You might have already seen it, but I just read this fascinating article from Newsweek about how kids as young as 6 months recognize racial differences. It started me thinking about how I want to discuss racism with E as he grows up. There are a lot of things I like about living in Utah but the latent racism that pops up fairly often is not one of them.
The area where I live in Utah is predominately white and because my features are kind of ethnically ambiguous a lot of people tend me lump me in with the majority. And as a result they sometimes let down their guard and say some pretty racist things in front of me. A couple of times I’ve had the presence of mind to call them on it but more often than not I’m just completely flabbergasted. I’ve also heard some pretty crazy stories from friends and family.
Anyway, I would recommend reading the article if you have time.
{Found via Harlow’s Monkey}
I would like to know what kinds of things people have said. I don't remember hearing anything when I lived there, but I probably was not really sensitive to it either. Plus I just don't think I ever discussed the topic.
I don't think some people have much of a guard to let down. I've been told some pretty nasty stuff right to my face.
Marissa, the things I hear usually run along the lines of complaints about how a professional black woman only got promoted because she's a minority and mean remarks about Hispanic landscapers and "the way they are."
But I've heard stories from friends like how when they toured a prospective preschool for their child the headmaster kept warning them that "our school is VERY patriotic. The students have to say the pledge of allegiance every day and we do a lot of activities celebrating America. If you have a problem with that you should know up front."
My friends are Korean-American and black, which apparently signified to the headmaster that they weren't really American. I don't think it would have crossed his mind to mention things like that to white parents.
Wow, that's just nutso. I remember working a summer job with a girl who was Native American, and she had been a convert to the church, no longer active. She said that when her family attended their ward, the Bishop came up to them and let them know about the Native American ward. They felt like they weren't welcome because of it. I thought it was so sad. I'm sure the Bishop had no idea what message he was sending to these people. I think a lot of people are just clueless when they make potentially offensive statements. You should educate them!
Ha ha, I was just wondering because I've heard so many people say that if someone opposes some of President Obama's philosophies and decisions, they are just racist. I realize that there are some racists out there that oppose him for just that reason, but it bothers me that it's such a common accusation, and often untrue.