Yasmin, who is Black, walks into the dramatic play area, enjoying the sound of the beads in her braids clicking to the rhythm of her steps. Her teacher, Ms. Cindy, who is White, and her friend Alexis, who is Black, are sitting on the floor, talking and braiding the dolls’ hair. Ms. Cindy and Alexis take turns choosing beads to put in the dolls’ braids.
Recognizing this familiar scenario, Yasmin picks up a doll and declares, “I’m Auntie Doreen.” She sits down to join the play. Thinking about how carefully her mother brushes her hair, Yasmin picks up a plastic banana and tells another child, “My baby likes this brush because it is the softest.”