ML Interest Tag: discrimination

15 Things to Teach the Whole Family about MLK

by Amber Guetebier

Make sure your kiddos know that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about more than a day off of school

Your little dreamers naturally understand the power and importance of having hopes and wishes, so learning facts about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his “I Have a Dream” speech is a tactile way to help kids understand the significance of who MLK Jr. was. Help the kids learn more about this chief spokesman for nonviolent activism, civil rights, and the end of racial segregation.

Bee Calder on Unsplash

1. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan. 15, 1929. His birth name was Michael but was changed to Martin by his father (who also changed his name) in 1934 (after Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s).

2. At 14 he won a contest with a speech about civil rights. 

3. He started college when he was just 15.

4. He worked for a newspaper as one of his first jobs.

5. Stevie Wonder wrote his song "Happy Birthday" to help build on the campaign to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. He asks a simple question throughout the song, “Why has there never been a holiday where peace is celebrated throughout the world? The time is overdue.” 

6. According to the King Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed 30 times for charges such as civil disobedience.

7. MLK Jr. was awarded 20 honorary degrees.

8. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was instrumental in getting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed. This act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It made it illegal to segregate based on race in schools, the workplace, and public accommodations (or facilities that serve the general public including hospitals and libraries). It may be hard for your kiddos to believe that there was once a time when children could not drink from the same drinking fountain or use the same bathroom because of the color of their skin. MLK fought to end that.

9. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in April 1964.

10. Martin Luther King Jr. married Coretta Scott on June 18, 1953. The ceremony was performed by his father, Martin Luther King Sr. Coretta had the vow "to obey" removed from the vows, which was almost unheard of at the time. 

11. MLK Jr. and his wife had four children: Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, Yolanda King, and Dexter King.

12. His "I Have a Dream" speech was not his first at the Lincoln Memorial. He gave a speech there on voting rights in 1957.

13. He survived an attempt on his life in 1958. He was stabbed with a letter opener by Izola Ware Curry. He underwent hours of emergency surgery. Surgeons said one sneeze could have punctured his aorta and killed him.

14. Martin Luther King Jr.'s mother was killed six years after his murder. She was shot while playing the organ at church.

15. One of the best ways kids can understand what he was all about is by listening to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which he made on Aug. 28, 1963. Kids of any age can listen and read along through this link. 

Unseen Histories on Unsplash

After listening to the speech, ask your kids a few questions to help them grasp the magnitude. Here are a few suggestions:

  • What does it feel like to be excluded? Have you ever been excluded from something?
  • What is a slave? What does it mean to be enslaved?
  • What was the emancipation proclamation? 
  • What is something you can do to make others feel more included?
  • Can you think of a time when you saw something wasn't right, and you spoke up?
  • What does the word "community" mean to you?
  • What do you love about your community?
  • Is there one thing you can do each day to help others?
  • What are the big things you'd like to change in the world?
  • What is your big dream?

with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

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9 Inspiring Ways to Spend Your MLK Day

by Debra Flanagan

The best ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with your kids in Chicago

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 16. With the kids off from school, you may be looking for ways to recognize this important holiday and honor & explore Dr. King’s inspiring legacy. Fortunately, Chicago has so many great museum exhibits, concerts, and service opportunities to choose from.

Did you know Martin Luther King, Jr. spent a lot of time in Chicago? He visited many times in the first decade of his public career.  In 1965, he teamed up with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to fight against segregation in Chicago Public Schools. He then became a leader in the Chicago Freedom Movement. The mission of the Chicago Freedom Movement was to end slums in the city, and it inspired two marches into all-white neighborhoods as part of an open-housing campaign. Martin Luther King, Jr. even lived for a time in a West side ghetto.

To learn more, visit the DuSable Museum of African American History or The Chicago History Museum. Appreciate the contributions of the African American community at the Chicago Sinfonietta or The Museum of Science and Industry. Follow Dr. King’s example by participating in a day of service. Whichever you choose, we got you covered with some excellent options for spending the holiday.

 

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Chicago History Museum

Commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Chicago History Museum's day-long family event. Join the museum as they reflect on his life and work, particularly in Chicago with the Chicago Freedom Movement, through special family-friendly activities and performances. This event is FREE with Museum admission, which is complimentary for Illinois residents on this day.

Date: Jan. 16, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park
Online: chicagohistory.org

2. Chicago History Museum's Remembering Dr. King

Remembering Dr. King is a collection of 25 photographs depicting key moments in Dr. King's work during the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit places a special emphasis on his time in Chicago shedding light on the existence of discrimination and segregation. the abysmal state of housing and the realities of poverty in the north.

