Learned Optimism in Black Children
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The Black Lives Matter Movement sends us all a clear message: racism is very much alive and Black people are beginning to awaken more to that realization. However, many Black parents send this message to their children: “It is not that bad, it is going to get better.” Learned optimism is a concept in positive psychology that is focused on helping people challenge negative thoughts and manage tough situations. It encourages people to remain strong in adverse circumstances, but there are disadvantages to this line of thinking. The idea that joy can be found in any situation prevents people from complaining about and leaving bad situations. It increases harmful tolerance and could be dangerous for mental health. Learned optimism could help your child become stronger and happier, but it could also pose a threat to their well-being, especially with the difficulties that Black children and adults face all over the world.
According to a 2015 poll, Black people living in the United States are by far the most optimistic racial group. The optimism that Black people possess is not directly linked to status, safety, or financial security, but rather due to [insert here], religion, and the notion of a survival instinct. When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, it was a win—not only for him—but for Black people living in the United States and other countries around the world. It gave hope to Black people of all ages that greatness was possible for the Black race. Black churches provide a community of faith and hope for all. This increases optimism in people of color and enables them to stay strong in the midst of challenges. Finally, Black parents encourage their children to embrace their survival instinct and stay positive. This brings about a generation that stays hopeful, no matter what. Black children and their parents believe strongly in the greatness that is possible within them.
In 2012, CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 conducted a study on race relations between 145 children in six schools across several states. White and Black children were shown a picture of two children of different races on the playground. When asked about the image, Black children overall had more positive interpretations of the image. Thirty-eight percent of Black children surveyed in the study were more likely to believe that the children in the image were friends or had positive encounters with each other, as opposed to a whopping 70 percent of white children. Experts acknowledged that this is because Black parents in the United States are more likely to prepare their children for a world of diversity and potential discrimination. They discuss important topics of race with their children, making Black children more accepting of diversity. The expert who led the study noted that many white parents, on the contrary, tend to avoid the topic of race because they believe it will create problems.
The spirit of optimism that encourages tolerance and growth continues from generation to generation in the Black race. As they become older, they are more likely to transfer such values to their children. Despite these combined factors, Black children are more likely to experience racism. They are likely to be bullied for the way they look, speak, or just the color of their skin. Black parents and children worry about being profiled by the police or being arrested because of negative beliefs that Black people are perpetrators of crime. These children, although initially optimistic, may eventually develop more negative views of society. The idea that one must struggle to stay happy and positive in the midst of racism and other difficulties makes change difficult to achieve. Learned optimism in Black children has its advantages, but it also contributes to complacency, or the unwillingness to push or advocate for change. Encouraging children to accept and struggle to thrive in difficulty may not be the best: Black children should be taught to change difficult situations and fight for a better society.
The Black Lives Matter movement showed Black people that they had the will and power to organize a nationwide protest against a situation that they had lived with for years—racism. Our generation is capable of achieving the impossible and our children should be made to see things in that light. Instead of convincing them that things will get better, we can convince them of their capability to make things better. We should also encourage Black children to speak out when they are in difficult situations. Parents can provide assistance when their children struggle with issues such as bullying, racism, and education and children will rely on their parents as the backbone of a strong support system. This is not to say that we should not raise hopeful Black kids: we should raise strong Black kids who believe in a great society and realize their essential part in making it come to fruition.
