This (Saturday) morning I was watching the author of 'The Race Card', a law professor at Stanford University deliver a presentation his book.

Basically, he was saying charges of 'playing the race card' are often wrongly applied.

Near the very end, a woman who ran 'self-esteem focused' community program him how he would suggest this all be discussed with young children, e.g. grades 4th thru 6th.

He had no answer that was clearly appropriate for the age group.

My fist response was that you don't.
\
But, clearly someone has to.

Ideally, the issue would be addressed by the parents.

It is evident that this has not happened in the instance of this woman's experience.

This is, indeed, a task that should be resolved by parents.

My answer is that race per se should not be discussed with this age group.

I believe strongly that, since this to be addressed by an outside professional, the subject should be...identity.

Yes resolution should be made as to 'who' you are rather than 'what' you are.

All discussion about either 'race', or 'color' leaves the issue of 'who' you are unanswered.

To have such a discussion with our children is to continue the failure taught to us those who wish less-than-good for us.

This continuing unanswered question remains unanswered not because there is no answer, but rather because we, the parents, in most cases fail to acknowledge the need.

In some cases, many case, we the parents refuse to acknowledge the need.

Even when those of us who acknowledge the need, we concludes there is no viable answer.

And we all know that is not true.

PEACE

Jim Chester

I'll tell ya, JWC ...

I've been wrestling with this question for about the last 2 years, now.

I just don't know.

The fact of the matter is that today's youth don't see race being much of a big factor. Certainly not on anything close to the same level that we do. They think we are perpetuating negativity by holding on to and trying to pass down the issue/factor of race into their living their daily lives.

Maybe they are right. The lesson has been to move on to something more ... *unifying* ... less *divisive*. Maybe their way is the only way to get there. If that is the case, then we shouldn't teach the young(er) ones to deal with it our way. Maybe their way will accomplish the goal.

Ours has not, as yet.

But ... they don't know that. Do they?

I cannot fathom *race* not being an issue in this country - ever. Always has been, and I can see no reason or proof of how that can change - ever. But, what if I'm wrong? What if the youngun's are wrong? They will be set back generations.

If we should be teaching our kids about race, then I think 4th to 6th grade would be a good time to start ... the earlier they start to inherit their sense of pride the better.

But, maybe we should just let it alone .. let the chips fall where they may. They may fall correctly.

Again ... I just don't know.

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
Maybe they are right. The lesson has been to move on to something more ... *unifying* ... less *divisive*. Maybe their way is the only way to get there. If that is the case, then we shouldn't teach the young(er) ones to deal with it our way. Maybe their way will accomplish the goal.

The problem as I see it is that what is viewed as "unifying" almost always seems to be "unifying" on someone else's terms.

Today's black youth seem to want to "get along".

But if that's the case, with whom are they getting along?

It doesn't seem that it with one another.

I think I'm beginning to agree more with JWC.

The focus shouldn't be on "race" ... because even discussing race, it is through the prism of relating to someone else. "Black" implies "white" somewhere in the equation.

We need to be discussing who we are instead.

We have got to be the only people on this planet who place a priority on getting along with other people not ourselves ... and at the same time not take care of shit that actually belongs to us.

That strikes me as an advanced case of stupidity.

JMHO of course.

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:

Today's black youth seem to want to "get along".

But if that's the case, with whom are they getting along?

It doesn't seem that it with one another.

They are getting along with "everybody (else)".

There are so many different kinds of people here now. Much more than there used to be. And the young folks today are thrust together in more ways than one. Many of them are products of interracial relationships and date interracially themselves. There is a different kind of *togetherness* in this society today and so today's youth don't see race in the same way we used to/do. They don't have to. 'Cause things aren't the way that they were before.

However, we are NOT at the point of "all things being equal." Race IS a factor. It's *factored* into everything we do and that is done to/for us. For Black people, it automatically puts us at the bottom of society's totem pole.

So, can they really just *get along* and overcome the obstacles created by those race factors because they don't believe they are important anymore? Will that work?

