Almost everyone has their own sets of prejudices about other races. Some scientists have said that racism is “hardwired” into the brain, while other studies have found the contrary—there is nothing natural about racism.
No matter what you believe, if you traced back your lineage and found out about where you came from, would you still hold on to your prejudices?
That’s the question a group of 67 people from all over the world had to contend with in an exercise conducted by Momondo. In a video that has gone viral, the 67 participants were asked about their national identity, and the prejudices they have against certain cultures.
The group was then asked to give a sample of their DNA, and two weeks later, were asked to return for their results. The experience was—to say the least—quite emotional.
“In a way, we’re all kind of cousins”
“This should be compulsory,” one woman said. “There would be no such thing as extremism in the world if people knew their heritage like that. Who would be stupid enough to thing of such a thing as a pure race?”
“There would be no such thing as extremism in the world if people knew their heritage”
“In a way, we’re all kind of cousins,” Brad Argent of AncestryDNA explained. Argent meant that literally as well, because he and his team found out that two of the participants were distant cousins.
On the next page: How to talk to your child about racism
Racism and stereotyping damages societies and creates fractures in relationships. It is up to parents to make sure that they raise their children to be accepting of other cultures and races. Here are some tips on talking to children about racism from BabyCenter.
DO: Expose your child to people of all races
If your neighborhood or your child’s school isn’t particularly diverse, you can expose her to different races through books, TV shows, and cultural events. If you can afford it, take your child traveling as well to experience foreign cultures first-hand.
DO: Go straight to the point
When your child has questions about race, it’s best to stick to the facts and be direct. Answer just the questions asked and don’t go into the complex ideas of race as your child might not be able to fully grasp the nuances.
DO: Supervise the media your child consumes and discuss it with her
Always supervise your child when she’s watching TV or reading newspapers. The media can communicate stereotypes and oversimplified images of race that even adults can be susceptible to believing, so when you observe racial stereotypes, challenge them.
DON’T: Overreact
At one point or another, your child will probably say something wildly offensive that will make your jaw drop. Don’t ignore it or shush her. Instead, see it as a teaching moment. If she offends someone with her words, ask her to apologize then have the discussion later on in privacy. Always keep in mind that your child is still learning.
DON’T: Label people
Defining people by their race can be a slippery slope. If your child observes you or other adults referring to people by their race (e.g. “that Chinese lady” “that white man”), you might be sending a message that judging a person by their group is ok.
DON’T: Aim for “color blindness”
Saying things like “I don’t see color, I see people” is not helpful, and it’s disingenuous. The world is full of different people from different cultures and races, and this should be celebrated, not ignored. Instead of teaching your child to ignore race, teach them that it’s ok to be different.
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