The Bottom Line Every question I’ve addressed comes from love and concern for children’s well-being. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with thousands of families: The risks of NOT providing cultural education far outweigh any perceived risks of providing it. Children who don’t know their history are vulnerable to negative messaging about their capabilities. Children who don’t understand their heritage struggle with identity and confidence issues. Children who aren’t prepared for racial realities are shocked and hurt when they encounter them. But children who learn comprehensive Black history develop unshakeable confidence, authentic relationships, and the resilience to thrive in any environment. This Is What the Sankofa Club Provides Week on week, we address these exact concerns through: – Stories that build pride without creating division – Age-appropriate content that strengthens rather than traumatizes – Community discussions where parents can ask questions and share experiences – Resources that complement rather than conflict with school learning – Activities that develop confidence, curiosity, and leadership skills We’ve spent over five years perfecting this approach based on feedback from thousands of families. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to navigate every concern you might have. Your Next Step If you still have questions, that’s normal and healthy. But don’t let questions become excuses for inaction. Your child is forming their identity right now, with or without your guidance. They’re developing beliefs about their capabilities, their heritage, and their potential. The question isn’t whether they’ll learn about race and identity. The question is whether they’ll learn positive, empowering messages or absorb whatever society happens to send their way. You can give them the gift of comprehensive cultural education. You can provide them with the foundation of pride and confidence that will serve them for life. You can connect them with a community of families who share your values and concerns. The Sankofa Club is here to support you every step of the way. Learn from the past to create the future, Freddie Taylor Founder, Urban Intellectuals & Sankofa Club Black History Fanatic & Father P.S. So after a few months of being in the Sankofa Club, what is that grandmother saying now? “I was worried about the wrong thing. I should have been worried about my granddaughter NOT knowing how amazing her heritage is. Now she walks taller, speaks up more, and helps other kids feel proud too. This isn’t creating division – it’s creating leaders.” |
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“But Won’t This Make My Child Too Focused on Race?” (And 7 Other Questions Every Parent Asks)
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