This post has been featured at The So Called Me.
Growing up I went to predominantly African American schools. I wasn’t taught much about diversity and different cultures, just racism and segregation year after year. Of course this had some effect on how I perceived other races. I developed schemas based on textbooks, television, and my surroundings. Although we were taught Martin Luther King’s dream multiple times in school, it didn’t have much affect on me because there was no uniting races when the school made up one race. I wasn’t exposed to diversity early on so I didn’t know how to interact once exposed later in life. Of course I was always taught to treat others with respect but the subject of diversity never really popped up. I remember entering high school, it was a predominantly African American high school but there was a noticeable percentage of Caucasian students as well. At first interacting with each other was a little awkward, making sure we didn’t say anything to offend each other. I remember at a band gathering having a conversation with a group of people of different races; “no offense” was used quite a few times. Nothing said was offensive, “no offense” was just said to be courteous just in case someone did take offense, I suppose. It just tickles me now thinking about it because we didn’t know how to act around each other. This was due to the lack of exposure and proper knowledge of other races and cultures.
It is important to start teaching children early about diversity. While it is important to teach your children to embrace their culture it is also important to teach them about the cultures of other people. It will help them better understand why some people do the things that he or she may not do, why, and to certainly not be afraid of them because of it. The key is to help your children become well rounded individuals because the real world is one gigantic melting pot.
There are a handful of stores that are devoted to promoting multicultural products for children. Regionz Kidz is a great place to pick up products to help teach your children diversity and unity. At Regionz Kidz you can find SUPER CUTE culturally diverse t-shirts for infants, toddlers, and mommies! Regionz Kidz’s t-shirts feature amazing sketches of babies in different regions all over the world. There are over 104 designs to choose from. You can even have a custom sketch of your child designed! In addition to t-shirts, Regionz Kidz offers books and games as well! Some useful articles and resources can be found on the Regionz Kidz blog and free coloring sheets can be found here! Regionz Kidz was founded last year and has gotten off to a great start! I look forward to seeing what the future brings!
JT’s tee from Regionz Kidz! Isn’t it the cutest?
{ 4 comments }
I feel very lucky to have grown up in Philadelphia. With the exception of a private Catholic school I went to in third and fourth grade, I went to school with, sat and learned in classes with, ate lunch with and played with African American students. I’d say the makeup of the schools I went to was roughly 50/50. I thought nothing of my white friends and black friends. There was no race. Just friendships… or lack thereof.
Now I live in a rural area about 70 miles southwest of Philadelphia. The middle school I attended for eighth grade was predominantly white. I honestly do not recall a single African American student, though I did know two Asian girls. The high school wasn’t much better – I’d say eight or nine African American students in my entire graduating class (600, I believe).
Anyway, I don’t know what the point of this long comment is, except to say that I feel extremely lucky to have had the diverse upbringing that I did.
And awesome clothes!
Jenn’s last blog post..Counterfeit
I understand where you are going with your comment and I’m glad that you shared! Alyssa and Ryan would look super cute in one of these tees *hint hint* lol.
where i came from, racism is not that a big a deal. but there are a lot of other kinds of segregation that kids deal with here, as our culture is pretty much a mix of everything.
what i really wanted to say is, what a cute shirt! i’m sure it’ll look great on your baby!
hope the rest of pregnancy goes well.
mommyontop’s last blog post..Medela FreeStyle™
My parents moved the family to South Florida when I was 6. We left behind a strong Korean community in Baltimore and found very few Asian people in general.
Being the different looking kid, I was naturally a target. Being Asian, I was also expected to be a straight-A student, computer whiz, violin or piano virtuoso, and general goody-two-shoes. I was none of those things.
Now that I have a daughter who is an Asian-Caucasian mix, diversity takes a priority spot on our curriculum!
Elliott – 21st Century Dad’s last blog post..Dad Gets a Job
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