Kind Human Nature.....

Obviously, racism and racial slurs are sticky things to talk about. I guess I am taking the easy way out by blogging about this topic rather than bringing it up to several individuals who have over the past year or so made offensive comments and racial slurs in front Margaret. I actually find talk, jokes, name calling.....based on race, religion, disability or really any outward characteristic VERY offensive. However, I am adult and am able to sensor in my head what is right and what is just plain ignorant and inappropriate. My almost 4 year old is not able to do that yet. Therefore, I want our (Jonathan and I STRONGLY agree on this issue)views about racially motivated comments and discrimination in general made very clear.

We believe that people are equal and should not be judged or commented about based on color or religion or any outward characteristic. We feel it is important to expose Margaret to a diverse group of friends to prepare her for the diverse world we live in. I am very proud to say that Margaret has many friends who are physically disabled, mentally disabled, brown, white, black, old, and young. She is a compassionate child and loves all of her friends for what is on the inside and honestly I don't even think it occurs to her that outside characteristics should be judged or considered at all. I do not want at her tender age for her to realize that everyone does not think that way. She will be aware of the cruelty and ignorance of our society soon enough.

This post is not directed toward any one individual. There have been several situations that we have been in and several slurs that have been said in our presence over the past several years that have prompted long conversations between Jonathan and I about how to handle this difficult issue. Today, we decided that making our views and preferences about what is said in front of our child very clear in writing is the most appropriate way to get the point across. This sort of talk will not be tolerated in the presence of our child and is quite offensive to us. We also want to make it very clear that next time we are put into a situation in which something inappropriate is said, we will address it immediately by explaining the ignorance behind the comment, joke, story or whatever and how this type of talk is totally unacceptable. We will clarify and educate our child in front of the person who made the slur (if it is appropriate) and she will most probably ask for an explanation from the seemingly respectable adult. She is an inquisitive and compassionate child who wants to understand things. I do not want to squelch this. We would never condone our child being disrespectful toward an adult who deserves respect. However, it this specific situation, the adult would need to be called on the comment.

We realize that this world has changed and that things that were accepted in the past (words, names for groups of people, and even society's view on racism) has evolved. I think that several of the slurs that have been stated in front of us have been out of ignorance and not hate. I like to hope that anyway. However, it is still inappropriate and will not to be tolerated. Hopefully, this post will be read with the love and concern for innocence of a child's kind human nature that we want to preserve. We welcome any discussion about this post, as ignorance can only be addressed by communication and gaining of knowledge. We are not trying to change anyone's views or preferences, just the way people talk in front of our child.