I read an article in the September 14 issue of Newsweek. Actually, I read all of the articles, but this article on racism caught my attention. Here are four powerful (what I thought were powerful) quotations that I took away from the article:
1)"Instead of always telling our children that we are all equal and the same, we should tell them that we are all different. Saying we're the same naturally makes them look for differences. Conversely, saying we're all different (in appearance, cultures, etc.) makes them instinctively look for ways we're alike." Thank you Erica L. Scott from NY for your wise comment.
I agree. My dear mother and father raised me on the idea that we are all the same. They are right, in the idea that we are equal. Americans are not better than Africans. Africans are not better than Mexicans. Everyone should be treated equally. But, are we all the "same?" No! We are not. We were all created differently; different noses, eyes, hair color, skin color ... for a reason. A beautiful reason. God created us that way. I believe in God -- I know He created me the way I am and I am proud of it. I am proud of my hair color. I am proud of my height. We are unique. Let's stay that way.
2)"Why promulgate the theory of infantile discrimination? Attitudes are learned, not genetic," Richard Harris from IL said.
3)"The questions posed to 5-year-olds by Brigitte Vittrup are self-fulfilling: they compel respondents to recognize racial differences, and they're capable of seeding discriminatory perceptions. Anyone who has raised children has witnessed them fearing strangers, not just new faces who are racially diverse. They may be the child's own flesh and blood, perhaps those with whom he or she is unaccustomed, while those with more familiarity enjoy the benefit of the doubt. Ideally most children will get over their errant judgment. For the ones who don't, Vittrup needs to question the parents."
"We need to teach respect for one another rather than try to "Erase" our racism because, the fact is, you cannot erase it." Frosty Wooldridge, CO.
Hmmm. I don't think Mom and Dad taught us that everyone is the same at all.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the fact that we are all equal. That whites aren't better than blacks. That is what I mean. They did teach us that everyone was unique in the sense that God created us differently. No one is alike in that sense.
ReplyDeleteDo I not make that very clear in my post?
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I like that. I will have to remember that when I'm at the grocery store and Tanner points out that someone is a different color than he is. That is just it... that person is different that Tanner. It should be celebrated not discriminated against.
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