What seems like a heavy lift or extra duty may actually be the cultivation of community power: collectively supporting each other with time, energy, information and resources. Hard work up front creates shared power later on so that, eventually, many hands make light work. This is how we play the long game to sustain our network; this is how we build coalitions with each other. Many of us have our regular jobs and then we work in the background to build strong bonds that further empower interconnectivity for greater impact and upward mobility for all of us. The following events are examples of way our community uplifted one another and can continue to do so in the month of September.
Introducing Spokane’s future doctors
By Shalena Armstrong, President of The Links, Incorporated, Spokane Chapter
During the week of July 29, members of the Spokane Chapter of the Links, Incorporated collaborated to bring the Dr. Me! program to youth at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Dr. Me! is a Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program designed by The Links, Incorporated to expose African American children in grades K-5 to careers in the health care and medical fields. Students were provided with white lab coats, stethoscopes and a doctor’s “tool kit” complete with culturally diverse Band-Aids and hand sanitizer. An adaptation of the white coat ceremony new medical students go through was conducted to jumpstart the program and get the students stimulated and engaged in the program. As part of the ceremony, they recited the “Dr. Me Oath” that states, in part, “I promise to use this as a learning opportunity to be exposed to the fun and excitement of being Dr. Me.” The students were addressed as “doctor” during the program, furthering the role playing and embedding the idea that being a doctor in the future is possible for them. During the three-day workshop, different body systems were discussed and experiments/activities that related to each system were conducted. The systems covered by the program were skeletal, nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory and muscular. Kids were put into groups where they outlined the body of a group member then placed cut outs of the vital organs on the outline. They also got to see how the circulatory system works using bottles and straws to demonstrate how the heart pumps blood through the body. Crepe paper was used to demonstrate the complexity of the digestive system.
A retired nursing professional and an EWU dental hygiene senior were able to join the students and talk about their jobs in the health care profession. Their visits helped make health care careers realistic and attainable. The week ended with the students receiving a certificate of completion and goodie bag. One of the students left the program proclaiming that he was ready to complete his PhD and become a doctor. He might have the titles a little off, but his anticipation and enthusiasm toward career readiness was firmly planted. Students were able to time travel into the future to become doctors via aspirational thinking.
The Spokane Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hopes to conduct future workshops of Dr. Me! to youth throughout the Spokane area.
Back-to-school tips for parents
By Katia Jasmin
With all the focus on kids going back to school, the fact that parents too need to get back into the routine of school is often overlooked. What does it take to be a successful parent while avoiding the painful reentry process?
The most pressing issue is the need for everyone to adjust to the school schedule routine. It’s important that both you and your child adjust bedtimes and wake-up times a couple of weeks before school starts. This can be challenging for parents, as it might be the first time in months your house has been quiet after 9 p.m. I remember how difficult it was for my family to switch from our summer relaxation mode back to the school grind, and I’ve done this TWICE now with a 5-year-old and 20-year-old.
Creating a positive mindset about school is crucial for both you and your child. This can be tough when facing the unknown, especially if you have anxieties about teachers, friends, and the experience of kids going to school in a mostly white school district. Discuss these issues with your child (make it age-appropriate) before they go to school so that they feel empowered to deal with some of the challenges that may arise. Having open discussions ensures they feel comfortable communicating with you if they experience anxiety now or in the future. This will go a long way in easing your own anxiety and fostering a positive mindset. One approach is to role-play potential scenarios your child might face and discuss appropriate responses.
Summer is often spent with little time dedicated to organizing and preparing for the upcoming rush of activity and needs. Just like when you clean your home office, your child will need to organize their study space and gather school supplies and clothing. Let your child lead the way when it comes to items that reflect their cultural heritage, such as t-shirts featuring Black artists or books by Black authors. This not only helps them feel prepared but also proud of their identity.
When school starts, be involved and communicate; meet the teachers, and attend open houses and conferences. This will ease your mind about what is happening at school. Ask the teachers about the curriculum and how it reflects diverse perspectives. If you encounter any issues of racial bias, be sure to address them with school officials. It can also be helpful to connect with other Black parents to share experiences and strategies for advocating for your children.
Stay healthy! This goes for both you and your child. Plan meals that encourage good nutrition to power your minds and bodies. Be physically active, as it not only keeps you in shape but also helps ease anxiety and depression for both adults and children. Consider joining or forming a group for regular physical activities that involve both parents and kids, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
Additional Resources: Books, “Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain” by Zaretta Hammond and “The Skin I’m In” by Sharon G. Flake; Organizations, the National Association of African American Parents & Youth and the National Black Child Development Institute; Websites, Colorín Colorado (for bilingual resources), EmbraceRace (for racial literacy).
These practices and resources should help you ease back into school life, ensuring a successful school year for both your child and you!
Giving Back
By the Black Lens News
Since 2010, Michael Brown has planned and facilitated a community wide celebration at Underhill Park, in the East Central Community, to uplift area youth and families while supplying them resources. This year surpassed prior years with record attendance. In partnership with The Way to Justice, the Spokane Eastside Reunion Association gives away shoes and backpacks each August to gear up for the new school year.
Why is this important to you? “Because it’s about giving back to the community. It’s all about the community. This is not me. This is all God. This year it’s the biggest it’s ever been. To God be the glory.”