Date:Ongoing

Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park
Online: chicagohistory.org

3. Chicago Sinfonietta's Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert

Leading the nation in programming works by women and diverse, under-represented composers, Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation’s most diverse orchestra, presents its annual MLK Tribute Concert, "Thunder", celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through family, equity and the encouragement to execute positive change.

Date: Jan. 15, 3 p.m.

Wentz Concert Hall
171 E. Chicago Ave.
Naperville

Date: Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Symphony Center
220 S. Michigan Ave.
Loop
Online: chicagosinfonietta.org 

4. Cradles to Crayons Donation Drive

Cradles to Crayons invites Chicagoland families to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by donating new or gently-used children's items at one of their 37 drop-off locations. The nonprofit organization provides essentials such as clothing, coats, books and toys to ensure all children, regardless of their socio-economic status, have what they need to feel safe, warm and valued. Click this link for a list of accepted items.

Date:Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Various drop-off locations
Online: cradlestocrayons.org

5. DuSable Museum of African American History

Every day is a good day to visit the DuSable Museum of African American History. Home to hundreds of artifacts from the Civil Rights Movement, you will not only learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, but also about the entire African American experience and accomplishments.

Date:Ongoing

DuSable Museum
740 E. 56th Pl.
Washington Park
Online: dusablemuseum.org

6. Institute for Nonviolence Chicago: Building the Beloved Community

Responding to Dr. King's question-"What are you doing for others?," the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago invites all ages to donate and help assemble toiletry packs, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, socks, and gloves, for neighbors in need.

Date:Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
819 N Leamington Ave.
Austin
Online: nonviolencechicago.org

7. Museum of Science and Industry's Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition

Established in 1970, the Museum of Science and Industry’s Juried Art Exhibition is the nation’s longest-running exhibition of African-American Art, presenting more than 100 works of art from emerging and established African American artists. The exhibition is just one part of the Museum’s Black Creativity program which showcases achievements in scientific, artistic and technical fields by African-Americans.

Date:Jan. 16-Apr. 23

Museum of Science & Industry
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Hyde Park
Online: msichicago.org

8. University of Chicago's MLK Commemoration Celebration

The University of Chicago will host its 33rd annual MLK Commemoration Celebration. The event is free and open to the public. It is held at the University's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, where Dr. King himself spoke in the same space in 1956 and 1959.

Date:Jan. 23, 6pm

University of Chicago Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
5850 South Woodlawn Avenue
Hyde Park
Online: mlk.uchicago.edu

9. Fifth Annual King Day of Service: Bronzeville

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the University of Chicago's University Community Service Center has partnered with community organizations across Bronzeville to bring together residents, nonprofits organizations, and institutions to work on beautification projects at Chicago Public Schools and other community sites.

Date:Jan. 16, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Bronzeville
Online: mlk.uchicago.edu

 

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I Didn’t See My Son’s Disability Until He Was 15

By Stephanie Duesing

My son, Sebastian, and I lived in the same house for 15 years. I gave birth to him. I changed his diapers and taught him to ride a bicycle.

I was a stay-at-home mom, and he was my only child. We spent hours together every day playing and doing crafts together. He painted the most extraordinary pictures even as a toddler. His existence filled my imagination from the moment that I looked at the faint blue positive mark on the pregnancy test.

But I didn’t truly know Sebastian until he was 15. I didn’t know him, because I didn’t see him.

Nobody saw him. Sebastian is the only person in the world known to see with words like a dolphin sees with sound. His blindness is an invisible disability. He has always slipped through our sighted world with what appeared to be the same ease as a spinner dolphin flying through the air.

Now Sebastian is 18, and every time he hugs me I can still feel the shell of his tiny newborn ear against my lips and his infant body in the nook of my shoulder where his chest meets mine. I always inhale, trying to recapture that baby smell and the tickle of almost invisible hair on my lips. His hair is now thick and smooth, not the dandelion fuzz of pale blond.

I cherished every sweet moment with him when he was small. Every hug, every smile, every game of hide-and-seek. I rocked him to sleep each night when he was little. We read aloud together until he was 12. He still hates Les Miserables. Tolkien was more his thing, with the dragons, wizards, and the magic ring that makes you invisible but also drains your soul.

He still hugs me every night before I go up to bed. Even after everything, especially after everything, Sebastian tells me that he loves me. When his long arms reach around my shoulders and he leans, I can still feel his little sneakers banging my hips and his little toddler arms hugging my neck. I smell the ghost of Cheerios-past every time.

