Me: Yes
Adrian: Did you know me and Tito (Gian's nickname) have different color eyes and we are brothers?
Me: Yes I do!
Adrian is 6. He can see that even though cartoon characters have different features, they can still be considered family. He sees nothing wrong with them having different features. Just like he doesn't see that he and his step-brother having different features makes them any less of a family.
Amberly: How come you have darker skin than me?
Me: Well, you have the same skin tone as your mom.....
Amberly: Oh and Adrian's is like yours!
Me: Yup!
Amberly: That's cool!
Amberly is 7. I'm sure this was something she had been wondering for a while and just asked. I answered and she was OK with it. She looks like her mom and Adrian looks like me!
These children see differences but it is not a big deal to them. I make a conscious effort to teach them that just because someone looks different from you, doesn't mean they are bad or evil. Racism is not an inherited trait, children learn to be racists and to discriminate against others.
I believe that living in a metropolitan city, like Miami, where there are so many different nationalities and cultures represented, helps children to be exposed to variety. It helped me. I have been to other cities in the US and been discriminated against for my skin color, for speaking Spanish, etc. It doesn't feel good to be discriminated against and I would never want any of my kids to behave in such a disgusting manner. Ultimately, it isn't the city you are raised in or what you read, parents are a child's main teacher and it is up to parents to not teach their children intolerance, hate and to discriminate.
Definition of Racism from Wikipedia:
"Racism is usually defined as views, practices and actions reflecting the belief that humanity is divided into distinct biological groups called races and that members of a certain race share certain attributes which make that group as a whole less desirable, more desirable, inferior, or superior. "
Racism is learned, not inherited and it is not taught in our house!!!!!
