My opinion: How parenting can obliterate racism:
Definition:
Rac·ism
/ˈrāˌsizəm/
noun
1. the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
2. prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior or inferior
Similar: racial discrimination, racialism, racial prejudice/bigotry, xenophobia, chauvinism, bigotry, bias, intolerance, anti-Semitism, apartheid
When you hear me out I always want you to think of the definition of racism in its purest simplest terms.
First picture:
1. By true definition of racism this picture is racist. It’s teaching a person based on their race that they are Superior or inferior to another.
2. This sets up a racist dialog and thought process in a child’s mind
3. This creates more racism and continues the cycle of racism.
Pictures 2-4
This is how you create the foundation for a thought process and inner dialog within a child that is free of racism.
Human Race:
1. We start by teaching the child that there is one race. The Human Race which is made up of People. Individual people who you refer to as a person.
2. What makes up a person? Every person has an Identity, Culture and Character.
3. Ask your child: Do you know anything about a person before you talk to them and get to know them? No because you don’t know how they identify, what their culture is or their character. This lays the foundation within the child that he can not assume anything about a person just by looking at them. This eliminates the prejudice that labeling people as anything but an individual does in the inner dialog.
4. What makes up a persons identity? Gender, sexuality, career, lifestyle, name
5. What makes up a persons culture? Heritage, Family History, Ethnicity
6. What makes up a persons character? Actions and Beliefs
Reinforce the correct vocabulary so that the inner dialog doesn’t speak of racism or prejudice. Have your child glue pictures of all different types of people in all different types of clothing, situations, groups. Continuously use the same vocabulary to refer to each picture as they glue them: Human, Individual, Individuals, Person, People
1. Humans - we are one human race made up of all different types of people.
2. People are all different and they are all individuals who have identities, cultures and character
3. You do not know anything about an individual persons identity, culture or character until you speak to them.
Creating the inner dialog:
1. When you see other people know that we are all human
2. All humans; People have identities, cultures and character
3. Can you tell a persons identity from looking at them? No
4. Can you tell a persons Culture by looking at them? No
5. Can you tell a persons Character by looking at them? No
6. Do you know anything about anyone before you talk to them? No
7. What’s the best way to find out someone’s identity, culture and character? Getting to know them
This is how you fight racism by removing it from the thought process completely. If you’re telling your children about white privilege and black lives matters and not telling them that both of those terms are racist then you are breeding the next round of racial thinking. You’re creating a racist thought process and inner dialog in your child based on your beliefs instead of laying the foundation for a completely racist free thought process and inner dialog.
How do we create change for cultures and injustice? We teach our children the heritage, history and the story of every culture and show them the injustices and what changes have been made and what we need to do to further the progress. Through education we combat the past to make change for the future. Through the inner dialog and thought process we cultivate understanding and mindfulness of others as a person, an individual who you should be curious to learn about. This is how I believe we as a human race combat racism, prejudice, anti Semitism and discrimination. We wipe the slate clean of racial dialogs and thought processes and approach it all through the vocabulary and education allowing us to lay a new foundation for equality for all in the future.
