https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice A space for us to learn, grow, and be in community en-us 2023-02-15 17:28:48 UTC 2026-01-27 12:33:07 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f331.png https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2511829945 I have been reflecting a lot about the foundation we build for our kids in our teaching about Black History Month.

My nine year old has come home talking about slavery and I have been curious how to teach about our past through focusing on the Black Leaders throughout time that have resisted and thrived and led and how  we work together in solidarity and how to start from that place of teaching with our kids. Celebrating beauty and creative energy.  

On page xiii the final paragraph says, " Supremacy systems are deeply committed to malnourishing us of justice wisdom, movement history, disconnecting us from movement leaders and the power of justice work making positive changes in the here and now.  I want my kids to be nourished and connected - in their hearts, minds, bodies, and soul--with justice values, leadership, culture, history, and movements of today."

I love the idea of how we use this book and this practice to nourish our families with justice wisdom and movement history, interrupting our own narratives in our family lines of powerlessness and transform our families into their own butterflies of nourished souls.  





]]> 2023-03-10 13:24:46 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2511829945 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2511838178 On page xv Angela talks about why Black is capitalized and white is not.  I have noticed this in more and more anti-racist writing and have been curious about my own relationship with it.   

I would love to chat deeply someday with a group of people about what does it mean to develop a positive social identity around whiteness.  There is a great class a friend of mine is taking right now called Before We  Were White and it sounds like it is deconstructing whiteness and helping folks with European ancestry identify more with their pre white identity in the United States.  
This has special significance to me as I think about the Celts this time of year with the celebration of St Patricks Day and how I interpret the celebration with music, food, and story telling with our children.  


]]> 2023-03-10 13:30:55 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2511838178 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2511852927 My identity involves upbringing by a parent that was very controlling and a perfectionist and one that was a consensus builder and believed in equality.  As a result I have noticed that I have struggled as a parent in healing my own childhood wounds as I work on developing the skills to be the parent I imagined I would be.  

On page 10 I was struck by Angela's reflection on building relationships with kids based on respect rather than control,  quoting of Teresa Graham Brett...."We can choose to use our power to support, facilitate, and assist the growth of children in ways that affirm their personal power, dignity, and humanity."

I loved this section and can feel transformative moments as I take this work on as a parent. ]]> 2023-03-10 13:41:58 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2511852927 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529570299
As I read the forward and introduction, I was struck by the awareness and the realness of each writer, their willingness to maintain an incredible sense of self-awareness, as well as the global awareness of how social justice issues are impacted by everything we do. 

I felt relief as I was reading, because every day, I think of how everything I do impacts the world and all people. I also think about my privilege, as Angela refers to as "unearned privilege," and how many things I know are so much easier for me than for so many others, there is so much I just don't have to worry about, that effect other people's access to having their basic needs met. 

I strongly believe in inclusion, it's what I'm most passionate about, so I really resonated with Angela's concept that separateness is a fundamental issue and the cause of world problems. 

]]> 2023-03-23 23:47:55 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529570299 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529581238 I felt relief as I was reading, like every word was filling a need social justice issues to be openly discussed, in a space where people are real about their awareness of themselves and others, and how what we all do effects the whole.

I work on taking steps forward for inclusion for people with special needs, with a non-profit organization called Theatre Adventure, so I'm constantly involved in addressing needs for inclusion. 

Outside of that community, discussion of other social justice issues, as described in the opening paragraph of the introduction, are things I don't often encounter in daily life. As Angela describes her feet on stolen land, the clothes she wears and the computer she uses as connected to exploitation in labor practices, I just felt so thankful to hear her voice the challenges of navigating the world we live in, while doing everything we can to keep our relationship with the world around us just, equal and inclusive. 

My sense of relief symbolizes to me how grateful I am to have this opportunity, to read this book and to be a part of this group. 

]]> 2023-03-24 00:01:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529581238 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529589153 As I read the opening paragraph of the introduction, I felt so thankful for the opportunity to hear Angela voice her awareness, the reality of how everything we do effects the whole world. 

As she described her feet as being on stolen ground, and her possessions being linked to exploitative labor practices around the world, including in the US, I felt relieved to hear her honesty in navigating the challenges of living mindfully, of holding the awareness of how everything we do affects social justice issues. 

I'm part of a nonprofit organization called Theatre Adventure, for people with special needs, where I'm consistently involved in inclusion work. Outside of my inclusive community, the social justice issues brought up in this book are things I'm constantly thinking about but don't have the opportunity and daily life to talk about or hear others talk about. 

I'm grateful for the bravery of everyone who contributed to writing this book, speaking so honestly about themselves and their experiences, to me what I've read so far feels like an invitation to open up social justice issues that are not common topics of conversation in daily life.]]> 2023-03-24 00:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529589153 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529623906 I feel challenged by the privilege I'm carrying. I'm concerned that I'm contributing to oppression, inequality, racism and other social justice issues, without realizing it, by nature of being a white, typically developing, heterosexual, US citizen who speaks English as my first language. 

I don't want to be identified with the privileges I happen to have, and I don't want these privileges to create separateness between myself and other people who don't share these privileges. I don't want to be perceived as privileged, I don't want to be categorized, or have assumptions made about me. 

I want to gain more awareness of how I am contributing to social justice issues without realizing it, and I want to learn about navigating the world we live in, without contributing to separateness.


