The colors of the Rainbow

I often wonder how many people in my neighborhood really understand, let alone care, what multi-culturalism is. I may not love the house we are in right now. Ok, I am pretty close to hating it, but I do love our neighborhood. Our little town is a square mile - not big at all. Even though it's small, we have 2 elementary schools. But the nice thing about having the 2 elementary schools is that the class sizes are small. At least for my daughter's school, the average class size is around 16 kids. It's easier for a teacher to give a child more one-on-one time. As a parent it's also easy to get acquainted with other parents. We may not always be in the same cliques, but for the most part we all get along. Another thing about where I live is that everything is within walking distance. I really enjoy that when it's not winter. We can walk to the park, the pool, the library, the grocery store... everywhere! And there are sidewalks so we're not walking in the street.

Now back to my point...


With there being fewer kids in our district compared to those surrounding us, you also notice the kids more. There are not a lot of kids from other ethnicities in our district. To be quite frank, I know of a lot of close-minded people around here, and it's not like that's a well guarded secret or anything. I sometimes think that if you're not white, this is not the first place you would look for a house. I, for one, was raised to see others for who they are instead of what they look like. I always say that I don't care if your skin is purple and you have one eye. If we get along, great! I also try to raise my kids to think this way. GG also learned to see others for who they are back in the day care days.


When GG first started at this day care, she was a year and a half. She continued to go there until Kindergarten and then for one summer after. I give the teachers a lot of credit for preparing her for Kindergarten and also teaching other life lessons. Unfortunately that was not the case once
Little Dude came along. The day care went downhill and I eventually quit my job (I worked there when they attended) and pulled them out.

But I am very glad GG was there and did not grow up solely in our district. This day care was located downtown. GG, being blond haired and blue eyed, was a minority there. She never seemed to notice that she looked different than most of the other kids there. I, as a parent, took great pride in that. This realization further sunk in a year or so ago. GG and I were watching a tv program about the Queen of England. She was having some sort of fancy dinner. Her guest was the King of an African country. My apologies for not remembering which at the moment. The King was dressed in clothes from his country - loud patterns with many, many bright colors. GG asked who "that man" was. Not sure who she was referring to because there was a roomful of people, I asked her who. She said, "That one." Still not sure, I asked, "Do you mean the black man?", wondering if she knew what that meant. Her response... "Which one is that?" When I asked if she meant the man in the colorful outfit, she knew who I was talking about and that was who she was asking about.


It just blows me away that she doesn't see people for what they look like on the outside. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do try to teach my kids too see others for who they are, but sometimes you're not sure if your messages are really sinking in with them.


I'm glad to know that these messages are sticking with my children.



Until next time....

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Woohoo mama. Basing an opinion based of another's skin color annoys the tarnation out of me. Skin color is 1/16 of our outside layer, everything else works the same in everyone. I am so glad you are teaching your kids better.. I wish more did.

Kel said...

I hope you have a great week!

Kmama said...

That is very cool. We recently had a discussion about people that look different than us with Buddy. For right now, he sees everyone as the same as well.

Your town sounds awesome, in terms of walking distance to everything. I would love that!

The Mommyologist said...

Isn't it so amazing how kids are so pure and good? It is too bad that adults can't all be that way too! I am taking this post to heart and making sure that I pay attention and instill these values into my son!

Aurora said...

Hi there, stopping by from SITS. I applaud you for raising your children to see and know the person and not make judgements on appearance. You cannot believe how many people upon first meeting me think i do not speak english and immediately speak to me in spanish or treat me differently bcause in their eyes im most likely an illegal immigrant (i was born here in U.S.). Our mayor does not help. Keep up the great job with your kids!

Adoption of Jane said...

Good job Evonne, you should pat yourself on the back :) GG sounds like a great kid!

Not Everyones Mama said...

Good job mom!!! I was raised in a town like yours, but luckily I was also raised knowing the fact that we are all the same. In my little town there was 1 African American family, 1 Mexican family (my best friend), and 1 Korean girl in my class.

Now, in that same town where my kids go to school, there are so many people of so many different ethnic backgrounds, in wonderful to see! And my kids are just like yours. They better be, considering that 3 of them are 1/2 hispanic because my husband is from Mexico. LOL

I had to comment on Aurora's comment too about people speaking Spanish to her. My best friend is hispanic, her dad's family is from Mexico. When we go out somewhere where there are Mexican waiters they always speak to her in Spanish, though she doesn't speak a word of it. When I answer for her and explain she doesn't speak Spanish - in Spanish, they just about fall over. LOL

Anonymous said...

color is just color...nothing to do with the person....great views, thanx for sharring

Shell said...

You are doing a fabulous job at instilling those values into your kids!

Corine (@ComplicatedMama) said...

Kids are really great about not judging when raised the right way-- and it does appear you are doing a marvelous job my dear! :)

Keep up the good work ;)

Anonymous said...

Isn't it wonderful that kids are beginning to be more open minded and not care about skin color?!

Hopefully they will keep this through their adolecence.

supahmommy- somethin's wrong with that girl said...

If only we all saw the world through their eyes huh?
xoxo
supah