What will you teach your children about racism?

Question

Most people learn racial stereotypes from two sources: the media and most importantly, their parents. What will you teach your children about people who don't look the same as they do?

Answer 1

I recently addressed a race based question. The link below shows the answer i gave there; However, I will paste a small portion here as a preview:

Behavior based on skin color is illogical. Behavior is most often based on socialization, meaning, they learn behavior. A person cannot teach their skin to be a certain color. (they can use material things to change their skin color) So, behaviors based on skin color is equating education to biology. This is a logical fallacy. (Meaning an error in one's logic)

I too have to deal with large amounts of discrimination based on the social categories society puts me into. I have listed links below if you would like to preview the world i experience. The hate directed at me is also socialized behavior. people learn and teach hate =( you can learn and/or teach hate. or you can choose to learn and teach something more positive."

I plan to teach my children to see one category: Humans. and to assess oppression as a matter of Human inequality; rather than just an issue of race. Tunnel vision and "Us vs Them" dicotomies encourage people to be blind to all but specific forms of oppression. T_T

Thank you for posting your question. Asking the right questions is a great way to educate ^_~

Answer 2

I taught by example, by never treating anyone differently. I thought that would be enough. Then I was in the car with my future mother-in-law and found out I also had to teach my daughter about people who are racist. As the FMIL was saying the n word, my poor daughter was sitting there confused, not knowing what it meant, only knowing by the tone that it wasn't a good word. I explained history as best I could. The only thing I couldn't explain was why some people felt that way because I honestly don't know.

Answer 3

You forget within the last 100 years, religion was also part of spreading racism lol.

I think you are so right about family, to a greater or lesser degree racism and gender biased is raised from family. Every eithnic group feels and think themselves superior at one point ( as with every religion ) BUT in spite of those feelings of self-importance, there are those who have bigger hearts than ego, and teach their children to learn to accept the beauty that other races and cultures have. These wonderful parents ( and teachers ) help the young to embrace the beauty that makes us different and accept the parts that make us the same.

If I have children, I will for sure teach them, no matter what color, creed or beliefs systems we have... ALL people want ONE thing, we all want to be happy, we all want to be around people we love and we all want to provide for our loved ones; affection, shelther, food and necessities.

Most of all, we all depend on each other to make this world revolve. We depend on farmers to bring us crops, we depend on fishermen to bring us treasures of the sea and we depend on up to the newspaper boy to bring us information right to our door step.

Respect of others, appreciate the simple favors of others and embrace the beautiful part of others... no matter what race, creed or beliefs we may have....

Excellent question!! One that builds instead of destroy....

Answer 4

Coming from a biracial family...living in Louisiana, i have learned one thing....People no matter what color they are have racial tendencies....If you look a person in the eyes...you wont know what color they are.people will talk no matter what. You can't make the world stop spinning, so go along for the ride. Those that hate...hate themselves...not you...just be who you are...you are the only one who can take you where you are going...and if you ever face racism, that stops you from getting to the place where you are headed...make sure to stand up loud, be heard,,make a difference.. for yourself...and those behind you.

Answer 5

I think the fact that I myself have friends and associates from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds make my children accepting of all people regardless of their skin color or religious beliefs. There was an incident when my eldest son asked my friend why her eyes were "almost closed all of the time". She is of Korean descent. She thought it was honest of him to ask and answered that her parents have that type of feature, which was passed on to her. Needless to say, we did have a little chat after she left.

Answer 6

Obviously, that judging a book by its cover is wrong and extremely ignorant. We've got enough jackasses trying to ruin society with their line of thinking- let's at least try to make the world a better place for future generations.

Answer 7

Flowers are lovely because they are so varied in size, shape, and color.

Imagine how boring the world would be if ALL flowers looked the same.

People are the same: the variation of size, shape, skin-tone and hair color and type are lovely to see! Just as all flowers are flowers, all people are people. We all want to be happy, raise our kids, and live safe, happy lives.

Investigate, explore, learn. Don't exclude and hate.

Answer 8

That we are all created from the same two people that racism is stupid and immature. Don't ever sterotype people like all redheads have a temper. All Mexicans do what? whatevr they do.

Answer 9

I would tell my child to only look at a person as a human and not the color of their skin or their religion.

Answer 10

both my children have been taught this is not an option in my home,they respect people of any race and will correct anyone who disrespects another in front of them