The protests have erupted in cities across the country over the deadly arrest of George Floyd. He was an unarmed Black man, who a white officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota pinned to the ground with his knee. This heartbreaking event has not only affected the people of the United States, but people around the world are also in a state of grief and shock by the loss of an innocent soul, George Floyd.
And as the protests continue, there are some celebrities, parents who have been facing a challenge to explain the whole situation and Floyd’s tragic death to their children. They’re finding it difficult to discuss why people would hate someone just because of the color of their skin. However, to prepare their kids on a psychological level, they are still having an open dialogue with them about racism. And this is what they have shared about their experiences
1. Victor Cruz
The former New York Giants player, Victor Cruz captioned a May protest Instagram photo: “I had the most tough conversation with my daughter about the color of her skin last night. How there are people in this world that will dislike you solely because of your race and background. Without ever knowing your story or struggle.” Cruz further concluded in a talk with US Weekly, “She nodded in agreement right before falling asleep. I nodded in sadness as she slept. This is America.”
2. Hilaria Baldwin
The author of the Living Clearly Method, Hilaria Baldwin wrote on her June 2 Instagram Story that: “Such a big part of one healing and solution needs to be raising our children right, without prejudice with compassion, respect and to cherish one another,” after her discussion with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart about having tough talks with children.
3. Reese Witherspoon
The American actress, Reese Witherspoon, wrote of her son Tennessee on June 1 via Instagram that: “We spoke to him about what happened to George Floyd. Being a white mother trying to explain racism and bigotry to her white son, who did not understand why anyone would treat another human being that way, was heartbreaking.”
4. Jenna Cooper
The Bachelor in paradise’s Jenna Cooper on June 1 via Instagram post, wrote that “I will be listening and learning, and know for sure that I will be teaching my daughter how God created every human equally and deserving of the same love and respect.”
5. Sheneille Jones
Today’s anchor & journalist, Sheinelle Jones, said on June 1 that her three children “cried” when she and her husband told children about Floyd’s death.
6. Katherine Heigl
The actress, Katherine Heigl added in her Instagram slideshow that: “I lay in my bed in the dark and weep for every mother of a beautiful divine black child who has to extinguish a piece of their beloved baby’s spirit to try to keep them alive in a country that has too many sleeping soundly.”
7. January Jones
January Jones, an American actress posted a photo of her 8-year-old son, Xander, on Instagram, which captioned: “I promise that I will always continue to talk to my child about inequality. And I promise to do all I can to learn more. We have had many more of these necessary hard conversations over the last few days, about why people are so angry and sad. For a child who didn’t used to see color amongst his friends it’s hard for him to understand, to understand why the past he learns about in school is still very present in our world today.”
8. Thomas Rhett
The Grammy nominee, Thomas Rhett captioned on May 31 Instagram post while featuring the Romans 12:9 Bible verse that, “As the father of a black daughter and also two white daughters, I have struggled with what to say today,” He further added that, “I get scared when I think about my daughters and what kind of world they will be growing up in and how my JOB as a father is to show them how to lead with love in the face of hate.”
