The other day I had an epiphany while sitting in "story time" at the library with my 3 year old. As I took a quick glace up from my phone to watch my daughter twirl, jump and twist to music while the reader blew bubbles for the toddlers to enjoy, I observed something that every human being should absorb. I saw children; black, white, Asian, Latino, etc. all twirling, jumping and twisting together. These toddlers have no idea what racism, prejudice, racial hatred or ethnocentrism is. All they know is that they LOVE music and bubble time during story time. Many were bumping into each by accident, however, no one pulled out a gun or shouted a racial slur in retaliation. They simply kept twirling, jumping twisting and laughing.
I am in no wise naive and think that racial harmony will explode in our nation like a roaring volcano. What I do know is each one of us can take a good look within ourselves and be honest with ourselves. Asking, do I have any prejudice in me? And you, no matter what race or ethnic group you fall in, will answer yes! The first part to healing is recognizing that a problem exist, regardless how small or large it is. For some people dislike for another human due to race is not a major issue, for others, it is a driving hate that has polluted ones soul. Regardless of the size of the prejudice, it will spread like a cancer, destroying every aspect of ones life if aggressive treatment is not applied.
ALL people can be prejudice. I remember hearing this black man say that blacks can not be prejudice. That is a total lie! Dictionary.com defines prejudice as a "preconceived preference or idea. An adverse judgement or opinion without knowledge or examination of the facts." So lets ALL be honest with ourselves, we have ALL prejudged someone without knowing one thing about them based on their race, ethnicity and color.
So how does this relate to being a mommy or parent? Simple! Stop where you are and think right now. Reflect on times you have driven in your car and a person of another skin color cut you off. What is the first word or thought you uttered about them? Seriously........ Now that we are being honest, if you really want to change and help change this world for our kids, it must start from within our hearts as parents. You can not teach what you do not practice or believe. You can not talk about love, but walk in hate!
The next time you need a boost of true racial love and harmony, find a library that diverse groups of people frequent and sit in on a toddler story time. You will see innocence at its finest. May God help us all to love as He does.
Until next blog,
Angela Johnson Ayers
I am in no wise naive and think that racial harmony will explode in our nation like a roaring volcano. What I do know is each one of us can take a good look within ourselves and be honest with ourselves. Asking, do I have any prejudice in me? And you, no matter what race or ethnic group you fall in, will answer yes! The first part to healing is recognizing that a problem exist, regardless how small or large it is. For some people dislike for another human due to race is not a major issue, for others, it is a driving hate that has polluted ones soul. Regardless of the size of the prejudice, it will spread like a cancer, destroying every aspect of ones life if aggressive treatment is not applied.
ALL people can be prejudice. I remember hearing this black man say that blacks can not be prejudice. That is a total lie! Dictionary.com defines prejudice as a "preconceived preference or idea. An adverse judgement or opinion without knowledge or examination of the facts." So lets ALL be honest with ourselves, we have ALL prejudged someone without knowing one thing about them based on their race, ethnicity and color.
So how does this relate to being a mommy or parent? Simple! Stop where you are and think right now. Reflect on times you have driven in your car and a person of another skin color cut you off. What is the first word or thought you uttered about them? Seriously........ Now that we are being honest, if you really want to change and help change this world for our kids, it must start from within our hearts as parents. You can not teach what you do not practice or believe. You can not talk about love, but walk in hate!
The next time you need a boost of true racial love and harmony, find a library that diverse groups of people frequent and sit in on a toddler story time. You will see innocence at its finest. May God help us all to love as He does.
Until next blog,
Angela Johnson Ayers
This made me think,I will make sure my children understand this and will harmonize in their lives.
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