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Raising Children Without Bias
How to Unlearn Racism So You Don't Limit Your Children's Potential
By Deb Capone
To take the emotion and power out of racism, we have to understand what we are really saying. Consider the words terrorist and illegal alien as an example of "code words."
Has terrorist become a "code" word for people of Arab decent that hides anti-Arab sentiments?
Illegal aliens simply don't exist. There are people living in the United States that don't have the proper documentation to enter the United States. But they themselves are not illegal. How can people be illegal?
Today's illegal aliens are likely to be from Mexico which begs the question of what we are truly worried about – the legal or racial implications of our immigration policies? It wouldn't be the first time that racialist sentiments have been masked in legalities.
Racism can only exist where there is ignorance and fear. Examine your values and beliefs when you consider those who are different from you. Then educate yourself where need be and demonstrate your willingness to learn and explore different cultures, races and religions to your children.
If you can replace your biases and prejudices with facts, your children will garner real intercultural competence. And nly then will they be armed to face the 21st century with confidence. You will be arming them with one of the most important tools for their success in the world.
