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- Talking to Kids About Race & Racism: An ACGC Panel Discussion
Racism continues to persist as a mechanism of exclusion, conflict and disadvantage in the United States and around the world.
The last few months have been a perfect storm of events that have led to the protests and calls for an end to racial discrimination of African American people and other minority groups. – A disproportionate number of black and brown people dying from the Coronavirus and as a result of the guaranteeing and social distancing, the associated disproportionate number of black and brown people losing their jobs as all non-essential business were closed or dramatically scaled down.
There was Ahmaud Arbery who was killed while jogging by a White father and son, then Breonna Taylor an unarmed EMT was shot eight times when plain clothed police officers illegally entered the wrong apartment to serve a “no knock warrant” to a suspect that was already in custody. More than two months later, those officers have yet to be charged for her murder.
There was Amy Cooper, a White woman who knowingly weaponized her White privilege by calling the police and reporting that an African American man had threatened her life when in reality he asked her to leash her dog who was running freely in a section of Central Park that required dogs to be on a leash.
Then came the murder of George Floyd, whose life was taken from him by a police officer who knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds for an alleged non-violent crime despite him being handcuffed and immobilized on the ground by three other officers.
While these senseless acts of racism are nothing new in our country, what has made them so much more incendiary and devastating is the fact that they were all caught on camera so we have all been able to watch these immoral and criminal acts take place. This awareness has sparked a different level of outrage and call to action for people of all ages and races.
At ACGC, we want to ask the question. What about the Kids? How are they dealing with what they are seeing and hearing about race and racism? What impact does this have on the mental health of children now and in the future?
As a trusted community member, Austin Child Guidance Center created this online event to help parents and educators talk with their children about race and racism.
Please take a moment to take this brief survey. Your responses will help us improve these events in the future in addition to grant tracking purposes
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Charlotte CaplesIs the owner of Charlotte Caples Consulting which helps leaders develop their voice about racial equity, own their power and hold accountable systems that impact them! She believes outcomes should not be predictable by race and that peace, power and prosperity are everyone’s birthright! Her coaching service has helped more than 5000 leaders begin to live authentically, feel more confident, courageous, grounded, and purposeful about their journey to transform racism. As a result of her consulting services, organizations committed to racial equity develop transformational, strategic plans to eliminate racism; minimize costs and potential for lawsuits; as well as create an organizational culture that is racially equitable and inclusive.
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DeAnna Harris-McKoyIs a licensed marriage and family therapist, associate professor, researcher, and social justice advocate. She has over 10 years of clinical experience with diverse populations and disorders in a variety of clinical settings. Her research focuses on adolescents, Black mental health, and social justice in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. She has delivered presentations at local, regional, national, and international conferences. Dr. Harris-McKoy has been actively involved in her local and professional communities by serving on multiple boards and in various leadership positions.
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Emmitt W. Hayes, Jr.He retired from public service in January 2014 as Director of the Probation Services Division for the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department. One of his crowning achievements was his work in the development and implementation of the Texas Criminal Justice Treatment Initiative. In 2010, the Secretary of Health and Human Services appointed him to a 3-year term on the National Advisory Council for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. He is currently an independent consultant operates as LTBL Consultants that facilitates workforce development, diversity management and juvenile justices training workshops across the United States.
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Chloe Picot-Jacobs, LMSWIs a therapist on the Infant/Early Childhood Project. She began her work at ACGC as a graduate student in 2017, and joined the team as a full-time staff member in 2018. She received her Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Social Work, and her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. In addition to clinical services, Chloe leads the newsletter committee for the Trauma Informed Care Consortium of Texas (TICC). She considers social justice and anti-racist practice to be an ongoing journey that is critical to both her professional role and her personal growth as a White person.
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