Our son sat down with me at bedtime. He brought me two books, and showed me two images of cross burning by the KKK. One was a book on Ruby Bridges and the other a book on the African American experience in America.
I hope that you consider carefully what goes along around you, You may not have thought about, understand, or have the language to adequately discuss issues of race, but that doesn't mean you can't learn to address it, no matter what your generation. Also stop using reverse-racism as an argument. I have heard it a lot lately, but prejudice without power is not racism. If you don't see racism around you, perhaps you might want to pay closer attention. I hope that if you do notice it, that you reflect upon it and take action to stop it, discuss it with your children, neighbors, coworkers, etc... However, it is equally important that we stop seeing it as something that we can check off, or get a pat on the back for doing. Just because my son's skin color is darker than mine, doesn't give me a pass. I must make the effort and challenge my own upbringing, privileges, and take steps to change for the better. It takes a lifetime of unlearning, re-learning, making mistakes, getting up and dusting ourselves off, to become better at addressing these issues. However, every step helps, and collectively it is important to engage in the effort to make the world a better place. PS - While the focus of my words are on issues of race, it is equally important for us to consider other forms of oppression that influence our society (LGBT, Gender, Religion, Ability, Mental Health, etc....) and especially the unique areas where they interact.
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John P. Sauter, Jr. Ph.D.
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