Poster #57 - Color-Conscious or Color-Blind? Racial Socialization Among Black- and White American Families during Black Lives Matter

• In Event: Poster Session 04

Abstract

Black- and White American parents engage in racial socialization (RS) with their children in many different ways. Past research suggests that following events of racial injustice (e.g., Ferguson), Black parents were more likely to discuss these events compared to White parents, who remained mostly silent. However, few studies have examined differences in parental engagement in RS among Black and White parents during the height of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement in summer 2020. The goal of this study is to examine how Black- and White American parents engaged in conversations about BLM during summer 2020.

Data were from the Uncovering COVID-19 Experiences and Realities (UnCOVER) – Parent Supplement Study, an online survey consisting of Black American (n=108, Mage=37.06, 72.2% female) and White American (n=226, Mage=37.60, 57.5% female) parents of children ages 4-11 (White children: Mage=7.29; 48.28% girls; Black children: Mage=7.04, 44.44% girls) collected from August 1-13, 2020 in the United States. Parents were asked open-ended questions about their discussions with their child concerning BLM. Thematic analyses were utilized to extract themes on the types of RS messages occurring around BLM as well as reasons for not discussing BLM across Black and White parents.

The majority of parents (65.3%) reported engaging in conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement with their children (72.2% Black parents; 62.1% White parents; χ2(1, N=334)=3.35, p=0.07). Key themes that emerged among Black and White parents included color-conscious and color-blind messages, with Black parents engaging heavily in color-conscious messages and White parents utilizing more color-blind messaging. Additional themes included messages undermining BLM (e.g., focusing on violent protests; “all lives matter”) and endorsing equal treatment (e.g., telling their children to treat everyone equally even if others do not). Further, among Black parents, many engaged in socialization that centered around their racial identity as Black Americans, including sub-themes that highlighted meaning making, preparation for racial bias, and messages of racial pride and empowerment. Black and White Parents who did not engage in conversations about BLM most often cited child age and naivety as a reason for not having these conversations with their child.

These results indicate that Black and White parents discussed the Black Lives Matter movement with their children in different ways. In contrast to previous research, many White parents reported engaging in discussions about BLM. However, while some White parents engaged in color-conscious socialization, many White parents were promoting color-blind ideologies, which undermines the fight for racial equity. Developing programs to support White American parents in talking more critically about race, racism, and anti-racism is imperative to the fight for racial equity. Additionally, it is important to address parental concerns for engaging in these discussions across Black- and White American parents, such as child age and desire to shield their children.

Authors

• Kara Chung, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  Presenting Author

• Leoandra Onnie Rogers, Northwestern University

• Michael Cunningham, Tulane University

• David Chae, Tulane School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine