by Todd Pheifer

Created on: January 26, 2009   Last Updated: February 03, 2009

Progress...but farther to go

Society has made great strides when it comes to racial harmony and reconciliation. Still, there remain aspects of racial strife and historical hurts can run very deep. Unfortunately, some parents choose to teach their children racial attitudes from past generations, despite a need for ongoing societal dialogue. Parents may struggle with how to teach their children how to understand the racial landscape of the world. Here are a few thoughts on techniques for teaching.

Understanding diversity

Before parents can teach their children, they must understand the complexities of "diversity" in the world today. Racial identify can be sufficiently complicated because on the one hand people should be treated equally without being identified by their race. At the same time, plenty of people take pride in their heritage and background. Therefore, we live in a world that is a bit of a paradox. We must treat people the same, and yet we must respect their individuality. Into this world we must introduce our children.

Allowing community to work

Sometimes teaching children about the world is helped by allowing some aspects of it to develop. For example, kids sometimes do a better job of getting along than adults do. It may be too cliche to say they are "colorblind", but they do display the ability to live in community. As mentioned, racism is often passed deliberately or unconsciously from generation to generation. Perhaps children of today and the future can teach adults something about how to live in racial harmony.

Explaining life

Parents do have to tell their children some details about life. Inevitably, there will be situations that arise and they can't all be brushed aside. In those situations, parents have to do their best to explain context, history, and opposing viewpoints. Sometimes the concepts may be a bit complex for younger children, but this is one of challenges of parenting that must be faced.

Teaching history

Another way to discuss racial differences is through history. It may be difficult for children to grasp the depth and breadth of history and what it means, particularly when some aspects of cultural relativism have changed so drastically. However, it is always helpful to read through history and discuss where we have come as a people. Then, younger generations are less prone to repeat the mistakes made by older generations. Too often people repeat mistakes because they simply do not realize that things have been done differently in the

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