Antiracist Parenting Podcast
E12: Antiracist Parenting in the Context of Multiracial Families with Melissa Beck
In this episode, SooJin and Hannah sit down with TV personality Melissa Beck (formerly known as Melissa Howard) from MTV’s reality series The Real World: New Orleans (2000). Melissa found her true calling in motherhood and is raising three mixed-race daughters with her partner, Justin. As an antiracist parent, Melissa is helping her children to “see” difference by immersing them into different - and sometimes uncomfortable - environments and has found food to be a great catalyst for learning. She reflects on her own childhood, growing up in a mixed-race family where colorism was prevalent, and describes how these experiences have shaped her approach to parenting. Melissa is building a truly safe space where her girls can explore their own racial identities and ask lots of questions. Nothing is off limits or “hushed” in their family. Melissa has a strong sense of self, a great sense of humor, and a quiet confidence that all contribute to her focused efforts to raise antiracist kids.
Please note: We sometimes use the acronym BIPOC, which means Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color.
Resources:
In this episode, SooJin and Hannah sit down with TV personality Melissa Beck (formerly known as Melissa Howard) from MTV’s reality series The Real World: New Orleans (2000). Melissa found her true calling in motherhood and is raising three mixed-race daughters with her partner, Justin. As an antiracist parent, Melissa is helping her children to “see” difference by immersing them into different - and sometimes uncomfortable - environments and has found food to be a great catalyst for learning. She reflects on her own childhood, growing up in a mixed-race family where colorism was prevalent, and describes how these experiences have shaped her approach to parenting. Melissa is building a truly safe space where her girls can explore their own racial identities and ask lots of questions. Nothing is off limits or “hushed” in their family. Melissa has a strong sense of self, a great sense of humor, and a quiet confidence that all contribute to her focused efforts to raise antiracist kids.
Please note: We sometimes use the acronym BIPOC, which means Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color.
Resources: