My 6-year-old just had his first encounter with racism
I know many people go through a cycle of guilt because they question what could they have done to avoid the situation because they believe they can do just the right actions to prevent the problem in the first place. Having faith, resolve and hope do much to keep you moving forward.
A short while ago, my little boy told me something that shattered my world. I had been preparing breakfast for him, watching the early morning sunlight dappling his head, bent in concentration over the card he was busy making. Our companiable hush was only broken when he enquired how to spell "because," and then, several minutes later, "people." I looked over his shoulder -- the carefully inscribed message was poignant but full of kindness.
"Who's that for?" I asked. My son explained that it was for twins, one of whom had announced that they didn't want to sit next to him because they "don't like boys with brown skin." (The other thought it was rubbish.) At near 7 years old, he had just met racism for the first time.
Over the days and weeks that followed this revelation, I would find myself buffeted by a whirlwind of emotions, one after the other; an experience much akin, I now realize, to going through the seven stages of grief.
I know many people go through a cycle of guilt because they question what could they have done to avoid the situation because they believe they can do just the right actions to prevent the problem in the first place. Having faith, resolve and hope do much to keep you moving forward.