How to Talk to Your Children about George Floyd

This is a prompt for Black parents who are struggling to explain what is going on in the world to their young children.

You can read this simple story to your young children and show them the embedded pictures to give them a better understanding of all the things that are happening in the case of George Floyd.

Feel free to alter the wording to make the prompt, more natural for your child. This prompt is best suited for children 5-12.

Encourage your child to ask questions and express their feelings. This activity is bound to provoke strong emotions and questions from your child and that is ok.  

Allow your child to be his/herself and express themselves openly. Believe it or not, kids feel the tension in the air and they are hurting very much. Explain the situation with as much love and respect as you can muster- they will thank you later.

Sweetheart, we need to talk. You are not in any kind of trouble. I just want to explain something important to you.

I know that you understand something bad is going on in the world. I also know this all feels scary and confusing, so I want to explain what is happening to you.

A Black man whose name is George Floyd, was killed when a police officer did something very unfair to him. The officer who killed Mr. Floyd was a white man and many people believe the white officer hurt Mr. Floyd because the color of his skin.

Many African American people, as well as people of other races, are upset because this is not the first time such a bad thing has happened. Many black people have been killed unfairly by white officers and many people are very sad, angry, and sacred.

The Black people who were killed by those mean officers did not deserve to die because many of them had not done anything wrong.

I am so sorry to say, that there are people in this world who do not like  people because they are Black, Asian, Hispanic, or have different beliefs about God (among over reasons).

These kind of people, let their bad ideas about others fill their hearts with hate. That hate sometimes makes them bully, hurt, or kill people who look or behave differently.

Many people in our country are very upset about what happened to Mr. George Floyd so they are going outside together to protest. Protest means that a group of people stand together and hold signs that express their anger, talk about peace, and try to find a solution to their problems. Many people are being peaceful with their protests by marching, holding hands, lighting candles, listening to speeches, singing songs, and praying together. People of all races are doing this so that the officer who killed Mr. Floyd can go to jail for his crime.

While, some people are being peaceful, other are breaking things in their cities (like windows and storefronts) because they are feeling so sad about all the mean and unfair things that have happened.

There are some white people who do not like black people, but there are many other white people who like black people and treat them fairly. There are people in this world who will treat you fairly as you grow and there are other people who will not like you because of the color of your skin.

It is ok to feel sad about this. It is ok to feel hurt or angry, but it is not ok to hate others. God made us all. God made all people. God made all skin, hair, and eye colors. He made us all special with special talents and abilities and he made no mistakes.

God does not want us to hate people because of the color of their skin no matter how they treat us.

We must love and respect everyone and not hate them. Most importantly, you must love yourself. Know that you are not less than anyone because of the color of your skin.

Your brown-skin is beautiful. You are beautiful, and God make you just right.  You have the same ability to do great things in this world and make great changes that will help our world like anyone else. Never allow anyone else’s feelings about you, change how you feel about yourself.

I want you to know that I love you, and you can talk to me about your feelings. We will stand with Mr. Floyd’s family by praying for peace together and serving our community. We can make a difference in this world by loving everyone.

Know that you are safe, you are loved, and everything will be just fine. You will be just fine, and though our world looks a little different now, my love for you will never change. You will have a wonderful life, and you will grow to be a big person who loves everyone and makes good peaceful choices. I am proud of you and I love you very much.