]]> 2023-03-24 00:37:51 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529623906 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529629435 I feel a sense of guilts knowing how much more I have than so many others, it would be helpful to me to transform that into a more empowered perception of how I can live promoting more equality. ]]> 2023-03-24 00:41:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2529629435 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2535442159 A challenge for me is that I do not have children, but my partner and I both have nephews that we care deeply about and spend lots of time with. Our thinking about children as fully formed humans who should be free to take risks, to make mistakes, to express themselves, to be spoken to honestly about things, etc. is in stark contrast to the views of their parents and grandparents. I can see the harm that is being done to these children that I love by adults that are overprotective, controlling, and avoidant of reality in many ways. Part of me feels like I shouldn't be advising people on parenting or grandparenting or expressing any concerns because it's presumptuous and has the potential to damage family relationships. On the other hand, I sort of feel like it is my duty to advocate for my nephews who have very little autonomy or control over their lives. I get stuck into thinking there is no point in rocking the boat knowing that it most likely won't change anything and will only damage my relationships with the adults and perhaps make them distrustful of me.]]> 2023-03-28 17:55:23 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2535442159 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2535504326 Quotes that made me reflect/pause:
"I was not taught to see how my life circumstance was connected to the lives of others, and especially not to the problems I was seeing around me." - I love this reflection here. It reminds me of how mindfulness has been instrumental in supporting my embodiment of interconnectivity. What I do has a direct effect on others. What I purchase. What I wear. How I raise my kids. Who I vote for. Powerful stuff.

"I am harmed by being separated...by focusing on my individual growth and fulfillment instead of on the collective." This goes along with the thinking above. When we are hyperfocused on ourselves, we lose sight of the direct impact our actions have on the lives of others. I want my children to understand this impact.

Something else that showed up for me was this idea of 'othering' and it made me think about smashing the whole damn kyriarchy. Systems of oppression feed off each other - ableism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, the list goes on and on. When we shift towards connected thinking and visioning, this comes up for us.]]> 2023-03-28 18:43:56 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2535504326 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2566095816 2023-04-24 17:57:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2566095816 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567864248 I was struck throughout chapter one and two by the bravery of everyone who contributed their personal experience. It's incredible to me, the bravery with which Angela, and all who contributed, face the vast array of social justice issues, without being afraid to confront these issues, and speak honestly about how painful they are, and how they affect us all. I sensed a deep level of bravery, and unwavering commitment. It's tremendous to see the lengths Angela went to address these issues, in a way that was real and raw, and provided reasonable steps we can all take to make an impact. The tone with which these chapters are written is a unique balance of painfully honest, while inspiring change. Angela's tone confronts social justice issues while leaving me feeling like creating change and taking steps for change is completely accessible to me. The beginning of chapter one mentions the necessity of being able to envision where we want to be, and I strongly believe in a vision I hold for the inclusive world I want to live in. The structure of these chapters made it feel relatable and achievable, like we're all in this together and we all have the power to impact. As I was reading, I was able to hold both the pain of the reality of these issues, and feel inspired by the capacity we have to create change. It is truly an honor to read Angela's work. ]]> 2023-04-25 22:20:10 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567864248 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567904703 Another principle that is stood out to me is the concept of inequality harming all of us, and oppression harming all involved, both those who are oppressed and those with privilege. I believe that what we all do effects all of us, and I appreciate the way these chapters are written, addressing all of humanity, as a whole. The discussion on privilege and oppression in particular feels relatable, the tone Angela takes feels accessible to all of us, as she describes privilege and oppression in ways that hold up mirrors to different points and aspects in my own life where I have felt on both sides. Angela's capacity to express social justice issues, privilege and the harm and the separateness they cause, while encompassing the human experience is remarkable. As I was reading I felt comfortable relating, as I looked at the comic strip demonstrating privilege, I see myself on both sides, at different points in time. What is remarkable to me is this book invites me to do that, to see my own reflections from my own life on both sides of privilege and oppression and feel comfortable looking at those reflections in the tone this book provides. ]]> 2023-04-25 23:30:59 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567904703 aprilbrownconsulting https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567912841 What resonated with me most from these two chapters (although there was SO much information, "ahas" and curiosity) was the emphasis on using experiential learning to parent for social justice. As an educator & educator coach, I use a cycle of inquiry with my students and fellow teachers, but I hadn't frame my journey parenting for social justice in this way prior. Page 61-63 provides a lot of goodness and support, and I love how Angela says they are not meant to provide a "perfect approach" because perfection is impossible (and a characteristic of white supremacist culture). I'm looking forward to using this cycle of inquiry to document our learning as a family! We created a manifesto as a family a few years ago during a Family Summer 4 Black Lives Initiative (through Books for Littles, Philly Children's Movement, among other orgs) & these chapters offered a gentle reminder to continue this documentation. I'm attaching our manifesto here in case it inspires curiosity...]]> 2023-04-25 23:41:29 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567912841 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567958138 A quote on page 44 stood out to me as particularly powerful: "These injustices are not new, but they are also not inevitable. They were created by humans and humans can create a world in which justice and equity are the priority."

I find the phrase "not inevitable" empowering, and framing these injustices as being created by humans speaks to the human capacity to restructure the world we live in. ]]> 2023-04-26 00:28:46 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2567958138 https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2569343093 I found the transcripted examples of conversations between parents and children to be really helpful. They show how one can be committed to honoring children's curiosities and to acknowledging hard realities, but that these conversations do not have to be perfect or feel complete in one go. 

I firmly believe that more harm comes from not trying or avoiding conversations about injustice with young people than having a vulnerable and potentially messy conversation. ]]> 2023-04-26 20:37:49 UTC https://padlet.com/aprilbrownconsulting/parenting4socialjustice/wish/2569343093