Children And Racism Essay, Research Paper

In the 21st century, the ability to work and communicate with people from different racial and ethnic groups will be as essential as computer skills. (Parent News for March 1998).

The United States is one of, if not the most, diverse society in the world. As time goes on, our children will be involved in an even more diverse world. That is why it is so crucial for us as role models to educate our youngsters about how to live, learn and play with others whose race, religion or ethnicity is different from their own.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that continues to discriminate against racial and ethnic groups. By speaking to our children we can reduce the amount of negativity that flows through their young minds. One important gift we can give our children is to create an atmosphere in which they are open to express their thoughts about racism. We can also learn about their own experiences.

Children are constantly being subjected with images and ideas we don t have control over in school, on television, or even at a park. One of our most difficult hurdles is our own prejudice. How de we really view people? Do I avoid driving through neighborhoods because of the color of people that live there, or do I move closer to the other side of the elevator when a person of different ethnicity enters. If we overcome our own biases we are less likely to pass them to our children.

Many times children will ask questions about ethnicity we would like to avoid. Reading through different articles on the internet I found one concern in particular that would have me wonder what I would answer if that question was presented to me. After her 1st day of kindergarten, my daughter asked why Karla, the only Spanish speaking girl in her class, talks weird. (National Parent Information Network). In the article, they mention that we should mention to our child that people from different parts of the world sound different. (National Parent Information Network).

Children begin asking questions right when they can talk, and they wonder about the similarities and differences between people. It is our job to become more active in our child s lives, so they can grow up and not be constricted by fear of people of different ethnicity.