And to your other point:

quote:

We have got to be the only people on this planet who place a priority on getting along with other people not ourselves ... and at the same time not take care of shit that actually belongs to us.

That strikes me as an advanced case of stupidity.

JMHO of course.

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more.

I agree that we should teach our children about who they are as individuals...and I would assert that we also need to teach them who they are as Black People.

This premise was so very important to me when my son had to deal with a "race" issue several years ago. I hated that he had to experience what he did and we immediately began to talk about race.

He sees examples of race every day...he sees how people use it and abuse it and he sees how people are proud of it as well.

Black will always be an issue in this country...I don't care what anybody says. HowEver, I don't allow how other people treat "Black" to be an excuse for my son to be negative about race either. Nor do I use it as my excuse because every race has something of value.

As far as being FOR US, yes, I'm all for us. I've noticed that I try to be around US more and more as I consider the things I buy, the services I use, the places I frequent, etc. I just know that only time changes and I've noticed a lot of things that I watched my parents notice back in the day. So I prefer to be in the company of "my own" while I deal with being around "others" daily.

The other day I actually considered whether or not I would consider my self as prejudiced one day, given that I prefer to be around my own more and more. For instance, SistaSouljah brought up the premise that she used to be solely into dating Black Men but ended up dating a non-Black Man. I considered that I used to be open to the possibility of dating outside of my "race," but am no longer open to that possibility given that I love Black Men and love seeing and dealing with Black Children.

My son has been seeing a difference in certain constructs here as well and I am grateful that he can UnderStand some things with regards to race and "other people's kids"...even at seven years old.

"Wisdom Is A Woman Who Knows US!"

To first answer the question (from MY perspective...)

'How do we discuss race with our children?'

WE tell Them the Truth.

The national dept. of 'education' is a sorry suitor to the standard bearing of the truth as, WE do not exist there, therefore the educational system in this country (often better referred to by the Lion's Share of OUR Greatest Black Scholars as a system of 'indoctrination' rather than 'education' at all....) is an already failed quest for OUR People to have been forced to entrust OUR Greatest Legacy...OUR Children.

Ultimately, no different than home-schooling, the burden of 'truth' falls upon US to instill clarity of thought and purpose in OUR Children regarding Their identity in a world in which They are not welcome.

Otherwise, the dept. of 'education' in this country will simply proceed to re-enforce it's prefabricated doctrines such as christopher columbus discovered amerikkka and the rainbow curriculum where sally has two moms and billy has two dads but that's alright to teach to kindergarten.

No, beyond the basic reading writing and arithmetic, for OUR Children, the dept. of 'education' has a designation of zero worth...in truth.

Viewed through the lens of this society, the only recourse to the truth for OUR Children regarding race is from home.

MY 2cents.



ROARIN.........

Viewed through the lens of this society, the only recourse to the truth for OUR Children regarding race is from home.---roarin1

I am choosing to begin here, because I was afraid you were going to get lost in the mental gymnastics of avoiding the '800-lb' gorilla.

Then...you went 'home'.

We are the backbone of our children's identity.

We cannot leave this task to 'others'.

It is no longer true that 'We don't know.'

We do know.

We know that our 'color' is not who we are.

We wrestle with it..., but...we know.

That we don't tell our children what we know is more than simply irresponsible.

It is abandonment.

We are leaving our children defenseless...to fend for themselves...in a society that is intent on their failure...their imprisonment...and frequently their death.

That is endangering our children...knowingly.

There are some of us who truly don't know.

The number is getting smaller...fast.

There is a small, and decreasing number of adults who simply cannot recover from the abuse of the intergenerational bondage has been...and is still being...passed on in our families, and our society like a religion.

We have to first come to grips with what identity is not.

Then we have to 'live it' for our children.

Someone once said 'teach your children the way they should go....'.

When someone asks, 'Have you had THAT discussion with your kids yet?' we just know they are talking about 'the birds and the bees'...sex.

Our question has to be, 'Have you had that discussion with yourself yet?'

The answer you arrive at is the answer for your children.

Your children are who you say you are.