In the car when we talk about the things we’ve been through together, about how I finally came to know him and see him, I reach out my hand to him. Sebastian’s cool, long-fingered artist’s hand lands in mine, squeezing. In his gentle adult grasp, I feel the ghostly hand of a child in mine, much smaller.

What magic ring did Sebastian have that cast its spell so thoroughly over him that it silently saved him while killing his soul? Surely it was not the cloak of invisibility that he wore all through his childhood as he zoomed through my house waving his wand. He was Darry, King of the Fairies and Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He cast his charm all over so thoroughly that I didn’t see him. Nobody saw him.

I remember his eyes, so bright blue and filled with pain as we both sobbed on the kitchen floor. It was January of 2017, and we had just discovered that 15-year-old Sebastian couldn’t recognize his own face and had taught himself to navigate our own home by counting his steps and turns. I had to tell him that he’d been born blind, not understanding how it was possible myself.

After I finally saw him and his invisible disability, I was crushed with guilt. How could I, as his loving mother, not see what was there before my eyes? Not seeing him kept me from giving the support he truly needed.

Yet with time, I came to realize that I had done nothing wrong. Like him, I did not know I was blind: blind to the side of him nobody could see. My intentions were always good and pure. They were rooted in love and tenderness and a desire to be the best mother I could be.

That’s what we all want as mothers. But sometimes, life creates blind spots. When we come to recognize them, we must accept and learn from them.

Now I am privileged to see the man who walks through this world with dignity and grace. His dry, laconic humor cracks me up, and his striking art inspires me. With his help and support, I am fighting to end the discrimination against the millions of people who have cerebral/cortical visual impairment. (CVI was identified as the number one cause of visual impairment in the developed world more than 10 years ago and still doesn’t have a diagnostic code.)

Every day, I celebrate seeing him for the wonderful man he is.

Originally published May 2021.

RELATED LINKS
No One Tells You About the Guilt You’ll Experience as a Mom with a Chronic Illness
When You’re So Afraid People Are Judging Your Kid That You Get It Totally Wrong
10 Incredible Books That Feature Children with Disabilities

Stephanie Duesing is the author of Eyeless Mind: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen, a true story about the discovery of her son Sebastian’s almost total blindness at the age of fifteen. Stephanie is devoted to raising awareness of Cerebral/Cortical-Visual Impairment (CVI) and advocating for patients with this visual impairment.  

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Why Is June Pride Month in the US?

By Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
find out why June is Pride Month
Tristan B. via Unsplash

What is pride? It’s a feeling of being happy, content, and proud of who you are or what you’ve accomplished. Have you ever felt this before? Here at Xyza, we feel a sense of pride when we see governments and communities working together to accomplish something big, and when people treat each other with love, respect, and acceptance. That’s why we celebrate Pride Month with the LGBTQ community.

Countries around the world celebrate the LGBTQ community at different times of the year. In the United Kingdom, for example, Pride Month is celebrated in February, whereas in Brazil the largest Pride parade in the world usually takes place in March. In the United States, June is Pride month.

Why is June Pride month? In the United States, Pride Month is celebrated in the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall riots, a series of riots that erupted throughout New York City in June and July of 1969. These riots were a response to the police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, a popular gathering place for the young LGBT community during the early hours of June 28th, 1969. The police arrested employees for selling liquor without a license and roughed up the many patrons inside the inn. As police dragged patrons out of the bar and into police vans, people outside the bar watched and grew increasingly enraged. A riot soon ensued and continued for the next five days. Historians mark the Stonewall riots as a turning point in the gay rights movement.

This year marks the 53rd anniversary of what historians consider the start of annual Pride traditions. Why? On June 28th, 1970, a year after the Stonewall riots, an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people marched down the streets of New York City to protest the abuse and discrimination that the LGBTQ community had suffered for hundreds of years. Today, millions of people around the country celebrate Pride Month with parades, festivals, workshops, and remembrance ceremonies to acknowledge the LGBTQ community and its impact on the world.

How is your city celebrating pride this year? Share with us by emailing editor@xyzanews.com.

This post originally appeared on Xyza: News for Kids.
Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation? 

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5 Things I Wish You Knew about Autism

By Chrystal Venator

My son Stalen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum when he was 22 months old. He is now almost 6 and non-verbal. He is also amazing!

