I have really never experienced any of the stressors that
the class has listed. One that I would
like to mention though is racism. I am a
Caucasian woman married to an African American male. I know that nothing I have experienced from racism
is even close to what any person of another culture or race has, but I have
experienced the ignorance that has come with being married to another
race. The side comments or that my
children are half breed. Those words
hurt and at first I would fight back with words, but now I just smile and walk
away. My children are now asking
questions why they are not my color or my husband’s color. They have the prettiest shade of caramel
skin. They have experienced racism;
ignorance at their young age. That
scares me, because my children do not deserve that. They are wonderful and are so innocent. They deserve to live a fearless life and able
to experience life without feeling unworthy because of their race. It angers me that my children have
experienced it with family members that are supposed to not judge. I shelter my children from everything and I
think I overcompensate at times by assuring that they experience a healthy and
happy life at every experience.
I have always wondered what our children of today feel about
racism or prejudice. My children are now
learning the correct words to call it and are able to say that someone was
prejudice against them because of their belief or race. We live in the 21st century and we
are still experiencing this. Why? I believe that racism is taught at home or by
a group of people and it has to stop.
Stopping the hatred so that our children can live their lives happier.
Right in our country we still have some southern states
segregating children in schools. This is
a true eye opener for me and it saddens me to see this going on in our
country. I just read about a school
district in Mississippi that were stacking classrooms so that the white children
were not with the black children. What?
This is crazy to me. Can you
imagine how those children feel? That
because of your race you could possibly get a better education. How do we stop this? We need to speak up and
get involved more with our children.
What are they experiencing in life and how is it making them feel. I know that what I am experiencing is nothing
compared to what others have experienced about racism, but I want be more
involved with the ending of racism.
Hello Crissy,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that in this day and age we still are dealing with this level of iggnorance. For that and that alone is the true reason i believe that we are still seeing this level of stupidity is do to the iggnorance that is being passed on from generation to generation. The problem is not just the schools that you have read about but the tolerance of people that have allowed others to teach thier young this hate the need for being better than someone else due to skin color or heritage. The day it stops is when people within families stand up to those that still try to pass on those racisit comments, jokes and thoughts. The day it stops is when we look at those people and we all know them that stay and make statements that should not be tolerated. those schools you speak of it time for those like you and me to take a stand one voice for all the little voices that can not do themselves stop the racisim in the schools teach that it is not going to be tolerated and then we can begin to get rid of those iggnorant people. which i have had to experience first hand here within my daycare and to those people i removed them from my program no child should be taught racisim or feel insecure. I am so sorry your children have had to experence that as a mother i say hug them for me tell them not all people are that way and those that treat them that way are jealous of seeing thier future leaders, doctors and voices for those that can not speak for themselves.
Crissy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience. Your children are lucky to have you. From what you wrote, I can tell that you are teaching them tolerance; even when they are dealing with ignorant people. Teaching children about ignorance, racism, and discrimination in a way that makes sense to them is so smart. You are teaching your little ones that they are important and what they have to say is important, too. I am sure they will stand up for themselves or ask for advice when they notice themselves being treated unfairly.
Hi Chrissy,
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame how some people can be towards others. Growing up I faced racisum/steriotyping for not being a certain skin color or "Spanish enough". I have fair skin and blue eyes which is not as typically as far as Hispanic goes for many people. I think there will always be people who make fun or make people feel bad in order for them to feel better about themselves. I think more people need to be aware that there is no "right way" for any particular race(s) to look like. The United States is a melting pot of full of beautiful people.