Talking to kids about racism

Against the wave of global activism on race and racism, some Singaporean parents are reluctant to broach the subject with their children

Mr Mohamed Sirajudin Mohamed Salman (with his wife Nadleen Mohamed Shariff) finds teachable moments to guide his sons, Mohamed Husain Mohamed Sirajudin (far right), seven, and Mohamed Hasan Mohamed Sirajudin, six, to embrace different cultures.
Mr Mohamed Sirajudin Mohamed Salman (with his wife Nadleen Mohamed Shariff) finds teachable moments to guide his sons, Mohamed Husain Mohamed Sirajudin (far right), seven, and Mohamed Hasan Mohamed Sirajudin, six, to embrace different cultures. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
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Six-year-old Elizabella Bonnett's parents recently sat her down for a conversation about racism.

They talked to Elizabella, who is half-black and half-Chinese, about the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, which erupted after an unarmed black man, Mr George Floyd, was suffocated while being arrested by the police on May 25.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 14, 2020, with the headline Talking to kids about racism. Subscribe