Here are 5 things that I’ve learned from this journey that I want to share:

1. Autism is neurological. It is not physical or intellectual. There is no look to being autistic. Autistic individuals are quite intelligent and capable. They just see the world differently than we do.

2. There is no right or wrong way to perform a task, or reach a desired goal or outcome. Instead, there are many ways. My son may communicate differently than you with the support of a device but he is just as capable. He may also require additional supports but that does not affect his worth or value as a human being. If nothing else, it shows his immeasurable determination and fight, please don’t try to stand in front of that.

3. My son wants to be accepted, loved, and included just like everyone else. He wants to be active and involved in the community free from judgment and discrimination. He needs to be himself, free from consequence. Please don’t invite him to the table and expect him to be like everyone else.

4. Meltdowns are not tantrums. Meltdowns are not a sign of always getting one’s way. Meltdowns are hard moments, signs of an individual trying to cope with an overwhelming world. Please be kind. Please don’t stare. Please don’t judge what you may not understand.

5. Autism is just one of the many pieces that contribute to the make-up of my amazing son. It does not solely define him as a person or define his life. There is no formula for a life well-lived.

Every day we choose to define our lives through embracing differences, kindness, understanding, unconditional love, adventure, laughter, hope and faith.

We share our story to inspire, educate and make this world a better place for not just Stalen but for so many others as well.

I am a proud wife, ASD Mom, Step-Mom. At 21 months, my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He is 5 years old and non-verbal. I have become a full-time stay-at-home mom. I am 1000% focused on raising autism awareness and helping my son live a full and fun life. 

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Florida House Passes ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill, Would Ban Discussion of Sexual Orientation in Classrooms

by Tinybeans Team

Florida’s House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would prohibit “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” in the state’s primary schools. The legislation is titled the “Parental Rights in Education” bill but is dubbed by critics the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and must pass the state’s Senate and then be signed into law by Rep. Gov. Ron DeSantis to become law.

The bill, which Rep. Joe Harding (Republican) introduced  to the House, says discussions about “sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Harding said the measure is about “empowering parents” and improving the quality of life for the state’s children. “Creating boundaries at an early age of what is appropriate in our schools, when we are funding our schools, is not hate,” Harding said. “It’s actually providing boundaries, and it’s fair to our teachers and our school districts to know what we expect.” The bill would not prohibit students from talking about their LGBTQ families or bar classroom discussions about LGBTQ history, including events like the 2016 attack on the Pulse nightclub, a gay club in Orlando.

The bill has grabbed the attention of international newspapers, Hollywood actors and the White House. Democrats argued that the legislation’s text makes it unclear what age groups the bill could apply to, and the broad language of the legislation could open districts to lawsuits from parents who believe any conversation about LGBTQ people or issues to be inappropriate.

Amit Paley, the CEO and Executive Director of the Trevor Project—an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and intervention group—said in a statement, “When lawmakers treat LGBTQ topics as taboo and brand our community as unfit for the classroom, it only adds to the existing stigma and discrimination, which puts LGBTQ young people at greater risk for bullying, depression and suicide.”A national survey by the Trevor Project… found that 42 percent of LGBTQ youths seriously considered attempting suicide last year. More than half of transgender and nonbinary youths who were surveyed seriously considered suicide, it also found.

On the House floor Thursday, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat who is gay, told lawmakers in an impassioned speech “I want to make sure that for those LGBTQ youth in Florida and around the country and in the world who are watching, I want to make sure that they know this: You are loved. You are supported. And we will wake up every single day to fight for you, because you are worth fighting for,” Smith said.

In addition to the Parental Rights in Education bill, aka “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, 15 other bills are under consideration in eight states that would limit speech about LGBTQ identities in classrooms, according to PEN American, a nonprofit group that advocates for free speech. Three states passed similar bills last year that allow parents to opt students out of any lesson or coursework that mentions sexual orientation or gender identity.

Huh. Just curious, but when in history has ever NOT talking about something—or someone—led to anything good?

—Shelley Massey

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10 Places to Learn About Black History in San Diego

by Bonnie Taylor

It’s Black History Month, making it an obvious time to celebrate the richness of Black History with your children, but you can visit these San Diego spots throughout the year.  Visits to San Diego museum exhibits, sculptures and historical sites will spark discussions and enlighten young minds with history lessons about the first Black San Diegans as well as famous Black leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sojourner Truth. Read on for where to go for an educational and inspiring tour around the city on walking tours in San Diego.

Breaking of the Chains Monument

Mina H. via Yelp

Teach your kids to keep Breaking the Chains of discrimination as this monument depicts. It was created by Melvin Edwards in 1995 as a testament to African Americans’ bravery on their path toward civil rights. This is found next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade, along with other outdoor sculptures and works of art nearby.

Breaking of the Chains Monument
301 1st Ave., Downtown

Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade

Mina H. via Yelp

Let the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire your discussions as you walk down the promenade dedicated to him. It’s a 0.6-mile long walkway lined with 30 plaques engraved with his famous words. All along this path, you’ll find additional works of art and outdoor sculptures. It begins near Petco Park, runs through the Gaslamp Quarter and continues across from the Convention Center along the Children’s Park and ends at W. Market St.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade
326 Harbor Dr., Downtown

San Diego Public Library

It's a great time to explore the San Diego Public Library as it honors Black history, celebrates culture and community, and recognizes the achievements as well as the ongoing struggles of Black Americans.
In celebration of Black History Month, SDPL is hosting various thought-provoking programs both in-person and virtual as well as offering an opportunity for students to participate in a creative works contest. Check out our events page for month-long activities. 
 
 

 

World Beat Center

Juliana C. via Yelp

This renovated water tower has become one of the most important multicultural art and event centers in San Diego. The walls inside and out are brightly covered in murals and flags to commemorate Egyptian, African and Indigenous Cultures’ important leaders and historical cultures. Their weekly family drumming, dance and other classes are on hold right now, but there are virtual events online from poetry, tribute bands, a Malcom X birthday panel and discussions about African Americans’ presence in Latin America. They also have an onsite WorldBeat Café, currently open Fri.-Sun. for take-out featuring cultural dishes made with produce from their ethnobotany garden outside.

Work Beat Center
2100 Park Blvd., Balboa Park
619-230-1190
Online: worldbeatcenter.org

Sojourner Truth Statue

Bridgette G. via Yelp

This famed UCSD sculpture was created by alumni and African American sculptor, Manuelita Brown. Sojourner was a suffragist and abolitionist who used the power of her words to stand up for women’s rights and combat slavery. You’ll find this sculpture near the Thurgood Marshall College on the UCSD campus.

Sojourner Truth Statue
UCSD Campus
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla

Julian Hotel (originally Hotel Robinson)

Ashley M. via Yelp

Hotel Robinson was built in 1897 by freed slave Albert Robinson, who came to California to start a new life. This is one of the first Black-owned businesses in San Diego County and is now part of the National Register of Historic Places. Today it continues as a hotel now called the Julian Gold Rush Hotel and has been authentically restored to provide an ambiance of the history. This is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Southern California.

Julian Hotel
2032 Main St., Julian
800-734-5854
Online: julianhotel.com

African Museum (Casa del Rey Moro)

Roshen W. via Yelp

Learn about African world history with a special focus on African-Spanish, African-Mexican and African-American heritage. You’ll find charts, timelines, carvings, weavings and more relics from ancient, colonial and current periods. There are study guides that overlap the California public school’s framework to better understand African cultural history and its impact throughout the world. The bookstore has a lot of books featuring San Diego Black pioneers and local Black history. When the museum opens up again you may even get to meet Congo, the African-Grey parrot.

African Museum - Casa del Rey Moro
2471 Congress St., Old Town
619-220-0022
Online: africanmuseumsandiego.com

Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center

Monica B. via Yelp

Schedule your library book pick-up here and you can learn and read about Malcolm X. You’ll find a large statue of the civil rights leader that’s sure to spark a discussion with your kids about what he stands for. Librarians can help you choose something that’s just right for your kids to read from their Special Collection of African Diaspora books, newspapers and magazines. It also features an African American Genealogy section if you have roots in your family to research. This library branch serves the largely African-American communities in this neighborhood and it was designed to serve as a cultural institution for the community with its performing arts and cultural center. The library is currently open for limited services.

Malcolm X Library
5148 Market St., Valencia Park
619-527-3405
Online: sandiego.gov/public-library

San Diego History Center

Karen H. via Yelp

Search the new “Celebrate: Black History & Heritage” online exhibit at the San Diego History Center. It starts back in 1798 with their collection of historical documents and photos that record African American history in San Diego. This is a dynamic unfolding exhibition that’s not complete without on-going community involvement and "will be an ever-evolving exhibit."

San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
619-232-6203
Online: sandiegohistory.org

Gaslamp Quarter

Kristine C. via Yelp

Walk where the first African Americans lived and worked in San Diego and see how they helped shape the city. The first Black-owned businesses started along Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter with hotels, a barber shop, a candy & sundries shop and a laundry service, among others. One of the most well known was the Douglas Hotel in 1920 (no longer there). It offered the first desegregated gathering place for black and white people for lodging, dining, dancing and entertainment. Famed Black jazz musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday would play there often.

