CBeebies presenter Ben Cajee has made headlines this morning after the kids TV channel aired a segment with him discussing being mixed race. Hoping to educate the 0-6 year old audience on race and identity, he touched lightly on racism in the video now going viral.
‘We’ve been friends for a really, really long time so I thought I’d tell you a little bit about me and my family,’ Cajee begins the segment. ‘My mum is called Fiona, she was born near Coventry and she is white. My dad is called Yacob, he was born in London and he is black... I was born in Ipswich and I’m mixed race and I’m really, really proud of that.
Going on to explain how his personality and looks are impacted by each of his parents, he also attempted to educate the kids watching on racism. ‘Sometimes people have been unkind about what I look like and the colour of my skin,’ he explained. ‘But I try and forget about those people and instead focus on the people who are there for me and support me.’
The segment has proved popular with parents, with Cajee being praised for attempting to explore the topic of race with children. After the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement over the summer, one of the key takeaways from protests and campaigns alike was that there is not enough education around race and racism in schools and beyond.
However, there has also been notable backlash from some parents online. ‘Why is my 2 year old being taught about race?’ one Twitter user replied to CBeebies’s sharing the video. ‘When I was 2 it never entered my mind. Only in the last let's say 10 years has everything come down to what skin tone you are not about you personally...’
The negativity just proves it’s still needed.
The comment received hundreds of likes, and various others have added to the ignorant sentiment, accusing CBeebies of attempting to be ‘woke’. So much so, Cajee has responded himself to the reaction.
‘Thanks for the vast amount of love,’ he tweeted. ‘The negativity just proves it’s still needed. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”’.
And of course, he’s exactly right. Reactions like the above prove just why it’s vital that children’s TV and education programmes do enter into discussions about race and racism. Perhaps then, there’ll be a generation of white adults who are not only actively non-racist, but understand the importance of tackling ignorance around the world.
Thankfully, more parents seem to agree with many sharing their own experiences of being bullied for their race as a child or witnessing it in their classrooms. Hopefully, with people like Cajee educating children on racism early on, and uplifting those who experience it themselves, that will change.
How can I educate my child about racism?
According to Layla Hudson, a bookseller at Round Table Books – an inclusion-led bookshop in Brixton from Knights Of, having a diverse range of children's books is an integral way to teach your children about the various lived experiences different people have.
‘It is incredibly important for children - and adults - to have a diverse bookshelf,' she says. 'Education is key, and children must be able to learn about people who are different from them to broaden their world view.'
10 Books For Different Ages If You're Trying To Make Sure Your Child's Bookshelf Is Diverse
1 of 10Dream Big, Little Leader by Vashti Harrison (2+, non-fiction)
A lovely little board book to inspire even the youngest reader, as well as teaching them about some inspirational Black women in history. It's never too early to start educating children.
2 of 10So Much by Trish Cooke (2+, fiction)
A classic - and one I remember my dad reading to me often! This book is a joy, and features all of the wonderful family members in baby's life that love him 'so much', and the ways that they show that love.
3 of 10Look Up! by Nathan Bryon & Dapo Adeola (3+, fiction)
A truly beautiful book - and beloved at Round Table Books! This wonderfully illustrated picture book is all about Rocket, a young girl obsessed with the stars, and her determination to get her community - and also her brother - to look up and experience the joys of the stars with her!
4 of 10Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds by Annabelle Sami (7+, fiction)
This fun and inspiring mystery novel is great for young readers, and has a brilliant friendship at its core.
5 of 10Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins (8+, non-fiction)
A celebration of the achievements of 52 inspirational Black people, past and present, from homeland abroad. This is an excellent educational tool, as well as something to cherish for life.
6 of 10Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison (8+, non fiction)
Another must have for every child. This book will inspire young readers, while also learning about many Black men in history that have changed the world with their actions, as well as some present day heroes.
7 of 10High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson (9+, fiction)
A British murder mystery with two young detectives, Nik and Norva, who are determined to solve the case. A brilliant book from a masterful author - as you read you can feel the heat of the sweltering summer!
8 of 10This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell and Aurelia Durand (10+, non-fiction)
An excellent start for educating children on what racism is and how to go about becoming anti-racist. It's a brilliant resource with very powerful illustrations throughout.
9 of 10Dear Martin by Nic Stone (14+, fiction)
A captivating novel. Justyce is top of his class, dreams set on going to an Ivy League college, but the police don't care about any of that when they put him in cuffs - they just see the colour of his skin. Told with letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr as Justyce tries to gather his thoughts, this is one book every teenager should read. The sequel, Dear Justyce, is out later this year.
10 of 10The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (14+, fiction)
This incredibly raw debut novel excellently captures internal struggles of growing up and learning to find your voice. Written in verse, this is one that is sure to make you shed a tear.
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10 Books To Buy If You’re Trying To Make Your Child’s Bookshelf More Diverse