I put a call out on the Black Women in Europe Facebook group to find out what my sisters are doing across the continent. Here is a project worth hearing about:
dear adrianne,
in racist italy a group of parents of black and mixed-race children has set up a self-help group. we want our children to grow proud of their identity in a society where their blackness is not celebrated, nor valued and where they are constantly in the minority.through the group they can meet with other black children at least once a month in a safe, anti-racist environment, learn about their roots, and have as positive role-models other black adults.
we share children books having as main characters black children (we have to import them from the Usa or UK because in Italy there aren’t any, would you believe?) and they can play with multicultural dolls and toys ( in italy in the nurseries all of the dolls are white and multicultural toys are non -existent)
the group is the first of its kind in Italy and has been set up a couple of years ago and has since helped the growth of a black pride and sense of belonging in all the children who have attended.
Please visit the AfroItaliani website and Facebook page and share with your friends in Italy.