In order to initiate a dialogue about what anti-racist education is and its importance, it is necessary to understand that in addition to the curriculum adopted by teachers, the learning process in schools takes place through the welcome.
The word host means a place where one finds support, protection and refuge and is derived from the verb welcome, which means to listen and consider. When they do not feel protected, supported and realize that their story is not relevant within the school environment, children no longer want to go to school, which affects their development and learning.
data from Pnad Continuing Education Research from 2019 show that of the 11 million people between the ages of 15 and 29 who could not read or write, 76% were black or brown. This figure shows how anti-racist education from kindergarten and through-school care is fundamental for black children to be literate at the right age.
What is Anti-Racist Education?
Anti-racist education is based on the fact that racism is part of the fabric of society and therefore must be combated, both in the classroom and in the community in which the child is placed.
In this way and in accordance with the Law 10,639Education, the teaching of African culture and history, the struggle of black people and their cultural contribution in Brazil, as well as their role in the formation of the Brazilian people, should be addressed throughout the school curriculum. This makes the important facts about black history and identity that were previously left out of textbooks part of the school curriculum.
In addition to this content, anti-racist education seeks to prepare students and teachers, regardless of their skin color, to understand that differences must be valued and respected and that the fight against racism must take place inside and outside the school and reach all living environments. Because only then can the children and young people of today in the future live in a world with respect, empathy and free from prejudice.
Why is she important?
Imagine a black student who goes to a school where the culture, identity and history of his people is not studied or even acknowledged. The sense of belonging, characteristic of coexistence at school, is extremely diminished for this child because how can they feel motivated to learn and interact with peers if they do not feel part of the class and do not see themselves in the classroom? covered content?
This is why anti-racist education is so important, because it not only saves black people’s cultural history, it offers black children a new perspective on learning by expanding their reference repertoire. In addition, the child is also protagonist of your learning process and an agent of change for your future and the world around you.
Anti-racist education is also essential to prepare children and young people of all races to become respectful, ethical and critical citizens through raising awareness and living with diversity.
While Law 10,639 is mandatory for primary and secondary education, early childhood teachers must also include anti-racist education in their lesson plans.
It is essential that teachers are clear about the importance of the subject and have a voice to present in a clear and objective way the impact of racial prejudice in the lives of people who have experienced situations of racism. Children learn racist attitudes by living with adults, so racism within the school environment should be addressed immediately, involving families.
In addition to this training, teachers can also use the child protagonism as a tool to highlight black students, stories, stories and characters. In this way, the cultural repertoire of the whole class is expanded. One way to do this is by reading and approaching books with black main charactersAfter all, books are windows to a world of new discoveries.
How can the family encourage prejudice-free education at home?
To effectively combat racism in children, it is essential that the family complements and reinforces learning at school with initiatives at home.
Teaching the little ones to admire, respect and know black stories, stories and artists, and practice values like respect and empathy, is an excellent first step towards adopting anti-racist education at home.
How about investing in books, games, drawings, films and games that stimulate contact with the culture and history of black people? Playful content like animation her lovewhich won an Oscar in 2020, and the Alfabantu app, which teaches kids the Kimbundu African language through fun games, are also great options for encouraging little ones to learn and appreciate black cultures.
How can children’s literature encourage anti-racist education?
Books open doors to new universes and present topics relevant to the development of little ones in a light-hearted and fun way. For this reason, presenting stories from authors of children’s literature with stories that focus on the approach to diversity, culture, history and black protagonists is extremely important.
In this article we present more than: 10 children’s books that bring black people and their identities as protagonists. Ranging from stories about African culture to universal themes such as empathy and respect, the works can be read as a family and discussed with children of all ages.
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