Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Vol. 9/Issue 2

Page 24

Bear the Truth

In the beginning of June, as the nation found

their respective homes would take vastly dif-

but a reflection and a testament of society’s

itself amassed in struggle: from enduring a

ferent courses.

prejudices against you because of the color of

pandemic to protests arising in every state

your skin. In Lily-Mae Young’s home, as the

against racial injustice and police brutality, a

In Sabaea’s home, as the mother of a young,

mother of a young, White boy, the conversa-

large portion of Americans found themselves

Black boy, the conversation would resem-

tion was focused on promoting equality, and

unable to find their footing and voice in the bat-

ble those that have taken place in the black

ensuring that the prejudices that America has

tle for the betterment of our country, while also

community for centuries: that the way society

held against our Black brothers and sisters,

prioritizing the safety of their loved ones. Two

views you is not a testament of your character,

does not become ingrained in him as well. The

moms in Sherman Oaks, Sabaea Wynter and

question then arose: how do they get families

Lily-Mae Young, found themselves in conver-

of various races, ethnicities, and religions, to

sation about how they could become involved

begin having these conversations with their

in the protests, while also protecting the health

children as well?

of their two year old sons and ensuring they will not face these same problems growing up.

A few people had reached out to Sabaea to ask her if and how she was explaining recent

24

While they found it difficult to explain to their

events to her young, Black son. Her immediate

toddlers the complexity and nuances racial in-

response was that she was not going to, be-

justice in our country, they also realized that

cause she didn't believe that at such a young

it is never to early to start these difficult, but

age, he would be able to grasp the complex

necessary conversations with their families,

subject. However, Lily reached out to her to po-

so their children would not have to unlearn

tentially partner together on a project that would

the same internalized and subconscious prej-

make this information tangible to the youngest

udices they had to as adults. The two mothers,

generation. Born out of this discussion was

however, realized that the two conversations in

Bear The Truth, the solution to the various

| NAWRB MAGAZINE


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