API Policy and Actions on Justice and Anti-Racism
Attachment Parenting International exists to be world changing, at its core working to create a more compassionate world. Healthy early secure attachment raises healthy secure individuals who, because they do not grow with insecurity and fear that causes separation, division, and harm, can give and love from a place of stability, security, empathy, and compassion for all. Anti-racism though parenting. The inherent value of every human life and the birthright of every human child for equitable, just, safe and healthy development surrounded by loving and caring families and communities.
Interest in attachment parenting is interest in a more compassionate, just, and equitable world, because parenting support helps release us from intergenerational cycles of trauma. Proclaiming peaceful parenting for a peaceful world from our earliest days, we believe the work begins at home with how we raise our children and change ourselves.
As an international grassroots organization with eight guiding principles and a basis in nonviolent communication, we encompass a broad community. We are our volunteers--and many more--with a message that reaches far and wide. We endeavor to be on the right path but we want to do more. We commit to:
- Ongoing listening and learning;
- Setting an example with work in our own homes and in our organization by looking at all of our boards and volunteers;
- Using API's network to promote anti-racism and compassion through our information and our local representation;
- Expanding API’s training resources to include clear information on implicit bias and white privilege;
- Sharing the work of and encouraging support for parenting authors and professionals of color; and
- Actively work to expand API's network to include the widest range of voices.
For parents at home with young children, talk to them, listen to their questions, read them books that show diversity, as they grow, continue to share stories about racism, talk with them, help them know how to respond, model in your home compassion for every person, connect with others different from yourself, and teach them to serve and fight discrimination and injustice. We will work to continue to resource and support you and we hope you will help us be accountable.
"Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of colour to deal with it. It’s up to all of us – Black, white, everyone – no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets."
Michelle Obama
