How to Protest Social Justice at Home With Your Children
The world is in great motion now. On the one hand, you have a terrifying global pandemic; on the other hand, society is in the midst of the awakening of social injustice. Many families want to be part of the movement, but are still wary of going too far from their safe quarantine place.
In some cities, such as Boston and Philadelphia , social justice youth organizations are encouraging young activists to support the cause virtually through Family Action Days. During these days of action, families work together to make their voices heard among each other and in their communities. But in between these days of activity (or if you can’t find anything in your area) there are other ways you and your family can get involved in the movement – even on a social distance.
Start with a protest playlist
If you can’t find the words, let the music do it for you. Work with the whole family to create the perfect protest playlist. Your family playlist can talk about how you are feeling – it can sing about change and talk about how to treat or how to act. Your playlist will be alive, breathing. Feel free to add or omit songs as your family continues to learn and grow. Consider sharing your playlist with loved ones or on social media for more suggestions for adding songs.
Change work
Doing something good is as simple as cleaning up a few extra plates around the house – encourage children to donate some of their benefits for the good. As Keith Stone suggests in PopSugar , families that can afford can make a difference in the world by supporting a social justice organization, a bond fund, or helping families affected by violence and social injustice. Work with your family to research potential beneficiaries and take turns discussing which efforts are resonating and why. Stone writes:
Unite your children by asking them to donate some of their allowance to another organization twice a month. Let them know what each organization does and let them choose where they would like to deposit their funds. When the organization has achieved one of its goals, let the child know that their donation helped.
Advocate for Better Education
Join your children in writing letters to teachers and school administrators in support of teaching the Black Lives Matter curriculum. Lesson plans and resources have already been created and are available through Black Lives Matter At School . Information is available and ready for training; help your children demand it.
TikTok is your way to change
TikTok has quickly gone from where you do your weirdest dance moves to a social justice platform. Children teach other children lessons on a range of topics from What is Racism? on “How to clear tear gas from your eyes?” Watch and learn with your kids (the hashtags #peacefulprotest, #blmmovement, and #justiceforgeorge will get you started) and / or create your own TikTok video that can help, inform or express your family’s emotions during this time.
Create and share the art of social justice
Help your kids draw, design or color artwork about social justice or what the Black Lives Matter movement means to them. By attaching your artwork to the refrigerator, your message only takes a few square feet, so share your masterpiece with others by posting it on social media and then hang it on your front door or window for neighbors to enjoy.
For inspiration, visit the National Education Association’s EdJustice website and explore their Share Art for Action gallery.
Organize a car watch
Organize your family, friends and neighbors for a car demo. In Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania , families were recently encouraged to decorate their cars, turn on flashing lights and take part in a car procession demonstration in support of racial equality. This vigil can be as simple as a route through your area, or as difficult as driving through a town square.
Get organized
Keep the conversation going and active as you help your child start a youth activist organization at school this fall. It can be a new club, created from scratch, or a new branch of an existing youth organization. For starters, Teaching Tolerance provides free social justice education resources for teachers and youth organizers. They also offer a handy guide for youth activist clubs.