Rockmond Dunbar Instagram – Posted @withregram • @mrs_maya_dunbar I’ll never forget when Berkeley started Kindergarten last year– I signed up to be a room mom volunteer every Tuesday. Around the 3rd week, on my day to come to class, I was looking at the children’s artwork displayed around the classroom. I stopped in front of Berkeley’s work and my heart sank. The little girl in her photo was colored white with blonde hair. Later that day, at home Rock and I asked Berkeley why she chose to color the girl that way. And she innocently shrugged her shoulders and said, ‘I don’t know. Everyone else’s looked like this.’ Now, mind you this is 1) a class that only had 2 blondes and a handful of brown kids and 2) coming from a 5 yr old that has never watched Frozen/white disney princess stuff or had white dolls. (because we are very aware of the importance in instilling self love in her & supplying an environment rich with things that reflect what she looks like. Considering this is a country that doesn’t find value in black beauty) Rock and I, with love of course, talked to her about the importance of depicting her art in a way that honors her own aesthetic. Regardless of what is happening around her. Some parents may read this and think: what’s the big deal? or, we don’t harp on race in our house. That’s fine if you’re white. But for black & brown children, it’s not OK. This is the subtle start of self hate. Planting seeds of inferiority and finding fault in our blackness while finding value in that which is white and ‘right’. So a year later, as we embark on our homeschool journey, the pure joy I feel when I see the natural inclination in Berkeley to love blackness, to have pride in her culture, her ancestors and her history. To always search out ways to celebrate the beauty that is in her skin and the rhythm of the blood that flows through her veins…words cannot properly explain my own happiness watching her grow into a strong, intelligent, proud black girl. Unapologetic in her love for her people. Embracing the responsibility that comes with the Gift of brown skin. PRO-BLACK is not anti-white! Teach these babies to honor who they are. ALL of themselves. Including this beautiful melanin. #bl