Diversity?

[sunnydays]

The problem with racial stereotypes and racism is that it is everywhere and all around you. It is on TV, in books, portrayed in toys, and comes from people in the community as well. While bullying is very hurtful and can certainly have lasting effects on anyone who has been victim to it, it really is not the same thing. Racism is systemic. Racial identity begins very very early. My son has said many things at the age of 4-5 years old about race...generalizatio ns that he has made from what he has seen in his world. When he comes home talking about how people in Africa are starving and drinking dirty water (his teacher said so), it has a huge effect on his sense of identity as a child of African heritage. It is not that these things are untrue, but how often do they talk in school about positive things related to Africa or Africans? How often do the kids come home talking about the big modern cities in Africa and the kids who go to school every day and eat good food just like them? This is what I mean by systemic...the prevailing societal image of black people is overwhelmingly negative...whether it be poverty, gun violence, etc. Kids internalize this very early on and it is so important to fill them with pride and confidence in who they are from a young age. I know I have gone a bit off on a tangent from the OP's question about diversity...but this is actually an important topic that I feel very strongly about.