Wake the Children is dedicated to exploring what parenting for social justice can mean, particularly for White parents of White children. It is a weekly documentation of my musings, trials, and failures as a parent who wants their child to care about justice. It asks: [How] can the daily activities of parenting be acts of social justice, particularly for [upper middle-class/cis/hetero] White parents of a White child?
To me, parenting for social justice means prioritizing critical thinking in your child about how society organizes power along the lines of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability status, religion, and other social identities. It means actively pushing against colorblindness, heternormativity, cisnormativity, rape culture, toxic masculinity, and other oppressive structures in your child. Parenting for social justice is obvious when you bring your child to direct actions and rallies, but this blog is dedicated to understanding how the more banal acts of parenting (for example, butt wiping) can in and of themselves contribute to a more just world.
Who am I?
My name is Olivia, and I live with my husband, one-year-old son (‘A’ in this blog), and two dogs (a pit bull and a labradoodle) in an urban center in the Midwest. I’m currently working on my PhD in Education, where I [am learning how to] research race, racism, and racial bias in the American school setting.
My ideal day would start off with two efficient work hours, then consist of giggling with A, going on a long family walk, and doing yoga. Throw in some chocolate and an episode of The Great British Bake-off at the end of the day, and I’m happy! It’s definitely not how most days go, but it’s always the goal.
Wake the Children 