Gaslamp Quarter
Between Broadway - K Streets
and Fourth - Sixth Streets
Downtown

––Bonnie Taylor

featured image via Bonnie Taylor

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10 Places to Learn about Black History in Portland

by Hannah Judge

Perhaps you pass them every day during your commute, or you live in a neighborhood adjacent to some. Regardless, Portland’s many landmarks and locations involving Black History stand for us to visit and admire year round, this month especially. It’s that time of year to educate, respect and appreciate the wealth of Black History Portland holds, and what better way than to lace on your tennis shoes and head out for a walking tour? Historical landmarks are aplenty and so are our recommendations of where to visit. Read on for more!.

Central City Concern

Golden West Building

The third and final site included in U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer's appeal for ensured protection is the Golden West Hotel. Located on the corner of Broadway and Everett in NW Portland, you and your family are sure to have passed this historic building numerous times. Now it is used as space for subsidized housing but did you know it used to be a hotel? In fact, it was the first hotel in Portland to allow African Americans to stay as guests! Starting in 1906, the hotel acted as crucial housing for Black transient workers as they helped build north American railroad lines. Further, it became a gathering place of the NW Portland Black community, as several Black congregations were located nearby. Of course, there is much more to be learned about a building with such a seasoned history. If you find you and the family in northwest Portland soon, you should take the time to stop by so the next to you pass it, it'll mean more than just its name.

707 NW Everett St., Portland OR
Online: centralcityconcern.org/goldenwest

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church

Live in northeast? Great, you're probably just blocks away from this historical site! Located in Portland's Eliot neighborhood, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church marks the beginning of Black congregations in the city. Built in 1923, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church has stood for nearly a hundred years and served as a hub for Portland civil rights organizations between the years 1923 and 1973. U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer is currently nominating Mt. Olivet Baptist Church to be added to the National Registry of Historic Places. If successful, this will ensure protection of the church from demolition and guarantee that you and your family have a place to visit for many Black History Months to come! 

8501 N Chautauqua Blvd.
(503) 596-2944
Online: mtolivet.com

via portland.gov

Unthank Park

Located in Portland's northeast neighborhood between N Shaver and N Failing Street sits Unthank Park. This community hub offers numerous amenities and activities for you and your family like basketball courts, playgrounds and baseball fields! Beyond the nature of the park, though, is its history. Unthank Park is named after Dr. DeNorval Unthank who worked in several Portland hospitals (Providence, Good Sam, etc.) and engaged heavily in public service work. The city of Portland dedicated the naming of this park to him in 1969 for his work against racial discrimination. So whether your family are more sports fanatics or picnic goers, head to Unthank Park this Black History Month to honor Dr. Unthank and his accomplishments!

510 N Shaver Street
Portland, OR 
Online: portland.gov/parks/unthank-park

Ryan F.

Charles Jordan Community Center

Take your kids on a field trip to this local community center that was renamed in2012, in honor of Charles Jordan, Portland’s first African-American City Commissioner and Portland Parks & Recreation Director. Known as the force behind the creation of beloved Portland landmarks like Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, Delta Park, and Southwest Community Center, Charles Jordan broadened the agenda of the environmental movement and land conservation to make it more inclusive on a national stage. Additionally, he is known for putting people of color at the heart of the American Conservation Movement.

9009 N Foss Avenue
Portland, OR

Online: portland.gov/parks/charles-jordan-community-center

Kelly Sikkema

Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park Playground Project

Spring is on it's way, and you will want to head to the parks. Your first stop should be the Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park. If the name isn't familiar, that's because, the former Lynchview Park was renamed Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park in June of last year. Verdell Burdine Rutherford is a prominent black female civil rights leader and historian who lived in Oregon from 1913 to 2001. She lead the civil rights movement in Oregon and as secretary of the Portland chapter of the NAACP she helped pass the Oregon Civil Rights Bill in 1953, which outlawed discrimination in public places on the basis of “race, religion, color or national origin.”

The parks has been renovated with new playground area, pathways, irrigation improvements, and other park amenities that little and big Portlanders will love and enjoy year round. Now it's also the perfect place to give your child a quick Oregon Black History lesson.

