Having a positive racial identity is absolutely crucial for Black and Brown children. There’s research that says a Black child is more susceptible to teachers expectations and how it impacts their psyche. When we talk about a positive racial identity, this is both the shield and the tool that children of color need in order to be successful in society. But you have to understand the positive racial identity…
What harms it?
What helps it?
Mirrors in your curriculum, in your instruction, supports a positive racial identity for children of color. When they can see their contributions, when they see you understand their communities contributions, and their history, and their legacy in this country and in this world…it means something special to them and it can help empower them and inspire them to work harder, go further, and dig deeper into the impact that they can have.