Books to teach a white mum about racism

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A bit of a strange one maybe...

I am a white British mother to two mixed black African and white British daughters who are 4 and 9 months. Their dad is very much dedicated to them understanding their roots so that isn't an issue.

Whilst speaking to one of my friends who happens to be black she asked me how I intend to deal with my daughters potentially facing racism in their lives - and basically it floored me, because I have no plan.

It made me realise that my daughters being from an open and multicultural family, teaching them about culture and people and religion is not really arming them with the resilience as black children in Britain today. The recent vote has also send me very wobbly and I know a lot of my friends of mixed race children feel devastated about what this means for them...

So what I'm asking is how can I educate myself and learn how to deal with potential racism and raise strong mixed race women- Any advice greatly appreciated, I don't want to be a naive woman who can't support her children

Many thanks

The recent vote has also send me very wobbly and I know a lot of my friends of mixed race children feel devastated about what this means for them...

Not the point of the thread I know, but what DOES the recent vote mean for mixed race children?

@MrsJoshNavidi it's more that we live in a more divided society. My SIL (Thai) never had abuse before the referendum. But started getting nasty racist comments/ heckling afterwards.

If you're from the UK, have you read Natives by Akala? The author is a mixed race guy from London. While it doesn't give you 'how to deal with racism' instructions it's still very insightful and educational in terms of racism, I'd really recommend it.

Forgot to say, it was published recently so it's very current...

Becoming by Michelle Obama, not exactly about Britain and mixed race families, but talks about race and various aspects of family life.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
by Reni Eddo-Lodge - very contemporary and Britain centered

Thanks to many of you for your recommendations I've had a little sesh on Amazon so will eagerly await what the books have to offer.

Much appreciated

@Bibijayne sorry to hear about your SIL and that j you for your response

Don't touch my hair by Emma Dabiri is great! Can't recommend her writing enough.

Brit - ish - is a good book

As is Black and British by David Olusoga

I have a mixed race son. The strategy in our house will be to discuss race relations, identity etc but also celebrate black figures like Mary Seacole and those who have paved the way

My kids are black African and white British, I'm white.
Here's a book I've used with them ( hope the photo attaches, it's called The Skin I'm In).
I read it myself first and it gave me useful, age appropriate, language to discuss racism with them before reading it with them.

As part of my efforts to increase their resilience to the racism they will face, we also discuss well known black role models, currently using the book 'Young, gifted and black'.

Dad's heritage is Ghanaian so we have books in English & Twi. He sings to them in Twi. I found a book of West African crafts for kids.

Hi op

I'm the same, I'm white with a black/Jamaican partner. We have 2 children together.

I read the willie lynch document and was gobsmacked. Made me cry.

I literally did research all over the internet and spoke with in laws.

My eldest daughter had a racial slur aimed at her "bush monkey".. I made it clear to her it was racist. I'm still in the process of doing a complaints form to the school..

What have you done in order to find out more.?

I recommend Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch and Why I'm no longer talking (to white people) about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. They both address the experience of being black or mixed race in the UK, including the subtle ways in which racism can occur.

I also really recommend All you can ever know by Nicole Chung. It's the memoir of a Korean-American woman adopted by a white family. It's one of the best things I've read this year. It explains really well the experience of being a different race from your parent and potentially having them dismiss or misunderstand racism you experience and add to it themselves. Also does a great job on the feeling of 'not-quite-belonging' she is visually different from her family and also has very little knowledge of her Korean heritage.

Hi,

I know this might be a bit late but my children just recently completed an on-line African History Course. The course was taught by a great teacher from a tutoring company called Aspiring Minds Academy.

The course has helped my children (age 11 & 13) to understand more about their heritage...to be honest it has also taught me a lot!

Hope this has helped.

Twi is next on my list for my children to learn. Good to hear someone else doing the same

I would definitely recommend taking a look at 'A Mighty Girl'. They have a facebook page and a website and they are always posting stories of inspiring women, a lot of the time women of colour or books on heritage, multiculturalism, and racism. On their website they have book recommendations categorised and you could try the sections multicultural fiction, immigration, or prejudice/discrimination. There's loads on there, there are 544 books just in their 'racial/ethnic discrimination' section for example! You can also filter by age group to make it easier. It is a US based site, but when you click into a book on their website it tells you if it's available on UK Amazon.
www.amightygirl.com/books/social-issues/prejudice-discrimination/racial-ethnic-discrimination