Self-check

[tamago23]

A few days ago I was on the bus with Connor and there was an empty seat beside me. A little girl, probably six years old, sat beside me and asked about Connor, so I told her his name and age. She then said, "Does he have a Daddy?" in this longing way that told me pretty clearly that she herself did not have a dad. I said, "Yes," and she asked where

Comments

[gentlemaitresse]

Stereotypes exist for a reason. The biggest problem is when the stereotypes don't change when the reason no longer exists.

[kettunainen]

Yeah, I tried writing a response to this but the brain isn't working right at the moment. suffice it to say that it sucks that we all have this racist baggage to work through, but it's awesome that we're trying to work through it. I love seeing this sort of dialogue because there's Just So Much to sort out! We'll get there eventually. The fact that you're able to identify such thoughts now for what they are is a huge step in the right direction, even though it's embarrassing to possess the thoughts in the first place.

I need to write a post on my use of the word 'cute' as related to people who possess certain bone structure. THAT'S an embarrassing one for me.

*hugs*

[flmeluvr]

1.in my city, most of the kids don't have daddies, they all live with their grandparents, so I didn't think any sort of color.

2.color and culture descriptors are compleatly valid, it helps to add details to the story. I realize you figured out the reason for yours was racist, but it doesn't always have to be. (i.e. your asian comment)

3. I think the fact that you caught it and are contemplating it is a vast improvement on previous generations, and I think that's the best we can hope for in our age group. our parents said it out loud, we think it, hopefully it will be removed from our kids. That's how I see it anyway.