Book Description

In the book, The Answers: A Parent's Guide to Discussing Racism with Children, parents get effective tools to help them have "the race talk" with their kids. The best way to teach adults or children how to do anything, is by using critical thinking. The author, Troya Bishop, is a former middle school teacher, a well known activist in Atlanta, and the Executive Director for Parental Empowerment Institute (PEI). She explains that as an advocate for parents, she is often asked questions regarding how to talk to children about racism. With the social climate in America becoming increasingly volatile and hostile towards African American youth, she decided to put the strategies in a book. "At PEI, I serve parents from different ethnic groups and they all care deeply about what is going on in America. Helping them to have an appropriate conversation can be difficult, when their perspective of history is incorrect," says Troya. She uses a unique approach to frame this discussion about racism with two underlying components: poverty and oppression. Historically, oppressed and impoverished people have responded to oppression and poverty in ways that are consistent, regardless of ethnic group and geographical location. The psychological nature of human response to social constructs (i.e. oppression, poverty, etc.) has been consistent for thousands of years. She poses a question that stumps most people of all ethnic groups: Have Black/African American people responded to oppression in ways similar to other oppressed people in the world? Since most people cannot readily answer this question, this book grabs and holds the attention of all parents, guardians, and community members. The author explains that she raises the points of poverty and oppression, because the topic of racism in America is often approached in the framework of, "What's wrong with Black people," or "What Black people should be doing is...." Troya rejects that approach, which she says dehumanizes African Americans. She believes the delicate subject should be approached from the lens of humanity and with humility; not superiority or arrogance. When making comparisons to assess progress or to determine future outcomes, most people will agree that a fair comparison should be made. Whether comparing fruit- apples to apples, or a student's test scores- a first grader to a first grader, we must make sure that we are comparing things or subjects that are alike. In this work, she insists that we compare African Americans ONLY to other ethnic groups who have historically been subjected to poverty and oppression. So where does that leave us? You have to read the book and the workbook to find out. This is a MUST READ for every parent. She gives outstanding perspective, practical strategies, and purposeful conversation that leaves parents with all of the tools and strategies they need to confidently navigate "the race talk" with their children. The book concludes with interviews of 16 African American men. They share what they teach their children about racism, and how racism has impacted their lives. The companion workbook goes deeper to help parents discover what they believe, and why they believe it. Every parent needs this book/workbook for their family.