May 22, 2010

Yes , we can...but we won't...

CNN conducted a new study about race: the researchers concluded that both Caucasian and African-American children are still as biased towards lighter skin as they were in the 1940's. Um...duh?! Did we really need a study to confirm what we already know?

Why did people automatically assume that an African-American president would compel racism to cease to exist? So after hundreds of years of slavery, the Unprejudiced/No Racism Fairy would magically appear, wave her wand and sprinkle fairy dust, causing all bigotry, intolerance, and self-hatred to miraculously disappear? If you believe that, I have an island in New York City for sale.

Now back to the study. Of course it reiterated what most people already know, but one part that stood out was a statement made by child psychologist Margaret Beale Spencer:

"Parents have to reframe what children experience ... basically reframing messages that children get from society."

That, my dear readers, is the reason why there is so much hate in this world. I understand that she is referring to African-American families, but just think about it: if parents took the time to replace, instead of reinforcing the negativity taught to their children, the human race could finally take initiative and head towards utopia, a.k.a. world peace!

When parents neglect that vital aspect in a child's upbringing, the child must rely on their friends and media for edification. That's basically the blind leading the blind. Does this world really need anymore light-skinned, light-eyed, blond, stick figures? We come in all different colors and sizes for a reason. Instead of ostracizing people who are different, why not embrace nationality? This has all been said millions of times before, but so many people are neither listening to nor hearing what is being said.

Since I don't have children, I rarely give advice to parents, but when I do it is usually to remind them to teach their children self-love. Kudos to the parents who realize that self-image and self-esteem inter-depend with every decision that will be made by their children in the future.

I could go into a rant, but I'm reserving my energy for short-term goals, like battling this sinus cold. Do you have anything to add? I'm listening!

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