PEACE

Jim Chester

quote:

Originally posted by roarin1:
To first answer the question (from MY perspective...)

'How do we discuss race with our children?'

WE tell Them the Truth.

Absolutely!

In addition, I dont think its just how we discuss race, but how we deal with race and identity in general.

I have always made it a point to balance the default perspective in this society. So I make sure that there are plenty of black films, books, artists, people in my home and in my environment. That way my son sees himself more in the everyday grind. I also dont pretend to act like I dont know what I know (meaning) twice as good and twice as smart still applies. Race in this country is what it is and from day one I have spoken to him about it... whether its been through playing chess, talking about the design of DC where we live (who designed it and what its based on), we talk about "hidden" racism, etc... I have also taught him the Supreme Mathematics as way to evaluate his surroundings and any given situation (racial or otherwise). I have just been totally upfront and real with him about this aspect of life. (he will be 13 in august)

thabrothaman69:

Your aggressive, and direct approach is impressive.

Two things occur to me.

When teaching 'race' and 'color', the language of the 'system' is the only language we have to deal with it.

Alternatively; When teaching identity the teacher must choose language to present the new system which will define him/her, and the child.

It takes a little more preparation...,but the reward is gigantic!!

This was a great problem for me, because when I came into the awareness of what was happening, my youngest child...had a child.

I spent a very long time defining the problem..., and then defining myself.

My greatness challenge was differentiating 'what' I am from 'who' I am.

All told, I was at that task for over two years....arguing with myself.

Discussing it with those others who could tolerate such discussion.

I have some very good friends...who listen.

Even when they were not sure what I was doing, or where I was going.

And some asked.

Anyway...

Those are just two things that come to mind.

PEACE

Jim Chester

I suppose Brutha CHESTER, I began to formulate MY observations after having read that a 'woman related her concerns from an educational' perspective, before I had read YOUR entire response where, I realized YOU and I were saying a lot of the same things.

(Forgive MY zeal....)

But as YOU know, racism is bigger than education and ultimately, 'separate.'

Because the MEN in MY Family are 'tight,' never hurts.

Example.

Each year WE host a Family 'MENS Meeting' (OUR Women are not even allowed) headed by the Eldest Member, in pursuit of the Family 'Crest and Quest,' to determine the clarity of purpose to every MALE Son in OUR Circle, by focusing on OUR Hisstory.

Over the years, this has proven to be a huge benefit. Not everyone has this luxury however, WE stress that OUR Sons share as much information as is possible, amongst any of Their peer-group whom may be interested.

(Also, any 'holes' that I may miss with MY four Sons, hopefully the 'Quest' has filled them up and this is how WE ALL must feel.)

Now, I couldn't conceive of life in any other manner. After all, OUR People are up against too much. MY ultimate goal is that OUR Entire 'Universal Family' will someday celebrate OUR Family Crest and Quest as proud Afrikans.

And THAT is how WE discuss 'racism' with OUR Yunguns.....'it is the WHITE mans burden,' not OURS.


HETEPU


ROARIN.......

And THAT is how WE discuss 'racism' with OUR Yunguns.....'it is the WHITE mans burden,' not OURS.---roarin1

I get it.

It is often forgotten that the primary task of African American living in America is to survive.

The first job is to survive...today.

How you get it done is less important than getting it done...at no one else's expense of course.

And when it gets right down to the 'nitty'.....

PEACE

Jim Chester

This message has been edited. Last edited by: James Wesley Chester,

African Americans for African America
http://iaanh2.org


African American
Pledge of Unity

We stand, Together, after left alone in a land we never knew. We Bind ourselves, Together, with the blood and will of Those who have gone before. From the Bodies of our Ancestors thrown away, from the Pieces of Ourselves left to perish, We rise as One, a New Body in a New Land, a New People in a New Nation. Of Common Mind, Body, and Spirit, By Declaration of our Amalgamated Individual and Personal Authorities, We Are African America.

© James Wesley Chester 2004; 2008

You are who you say you are. Your children are who you say you are.