SE 167th Avenue and Market Street in east Portland
Online: portland.gov/parks/construction/verdell-burdine-rutherford-park-playground-project

Theresa H. via Yelp

Dean's Beauty Salon And Barber Shop

Along with Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer is requesting that NE Hancock Street's Dean's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop be added to the list of protected historical places. Since 1956, Dean's has been serving the Portland community and is Portland's oldest Black-owned salon! This space is a coveted staple of the Black community of Portland and still flaunts its 50s charm for us today. Take the family for a photo and appreciate this Black owned business that will surely go down in history. 

215 NE Hancock St.
(503) 282-3379
Online: Deansbeautysalon.com/

Edward L. via Yelp

The Dream Statue

ComicCon, COVID Vaccinations and Black History Month - the Oregon Convention Center [OCC] truly does it all. But this month, don't worry about donning a mask and going inside. This historical landmark can be enjoyed outside in the courtyard! While the Oregon Convention Center has over 20 art displays, "The Dream" statue boldly represents Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he delivers his revolutionary speech. Built in 1990 by sculptor Michael Florin Dente, this is a monument you and the family must surely visit on your February walking tour of Portland's historical sites. Linked below is an online map detailing all 23 of the OCC's installations and information regarding each one!

Where: 777 NE MLK Blvd., Portland OR 97232
Virtual map: https://www.oregoncc.org/sites/default/files/FY21%20OCC%20Public%20Art%20Walk%20Brochure_0.pdf

777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd,
Portland, OR 
Online: oregoncc.org/

Yelp Ashley C.

Abbey Creak Vinyard

This month is dedicated to celebrating Black History Month, right? And what's a celebration without wine? Great question! I'm sure the folks at Abbey Creek Vineyard have the answer you're looking for, and being a parent, we're always looking for ways incorporate a little red, white, or rosé into our jam-packed days. Abbey Creek Vineyard is spearheaded by Bertony Faustin, a.k.a. Portland's first Black wine maker! Their tasting rooms, known as Cricks at Abbey Creek, have delicious selections of wines and snacks that you have certainly earned after a day spent walking through Portland. And, bonus points, they switch up the typical winery vibe and play hip-hop music that is sure to get you reenergized! Make sure to plan a stop at one of Abbey Creek's Cricks on your Portland tour.

31441 NW Commercial Street
​North Plains, OR 

912 SW Morrison Street
​Portland, OR 
online: abbeycreekvineyard.com/

PCC Margaret Carter Technology Education Building

Toy J via Yelp

Margaret Loise Carter was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1935. She graduated salutatorian of her senior class. She escaped an abusive relationship by moving to Oregon where she became a teacher's assistant in the Portland Public Schools. After attending and graduating from Portland State University in 1972, she enrolled for her Masters in educational psychology and eventually ended up working as a counselor at PCC.Sen. Margaret Carter’s personal and professional association with the college covers five decades, when she began taking classes at the Cascade Campus to support her baccalaureate studies. In 1984 she rand for state office and became the first African American woman elected to Oregon legislature and spent serving in either the House or Senate for the next 28 years. Take your family to Carter's old school stomping grounds where they can check out PCC Margaret Carter Technology Education Building: a tribute to this history making woman.

705 N Killingsworth St
Portland, OR
Online: pcc.edu

 

All Power to the People: Remembering the Legacy of the Black Panther Party

While this isn't a site to see nor a historical place, it is a great way to encapsulate the entire idea that is protecting and appreciating Black history in Portland. This program, hosted at the Cerimon House in northeast Portland by Vanport Music, includes many different live performances detailing the history of the Black Panther Party in Portland. With three different days of events spanning a wide range of topics, all of which are free and open to the public, there is more knowledge to be gained than there is time. Jot down one of these spectacular live events in your calendar and bring you and your family to revel in the importance that is Black history in our city. 

Cerimon House - 5131 NW 23rd Ave.1
Free
Online: here

—Hannah Judge

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6 Great Tips to Help Your Child Navigate Clashes at School

By Kelly Oriard & Callie Christensen

When peer conflicts erupt at school, many parents struggle with how to respond and wonder what they can do to help. For some kids, school anxiety isn’t just about being away from home and learning new routines. Social anxiety in children is often about their relationships with their peers. How can we help our kids resolve conflicts that happen when we’re not around? It turns out there are many things parents can do at home to help their kids resolve peer conflicts at school:

1. Take a Proactive Approach
Create a culture of connection at home and make check-ins a regular part of your day, even before a problem arises. We like this approach because it assures the lines of communication between parents and children will be open and ready. If we’re regularly asking our kids about their day, their activities and their friendships, they’ll be more likely to share when conflicts arise with their peers.

