Beyond FEATURES: “Talk to Kids About Prejudice” article on Tolerance.org

My son recently mentioned the term “black humor,” which led to a brief exchange regarding similar terms in which “black” carries negative connotations. We talked about what a black person might think when he hears a reference to “black humor” or when someone with extremely limited gardening skills tells him she has a “black thumb.” “Black Monday” refers to the largest one-day decline in recorded stock market history in October 1987 as well as to the catastrophic October 1929 stock market crash at the start of the Great Depression. None of these terms puts a positive spin on blackness.

Tolerance.org features a recent article on a similar subject by parenting columnist Dana Williams: “Talk to Kids About Prejudice.” Williams offers some terrific advice and emphasizes the importance of open communication regarding touchy subjects like prejudice (or potentially offensive terms). Whether you’re worried your child may be subject to prejudice or may inadvertently step on someone’s toes (the child in Williams’ article suffers through both, actually), check out this piece for a refresher on how to get the conversation going and keep it on track. Talking about racism on a regular basis can make a huge difference. As Williams notes, “If more people found ways to examine their day-to-day interactions and honestly discuss race issues, our nation would be healthier and more tolerant for it.”