When talking about racism and protests, this expert recommends L.O.V.E.

As a white woman of privilege, I have found myself struggling for the right words to say about the racism, protests, and riots happening in our country. I’ve also struggled with how to talk to our kids. As I explored my own feelings and sought to learn more, I turned to my friend and colleague Dr. Lawrence Chatters.

Lawrence agreed to be interviewed for a piece I wrote for Momaha.com.

Here is a short excerpt from that piece:

"Learn more about the issue. As a parent, we pride ourselves with being able to provide our kids with information," Chatters said. "However, as parents, we too need to learn about what’s going on in our world."

He said parents should do their research, look at a number of different resources, and learn about the issues. "Learn the names, learn what has happened and why," he said. "Learn about and understand your own privilege."

Chatters recommended some resources, including "Raising White Kids" by Jennifer Harvey, "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo and “White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin Diangelo.

I have personally struggled with what to say and Chatters said it's not necessarily a parent's duty to "have the right thing to say right now." 

"That's 100% OK. But it is your duty to try to be as empathetic as possible in this moment, and make yourself available to listen to other people in this moment," he said. "Friends that you have that are people of color, and other friends that are struggling with what to say... be willing to sit with that struggle together."