2. Ask Specific Questions
When we ask our kids vague questions like “How was your day?” it’s the equivalent of “What did you have for lunch two weeks ago on Wednesday?” If someone asked us that question, we’d probably say, “I don’t know!” And that is often why they do, too. Most kids have a much easier time answering specific questions, like “Who did you play with at recess?” With specific questions, you’ll get more information, which will make it easier to connect.

3. Respond with Curiosity 
Although we may feel inclined to jump right to solutions, we believe curiosity is one of the best ways to respond when our kids indicate they’re having conflict with a peer. Phrases like “Tell me more about that,” and “How did you feel when that happened?” let our kids know we want to understand before trying to fix. 

4. Zone In on the Core Issue
Look for the pattern in any peer conflicts that arise at school and try to name the core issue underlying the discord. Setting boundaries with kindness, asking for help, sharing activities and friends, and increasing distress tolerance are a few of the most common core issues that show up in peer conflicts.

5. Help Them Develop New Skills
Once you know what the core issue is, you can help them develop the skills to better navigate the conflict. If your child is continually feeling upset because she wants her friend to go down the slide with her, but another friend wants them to play hopscotch, you can help her learn the skills of sharing, turn-taking and emotion regulation. You can teach her thoughts, phrases and behaviors at home and even role play scenarios to help her practice.

6. Reach Out
If your child is experiencing social anxiety or conflict at school and you’re having trouble figuring out how to help them work through it, reach out to school counselors and teachers for help. If any concerns come up regarding discrimination, alerting the teacher is an important step in helping children get the support they need. We believe these conversations are another great place to practice curiosity! Counselors, teachers and administrators can help you find out more about what is happening and collaboratively craft an approach to help resolve the issue.

We like to view peer conflict as an opportunity to teach our children a skill they haven’t learned yet. Whether it’s about sharing, soothing their anxiety, speaking up for themselves or handling disappointment, conflicts with their peers provide prime opportunities for our children to learn strategies that will serve them well beyond the playground. For additional tools and resources, check out the Slumberkins Conflict Resolution Collection with Hammerhead. 

 

This post originally appeared on www.slumberkins.com.
Kelly Oriard & Callie Christensen
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen are co-founders of Slumberkins, a children's brand supporting social-emotional learning for children. Kelly has a dual master's degree in family therapy and school counseling, and Callie has a master's degree in teaching. Both are passionate about teaching children social-emotional skills to thrive in our modern world. 

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Barbie Honors Healthcare Heroes with 6 New Dolls & Gives Back Throughout August

by Sarah Shebek

You can be anything. It’s Barbie’s slogan and an uplifting message for kids everywhere. Now six real-life women who became heroes of the pandemic have their own dolls thanks to Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program!

These healthcare role models inspired us with their courageous efforts during a tumultuous time. Their accomplishments saved countless lives and made a huge impact in the fight against the pandemic:

  • Amy O’Sullivan, RN (United States) – Emergency Room nurse Amy O’Sullivan treated the first COVID-19 patient in Brooklyn at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, became ill and was intubated, then a few weeks later returned to work to continue taking care of others.
  • Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz (United States) – Dr. Cruz, a frontline worker from Las Vegas, NV, during the pandemic, joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination.
  • Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada)- A psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Oriuwa has advocated against systemic racism in healthcare, which has been further highlighted by the pandemic.
  • Professor Sarah Gilbert (United Kingdom) – As a professor of vaccinology, Professor Gilbert led the development of the University of Oxford vaccine in the U.K.
  • Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus (Brazil) – As a biomedical researcher, Dr. Goes is credited for leading the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil.
  • Dr. Kirby White (Australia) – A General Practitioner in Australia, Dr. White co-founded the Gowns for Doctors initiative – by developing a PPE gown that could be laundered and re-used, allowing frontline workers in Victoria, AU to continue seeing patients during the pandemic.

Mattel also announced that for each eligible doctor, nurse and paramedic doll sold at Target through August, Barbie will donate $5 to the First Responder Children’s Foundation, which benefits children of first responders. The organization plans to use the money to support the Power of Play Program, which focuses on the social, emotional and behavioral well-being of children.

Along with the current selection of medical dolls, you can also buy a new Fast Cast Clinic playset with a Barbie doctor doll and four play areas. Barbie can use an X-ray machine, check a patient on the exam table, create dough casts in the medical station and direct families to the gift shop. It’s available at retailers now for $49.99.

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Mattel

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