White parents who tell their kids that race doesn’t matter are ignoring the long shadow of racism

The family of Nolan Wells, during a July 20, 2026, service in Ocean Springs, Miss., for the 18-year-old found dead after taking a July 4 boat trip with friends. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert “Look around.” “Pay attention.” “Be mindful of where you are and who you are with.” “Check in. With us. With yourself.” For parents of Black children, these four statements represent routine guidance they give, part of “the talk,” a well-worn ritual of racial socialization that shapes how Black children and…