Spencer and I make a sincere effort to help our kids grow up without prejudices. We talk about all people the same...people are just people. Right? We don't point out skin color and especially don't label people by their skin color.
When we color, I color just as many Asian kids and Indian kids and Latino kids and black kids as I do white kids. I don't want my kids thinking I prefer white kids (besides my own of course). My kids do the same when they color. I don't think it would even occur to Parker to draw a group of people who were all white. Reid, though quite the budding artist, still takes a lot of creative liberties...his people are green and purple and blue as well.
Columbus is a pretty diverse place. Parker's school included. He doesn't have any "black" friends or "white" friends. His friends are tan, light brown, peach, brown, or apricot. In fear of him possibly offending someone, I tried to explain to him that African Americans are generally referred to as "Black." He freaked..."but they don't look black." Then I said that we would be considered white..."but I'm apricot!"
It may have been beneficial to explain this to my kids earlier on.
Parker asked the other day if he could have corn rows. He gets a little jealous of the beads at the end of his friends hair.
11 comments:
Aww, come on! Be a sport and give the kid some corn rows! Your boys are so sweet and innocent. I just love your stories. Thanks for sharing.
That's a great post Katie.
And so great of you and Spencer to make an effort to not point out "colors" just people. I wish more people were like that.
It's hilarious that Parker wants cornrows, and that he says he's apricot. What a funny kid.
I want Anna to know it is what is on the inside that counts not the out. I try to make sure we check out books that have different races in them. This book has been my favorite so far.
Shades of People by Shelley Rotner
I also think that you would find this article interesting.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/214989
I'm offended.
Just joking.
It's so nice to have the diversity that comes with living outside of Utah.
And I say go for the corn rows.
Ok I just think this post is funny. Especially the corn rows. SWEET!!! You are great parents!
I think you should go with the cornrows... I had them when I was younger. They were lots of fun!
Oh, that is so funny!!! We have dealt with similar things. My kids refer to blacks as "brown" and us as "tan" I have tried to explain as well and it just doesn't make sense to them. :)
Well, I've always considered myself sorta manilla...like the envelope. And once I even had corn rows (on the mission) they were pretty fantastic. It was only for 1 P-day. haha!
It was good to hear from you Katie One Shirt. What ever happened to the band you were in, "Katie and the Slide Whistles?"
Well it sounds like you have your hands full. Though, I'm not sure I would classify my bunch as "sweet." The other day we had friends over and Hannah kept trying to punch everybody in the gut. This morning Elle cried for about 30 minutes before I realized that she just wanted to sit at the table. So demanding...
Boston is good, it is totally snowing right now and I'm in the middle of finals. I can't wait to be done with school. Then, in all likelihood, we will be back in CA.
Are you in Columbus OH. Did I ever tell you my mom grew up in Bowling Green?
Best,
Dave
So will I see Parker with corn rows on Sunday? I can't wait!!
Oh that is great!
I do have to say that children are funny and I think it is GREAT that you are teaching your children that people are people...children of God.
I tried calling you but couldn't get a hold of you...just wanted to thank you for coming Saturday...it really did mean a lot to me!
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