It can be hard to talk with kids about racism. But we know that by preschool age, many kids have already learned racial bias. It’s so important to start talking with kids about race and racism early and often, even if we do so imperfectly.

If you want some help figuring out where to start or how to continue to engage with your kids about race, check out these two videos. The first is from Dr. Kira Banks and a panel of parents with varying perspectives and helpful tools for engaging in conversations about race with kids. And the second is a Sesame Street town hall Q&A both kids and adults can enjoy and learn from.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/06/06/elmo-louie-protests-racism-sesame-street-cnn-town-hall-vpx.cnn

LCSG cares a great deal about the health of our community; it’s a core part of our mission to promote healthy eating, and provide access to fresh produce in Longview and Kelso. We also know that fighting racism is an important way to ensure everyone can thrive.

Pervasive and systemic racism is the reason Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other communities of color suffer disproportionately from completely preventable conditions like chronic diseases, shortened life expectancy, poor birth outcomes, and increased mortality from COVID-19.

Racism is a public health crisis. While our organization can and will continue to grow nutritious and delicious food, we will also work to undo our own implicit biases, and address the racist systems that prevent communities of color from accessing education, employment, safe and affordable housing and healthy food so that they can expect the same quality of life that white communities do.

To learn more, check out this article from Pew Trusts:

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/06/15/racism-is-a-public-health-crisis-say-cities-and-counties