My kids and I were at the laundromat (yay... GOSH I need a working dryer!) tonight, and they have a small tv there. My four-year-old was sitting and watching a show -- I think it might have been a rerun of the Cosby Show -- when he laughed and announced loudly, "I like that black show!"
At the time, I just shushed him.
If he says something like that again, though, how should I respond? Should I just shush him? Ignore it? Tell him it's not nice?
I can't even tell if I think it's offensive or not. I mean, he wasn't saying anything negative about it. He didn't know the name of the show. But it just seemed to ring an "inappropriate" alarm.
2007-12-06 17:56:12 · 14 answers · asked by CrazyChick 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I don't think it was the term "black." I am not going to expect my four-year-old, who has trouble pronouncing his entire name, to think to say "African-American."
I think what bothered me was that he felt the need to point out the race at all. It seemed like it could just have easily been "I like that show!"
2007-12-07 01:49:39 · update #1
I was going to answer and then I read Pinkys answer and she said it perfectly. Good luck
2007-12-06 18:02:19 · answer #1 · answered by feeona 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Don't beat yourself up about it.
I give you a congrats! because you are listening to your children. You are aware of what your kids are saying even while doing the laundry.
He is only four years old and wasn't being disrespectful. You can be proud of that. You're doing something right. The mere fact that you're asking this questions tells me you're concerned about doing the right thing.
He sure was enjoying the Cosby Show and that's what the show was all about. Enjoyment and laughing. It's always great to hear kids laugh. I loved watching the Cosby Show. Always have been a fan of Bill Cosby.
Sit the kids down and talk about black/white issues. They're young, but will understand. If they have any questions, you'll be prepared. If you can't answer some of there questions (they can come up with doozies) this would be a good time to take a trip to the library with the kids and look up subjects on black history. There may be something in the children's section. You could read an age appropriate story to them.
You sound like a concerned, loving mother. Very good question.
2007-12-06 19:02:34 · answer #2 · answered by Eagles Fly 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Let it go. he's a child, and he doesn't know the differences between races, after all you're his parent, and guardian, i readily assume that you have not expressed our views in a negative way towards the black community. [AS IF IT MATTERS ANYWAY]. He does not know what he said was wrong, and ultimately it was not offensive what so ever, he was merely just enjoying a show on television and happened to say it was a black show which it ultimately is, so theres not problems what so ever. It's not offensive, he's a kid, he doesn't know what he's saying and he did not say it with vulgarity or with a malice intent so you should not be harsh to him in anyway or reprehend him for it. I hate it when people today can't say what they truly feel without feeling as if they've offended someone, just let it go and have an ease of mind about the whole situation, and let him enjoy his youth while he still can. You're a great mother for being concerned about this I must say.
2007-12-06 20:02:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him it is not a black show, it is a tv comedy. Just a show. Somehow he learned to differentiate. It does ring an appropriate alarm because the next thing that will occur is that he will label people as "that Black lady or Man". You will be embarrassed and they might be uncomfortable. the bigger the deal, the more confused he will become. but a gentle correction is in order.
2007-12-06 18:05:19 · answer #4 · answered by dallas 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
specific, I even have 2 Yahoo email addresses by using Yahoo. the two considered one of my addresses confirmed up on my solutions profile. I had to be certain considered one of them. If an handle isn't shown, it heavily isn't used.
2016-11-13 22:55:32 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really think there is anything wrong with it. It's all in the context.
Logically thinking... would you be offended if you heard a black kid say he thought that white guy is funny if he was watching Everybody Loves Raymond?
I don't think that "Black" is a derogotory word...
2007-12-07 01:31:10 · answer #6 · answered by Proud Momma 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He is still very young, so his intentions were not offensive. I just find it strange that he knows that black people are called black people. Does he hear you or people in your household say that? Not that is a bad phrase, but I just thought it was odd that he knew that at such a young age. If something similar happens again, tell him that is not an appropriate comment to make. Tell him that people are people and shouldn't be categorized by their skin color.
2007-12-06 18:07:51 · answer #7 · answered by Angrygirl5 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
OMG!!
im not one bit prejudice...but the kid was only using his lil mind to DESCIBE something!!!
He saw a BLACK man and said it! he LIKES the black show!
What the CRAP is WRONG with that!! we have done that all our lives and i have seen this millions of times right here on YAHOO..even just tonite! "Why cant white people dance?"
Why cant black people talk quietly?"
Because thats LIFE!!! We are what we are and thats NOT prejudice! It was the TOWER OF BABEL and thats just how GOD made us!.....
Different languages, colors, ways to speak, dance, sing, express ourselves.....
We are all alike, and yet different!!! all the way down to our YES!!! im SAYING IT...COLOR!!!
and no that is not racist..thats just FAX..the facts man!
2007-12-06 18:42:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
My daughter does this too and at 1st I thought "oh my are these people going to think our family is racist" but the truth is they will learn later on in life that this may confuse or hurt someones feelings.I told her once that she shouldn't say it because it isn't very nice but if someone is upset with you because your son may say it and they can't tell that he doesn't understand then I would tell them to grow up and get over it.It isn't like he is going to be the host of WET(BET).
2007-12-06 18:12:24 · answer #9 · answered by alexandra n 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Talk to your child about it so that it does not happen again. Dont wait for it to happen and it really does offend someone. :)
Tell him the name of the show and just correct him. Dont punish....educate.
2007-12-06 18:13:23 · answer #10 · answered by Girly Graphics 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should address it, but not harshly...he's just a little guy and meant no harm, but he will have to learn that bringing up race in public can be inappropriate unders some circumstances.
2007-12-06 18:04:32 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