Guiding Our Future: Lessons to Share with Our Children

“What can I tell my Black childrenAbout the captivity of living in this dark skin?What can I say to my precious child,The fruit of my womb,On their beauty when they encounter disgust towards all things Black?” These lines from Margaret Burroughs’ poignant poem from 1963 resonate profoundly today, particularly as Black children head back to school. Burroughs' words pose an essential inquiry: What knowledge will we impart to our youth? As another academic year begins, families and communities must contemplate: What realizations will our children truly gain? Beyond math and science, will they explore the profound truths of their heritage, including ancient kingdoms like Kush and Mali? Will they learn about the exceptional Dogon people, who accurately charted Sirius B, or contributions from Black inventors like Lewis Latimer? With a landscape of systemic injustice, the imperative arises to empower Black genius as a reality. Initiatives like GriotSpeaks aim to provide essential knowledge and cultural clarity for parents, reigniting a narrative that champions Black brilliance.