Empathy and curiosity are the foundation for interacting with people who are different from us and the first steps to counter systems of racism and oppression. It can be difficult to have conversations about this with our children, whether because as a racial minority it is a painful discussion or because from places of privilege, we are wary of getting things wrong.

Ask your child this week about differences between members of your family, to start. Wonder together how you can show empathy or knowing how others think and feel in your own household. Sometimes those nearest us are both the safest and most difficult place to start in practicing curiosity and empathy.