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Talk About Race And Culture
In the 21st Century our race and culture should not be a problem for others but it is.
It is important that you equip your children with the necessary tools to defend themselves when faced with racism.
Talk about racial issues, even if your child does not bring up the subject. Use natural opportunities, such as a television program or newspaper article that talks about race in some way. Let your child know that you feel comfortable discussing race; the positive aspects as well as the negative ones. It is important that you give your child a balanced view of race and culture, be sure to point out when things are negative and explain why. Ensure that you have an ample supply of positive portrayals of all cultures.
Even a young child needs to know that while your family celebrates difference, other families may not know many people who are different. These families are sometimes afraid of what they don’t know or understand, and may at times react in unkind ways. It can be difficult to deal with such issues, especially when your child is young and still does not know that some adults have these negative feelings, but by dealing with it you will help your child become a strong, healthy adult, preparing him or her to stand up in the face of ignorance, bias, or adversity.
Stand with your children if they are the victim of a racial incident or have problems in your community because of the unkind actions of others. This does not mean you should fight their battles for them, but rather support them and give them the tools to deal with life's challenges.
Confront racism openly. Discuss it with your friends and family and the supportive multi-cultural community with which you associate. Ask other adults of colour that you know to share their insights with both you and your child. Above all, if your child's feelings are hurt, let them talk about the experience with you, and acknowledge that you understand.
