Welcome back to part 3 of this 4-part Black History Month Series!
Five years ago, 3-year old Sophia from South Carolina went viral when she visited a Target with her mother and chose a doll made in the image of her favorite cartoon character -Doc McStuffins.
The cashier questioned why Sophia, a 3-year old white child, would choose a black doll. Sophia's response was heard worldwide as she explained how she and Doc McStuffins were the same - including they were both doctors and both pretty.
The moral of the story is that representation and exposure matter for all children. While Sophia's story makes my heart sing as a doctor, I want us to do more to ensure that children of all genders and races see themselves represented in media and academics. In today's episode, I am focusing on why representation matters for black children and the ways that adults and the community at large can advocate for representation.