Race and Cultural Inclusivity
Inclusion is, and always has been, a cornerstone of Girl Scouting. Inclusion honors each Girl Scout’s uniqueness and difference and benefits everyone. Especially now, as kids are growing up during a time of rapid demographic and social change, inclusion is more important than ever.
Some troop leaders of younger troops might be thinking, “Are my Daisies even old enough to understand complex concepts like race—and judging people based on the color of their skin? ? And moreover, do my Daisies even notice differences between people?”
From a young age, kids are curious and observant. By the time they reach preschool, kids notice physical differences including differences in skin color, eye shape, and hair texture. Though they might not have the vocabulary to express or unpack it, they will begin noticing differences in how people are treated, talked about, and portrayed based on those characteristics. These observations are not inherently bad—kids’ brains are wired to take in information, find patterns, categorize, and draw conclusions about the world around them.
According to Derald Wing Sue, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University, kids start noticing race around age four and become curious about things like skin color. If we avoid talking about difference because we don’t want to draw attention to that difference, kids will fill in these gaps of knowledge and come up with explanations about how the world works themselves. While sometimes kid logic can be downright amusing, it can be much more worrying when it comes to the conclusions they draw about people of different races, abilities, gender/sexual identity, religion, or class. Studies show that three to five-year-olds consistently used racial categories to identify themselves and others, and to include and exclude children from activities. Other research found that kids of color as young as five are cognizant of negative stereotypes about their racial group. Given these findings, it’s never too early to talk to kids about race at a developmentally appropriate level. By having open and honest conversations about race and relaying accurate and anti-racist information, you can help disrupt stereotypes and discrimination and build inclusive, empowered kids.
So, how do we help Girl Scouts embrace and normalize differences and be the inclusive force we wish to see in the world? Let’s explore:
Be open to their questions. Kids are naturally curious and will ask questions (usually, a ton, and sometimes, at inappropriate times!). While it might make you uncomfortable when your Girl Scout asks a blunt question about another person, shushing her or ignoring her question will not only make her think it’s taboo to talk about difference, but also that it’s bad to be different. When their questions are unanswered, they don’t go away. Instead, kids may try to fill in the blanks themselves, using sources like the internet, movies, and peers—all of which can be problematic, incomplete, and biased.
So, answer the questions, even the tough ones. If you’re able to, stop what you’re doing and have an in-depth conversation. If not, acknowledge the question, and discuss it later. By taking the time to have the conversation, you show kids the importance of critical thinking and open the space for future dialogue.
Use the power of storytelling. There’s a reason why “It’s Your Story—Tell It!” is one of the themes of the Girl Scout Journeys. Storytelling is an incredibly important way for people to understand their lives and the greater world around them. Every culture has creation stories—if we don’t know where we came from, we don’t have a map of where we’re heading in the future. Storytelling lets Girl Scouts reflect on their lived experiences and how those experiences connect to the present. When Girl Scouts tell their own stories, they’re able to center themselves, share, and deepen their core values, while also listening to and learning from others who do the same.
Acknowledge differences, acknowledge similarities. We all bring something different to the table—that’s part of what makes life so dynamic and interesting. Talk with your Girl Scouts about the ways they’re different from each other, and the ways that they’re similar.
Remember that kids are still learning, and hurtful comments, especially those made by young kids, may be based on observation, and not made with malice. Make a point to introduce a counter-narrative like reading a book about an influential teacher of color and continue to follow up later.
Incorporate play. Games are a great tool to start any activity because they grab kids’ attention and help everyone get refocused. It’s hard to learn, retain information, and process what’s going on if Girl Scouts aren’t paying attention to what you’re saying or what’s happening around them. Games are a fun, engaging way that tells the brain, “Hey, listen up!” Most games also use a lot of tools that you’d find in cultures that are rooted in oral traditions. Think repetition, solving a puzzle, making connections between things that don’t seem related, etc. Remember all the “This is a repeat-after-me song, and a do-as-I-do” songs that we sing at camp and during downtimes? Those are games that fold in those cultural tools!
Present a realistic view of a diverse world. When kids learn about race, it’s often in the context of the Civil Rights movement or other historic events that, in their frame of reference, were so long ago. Talk about current fights for equity, representation, and justice and how they are connected to what they might have learned in history class. Bring your troop to a meeting, movie, or presentation on an issue you’re learning about so they can see what local leaders are working on. Include an age-appropriate amount of detail. Daisies might focus on celebrating differences, Cadettes can discuss implicit bias, while knowledgeable Ambassadors can advocate for racial justice.
Don’t forget to take a look at the books and media you and your troop consume—does it cover a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, and abilities? If not, seek out resources that highlight and celebrate everyone’s experience. Reading and seeing representations of people in “atypical” roles is also a great way to dispel stereotypes. (Some good places to start: A Mighty Girl, Teaching for Change, and The Conscious Kid.)
Explore your own biases. Everyone has unconscious biases where our background, personal experience, and societal norms impact our attitudes and actions without us even realizing it. When we don’t reflect on (and work to reform) these biases, we end up passing these negative attitudes onto the next generation. (Some helpful resources: Teaching Tolerance and Guidelines for Challenging Racism (PDF).)
Race is a big topic with complex roots and broad reach, and one that can be difficult to broach. The good news is that talking about race is a skill that can be developed and strengthened with intentional practice. There are many resources out there: online, in books, and in-person through local organizations like the YWCA. As Girl Scouts, we’re tasked with making the world a better place. By talking about race and developing the tools for anti-bias education, we can do just that.
