My sister in law was adopted by a very loving European American couple. She looks like she is either Native American or Hispanic, she is not sure. Her parents informed her that she was adopted at a young age; however she never knew that she was not white until a certain incident occurred at around age 7yrs. Her parents and she moved to a new neighborhood and all the children in the neighborhood began to say to her “you look like Rosita, you look like Rosita”. She was puzzled and trying to figure out who was Rosita, until one day she was sitting down looking at TV and noticed a commercial about a bean lady named Rosita who looked had dark hair like hers. All she knew at this age of 7yrs old is that they were saying she looked liked the bean lady. It didn’t make her feel good. Being the only child in her family, her coping mechanism was retaliating and using name calling, along with acting like their name calling didn’t bother her. She also said that she dealt with feelings of isolation. In dealing with this isolation she began to find herself hanging around minorities and people who looked more like her and this helped her to develop a stronger sense of self.
It is sad to say that racism comes out such a young age and can affect the way children see themselves. I read a very disturbing story of a little eight year old girl who is a citizen of South Africa who was talking to nightline of her experience of being black; she commented “White people are better than black people. Whites know more, have more, and get more. I wish I was white but I am not." This how she coped with the stressor of racism by embracing self depreciation, this article was written twenty years ago, I wonder where and who that little girl is now.
Beswich, R. (1990). Racism in American Schools. ERIC Digest Series Number EA 49
Gloria,
ReplyDeleteYes, racism does begin at a very young age. It is so disheartening when children do things to hurt their peers. I do believe that some have no idea what they are really doing but there are some that do those things to make themselves feel good.
If only we could all see each other as human beings and not judge one another based on skin color. Since your Sister in law talked with you about this I trust that she now has a strong sense of self.
Gloria,
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad story, and unfortunately, racism does happen at such a young age. I think the little statements that aren’t flat out bigotry, have the worst influence, as they cause such emotional trauma and self doubt. It is such a shame, as the United States is now called a mixed salad, which should mean all the ingredients together compliment the dish.
Sondi
Gloria, I must tell you I really enjoyed your blog. It is heartbreaking to know that children spew out racism at an early age. However, I really do not fault the child but their parents or whomever they are surrounded by. Children learn and begin to think it is natural and that everyone dislikes a particular group. Sometimes, as a child becomes an adult the actions are still carried out because they continue to shelter themselves from the real world and their own opinions. That article that you mentioned is very distressing. I think the problem once again goes back to the media. Due to the fact that certain races are put on a pedestal and shown in a certain light can brainwash a person. White people are good, black people are bad. Between the media and also that certain races can be their own worse enemy, putting themselves down has a lot of weight on how children think. Once again loved your blog.
ReplyDeleteGloria,
ReplyDeleteIt is a heartbreaking post but it really speaks to how some children are being raised. I feel that parents need to teach their children how to behave. Last class I talked about my young cousin who was a victim of shaken baby. She has some physical and mental issues because of that horrible event in her young life. I was teaching vacation bible school this past year and my husband's nephew went with me. He didn't know anything about my little cousin. I saw him snickering and laughing at her. On the way home that night I told him all about her and why she is the way she is. I actually had him in tears. He was so sorry he laughed and made fun of her. I reminded him that maybe next time he sees someone who is different to talk to them and find out thier story before he makes fun of them. Since then he has shown more compassion towards others at least when I'm around. I guess I was the first person to really sit him down and talk about topics like that with him.