You see, every year I have a hard time articulating the depths of racism that was rampant in his lifetime in a way that a 5-6 year old can understand. How can you explain that hatred? That ignorance? That cruelty? How do you do it tactfully, accurately, and appropriately (and without nasty parent emails)?
Then I see the faces of my kids as I struggle through difficult waters.
Shock.
Awe.
Confusion.
Disgust.
Hurt.
...and it warms my heart.
With tears in their eyes, they whisper "but that's not right" with such confusion that it encourages me. It seems so clear.
My kinders cannot fathom a world that existed just 60 years ago. They cannot fathom discrimination. Their little minds don't have room for the idea of racism. Of making someone to be LESS just because of skin color.
They may be 5 years old, but they know more than many adults do.
Martin Luther King Jr made my classroom possible: "I have a dream that one day right here in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers"
So what are we doing wrong?
Injustice still occurs. Racism still occurs. I believe that we are still so broken that we carry prejudices based on skin color.
But I believe that this is LEARNED.
-- parents, what are you teaching?
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