One of your responsibilities as a healthy parent in your child's life is to capitalize on your child's innocence for as long as possible, while also adapting real-world concepts to their age. It's about introducing it in an orderly way. Method. With this in mind, some parents may find it more urgent to introduce concepts such as race and racism. Because I feel that this knowledge will help me protect myself.
In an interview with AARP, filmmaker Tyler revealed that Perry is not yet interested in discussing racing with her 7-year-old son Aman.
"I don't want to say that some people judge him because of the color of his skin, because he goes to all races of school now and these kids are all , because it is in its purest form,” he says. "When he describes his friends, he never defines them by race. So the moment he loses his innocence will be a very sad day for me."
I I applaud Tyler Perry for exercising discretion on the topic of race. Because even adults misrepresent and misunderstand the importance of race in American life today.
Part of the problem is that too many parents discuss race in the worst possible light, creating a sense of paranoia in their children that can manifest in an inferiority complex, which can lead to in the role of the continual victim of American society.
We were about the same age. All white people are racist and can never be trusted. unforgettable words. I don't believe this was deliberately explained to corrupt my innocence, but to put me on a higher alert that could lead to emotionally or physically protecting me.
But the problem was that it was illogical compared to my surroundings, which caused more confusion than conviction. At the time, I lived in a predominantly white neighborhood, attended a predominantly white school, and most of my friends were white. I was never uncomfortable with my race or being black, but I was presented with a new narrative that was confusing because it didn't match reality.
I knew black and white good and bad guys, so it didn't make sense to tie morality to skin color, especially when their behavior was otherwise indicated. And I didn't like the idea of looking at my white friends negatively. Nevertheless, the damage was done and I now felt pressured to follow this new narrative. was accused of being passive-aggressive for not caring about their complexion... Interacting with them.
For many years I resented having to live with the unhappy realities of others. And while it felt like a reality for people from the distant past, it wasn't from my current self. I didn't understand why racial hatred had risen higher than other forms of hatred, and why living without fear of white people didn't make me a real black person.
Today, I understand that many of these conversations are rooted in previous generations of trauma and may not be aware of how they convey paranoia rather than consciousness. Their racial framing comes from a disgusted sense of the inevitability of racism. They believe such racism is prevalent, based on personal past experience, and it remains a filter from viewing current progress.
Should parents ask themselves what are the social benefits of injecting racial dialogue into a child as young as 7-year-old Aman? but any discussion of race implies a context that is not beneficial to them or even understandable. Teachingthat it will never get better perpetuates the cycle of distrust.
Parents have the discretion to do what is best for their children, but they continue the legacy of presenting blackness as a negative experience and transferring personal trauma to their children.
The victim's spirit is transferable, and proper protection of children means stopping the vicious cycle.
Adam B. Coleman is the author of "Black Victim to Black Victor" and founder of Wrong Speak Publishing.
