Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Privilege and Racism in the Wake of George Floyd's Death
"It hurts us in just a deep, deep way … for all Americans. I think that we are hyperventilating and missing an opportunity for unity because we can agree on that videotape," continues Faulkner, who began her career working as a local news anchor for KSTP-TV (ABC 5) in Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed after having his neck pinned under the knee of a white police officer. "I haven't met anybody who doesn't see that that was killing on-camera."
And in addition to protests, the country is also in the middle of a pandemic, which has taken the lives of more than 100,000 Americans — a fear for people of all races.
"I also think we hyperventilate out of panic because we know that people are in the streets, shoulder-to-shoulder, some of them yelling and coughing and sneezing from chemicals thrown in the air as the rioters don't disperse," she continues. "Then you have 40 million people out of work and they hyperventilate because they're losing their homes … so when you look at that, you think we need to collectively take a moment and breathe easy, but there's no time."
And though the country is currently experiencing rough times, Faulkner — who is celebrating 15 years at Fox News — says she is fortunate to play an essential part in informing the country during a historic time.
"Knowing that I have a journalism essential role and then I can play that role, do that job, if you will, from my home, is such a blessing," she says, adding that it has also been great for her girls to see her in action while isolating at home: "It keeps them focused on the very thing I've tried to teach them and that is, let your gifts make room for you. Be the best you can be at something such that when times get hard, people look to you for that one thing."
To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to these organizations:
- Campaign Zero (joincampaignzero.org) which works to end police brutality in America through research-proven strategies.
- ColorofChange.org works to make government more responsive to racial disparities.
- National Cares Mentoring Movement (caresmentoring.org) provides social and academic support to help black youth succeed in college and beyond.
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