Yes

by Robin Landry

Created on: August 12, 2008   Last Updated: December 03, 2009

Should race be taken into consideration when assigning mentors to children?

Successful mentoring really hinges upon the strength of the relationship between the mentor and the protg. But because our racial and cultural backgrounds impact how we relate to others on a personal level, I would have to say, "Yes, race should be taken into consideration when assigning mentors to children." However, I also believe that we must ask a follow-up question as well, "Should race be the primary consideration in assigning mentors?" To that I would emphatically reply, "No, not even close!"

Studies of various types of youth mentoring programs have shown that at-risk youngsters often benefit greatly from developing a positive one-on-one relationship with a caring adult. Improved academic performance and a decreased likelihood of engaging in substance abuse, criminal activity or sexual promiscuity are but a few of the demonstrated benefits resulting from the positive influence of a mentor.

As an African-American I am also keenly aware that young people of color may face additional challenges uniquely tied to racial discrimination and learning to adapt and succeed in a world where they are not members of the dominant group. A same-race mentor will likely have faced similar challenges. As a result, he or she may be able to provide practical solutions to these types of challenges based on personal experiences, which a mentor of a different race would not have had. There is also something to be said for young people of color being exposed to successful people who share their own racial or ethnic background.

However, I do not believe that race should be the only or even the primary consideration in determining whether a mentoring relationship will be successful. The ability to listen, to care, to support and encourage a young person and to do whatever it takes to build a relationship based on trust is far more important than simply "matching" in skin color.

Getting to know the young person on a personal level should be the first step for any serious mentor, whether they share the same racial background with the youngster or not. Understanding the family situation, special challenges the child may be facing academically, the type of neighborhood the young person lives in as well as the youngster's talents, hopes and dreams (or lack thereof) will serve as the foundation for building a successful relationship.

The additional challenge for a mentor of a different race or even a same race mentor from a different socio-economic background is in understanding how racial and economic differences can impact a child's values, self esteem and perceptions about the world. Gaining this understanding may be challenging but is certainly not impossible. The key is to avoid the temptation to view the young person and their racial background through the lens of stereotypes and instead do the work needed to increase our understanding of races and cultures which are different from our own.

How does a prospective mentor accomplish this? Well, how do we learn about anything that we are unfamiliar with but interested in learning more about? We research it. When we are contemplating a career change, a major purchase or even taking a vacation how do we approach it? We search the Internet; go to libraries and bookstores and network with people to find out more about the subject in which we have an interest. There is no reason why a desire to become more knowledgeable about racial and cultural differences could not be approached in much the same way.

Some formal mentoring programs may actually offer "cultural awareness" training and prospective mentors should by all means take advantage of these training opportunities. But there is also much to be gained from more informal "field work" as well.

Books and films presented from racial and cultural perspectives different from our own serve to increase our appreciation for racial differences and can also be used to start conversations with friends and colleagues about race in a non-threatening way. Attending museums, cultural events and religious services can be great ways to develop a better understanding of different racial perspectives.

Not only is the mentor better prepared to relate to his or her young protg, the mentor can actually reap a number of important benefits for himself as well. American society continues to become more and more racially and culturally diverse. The ability to easily adapt to living, working and socializing with people different from ourselves is invaluable. When we take the time to learn about others our own lives are enriched. Cross-race mentoring can be a win-win situation for all involved, as long as we remember that race, while important is not the only characteristic in defining our lives and relationships.

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