| Don Imus' ridicules remarks directed at | | | | terrorist and illegal alien as an |
| the Rutgers University women's | | | | example of 'code words'. |
| basketball team coupled with the Korean | | | | Has terrorist become a 'code' word for |
| government's concern that the horrific | | | | people of Arab decent that hides |
| actions of a Korean-American at Virginia | | | | anti-Arab sentiments? |
| Tech would spark backlash against | | | | Illegal aliens simply don't exist. There |
| Koreans has put racism on the front | | | | are people living in the United States |
| line. These unfortunate events forced us | | | | that don't have the proper documentation |
| all to face the state of racism and its | | | | to enter the US. But they themselves are |
| repercussions for our children. | | | | not illegal. How can people be illegal? |
| We are now forced to: | | | | Today's illegal aliens are likely to be |
| - Relinquish the fantasy that racism | | | | from Mexico which begs the question of |
| doesn't exist or it's 'better' than it | | | | what are we truly worried about-the |
| used to be. | | | | legal or racial implications of our |
| - Recognize that racism has serious | | | | immigration policies? It wouldn't be the |
| consequences. | | | | first time that racialist sentiments |
| - Admit that if we can't raise our | | | | have been masked in legalities. |
| children without biases and racist | | | | Step 3: Focus on the end result. |
| attitudes then we are limiting their | | | | Racism can only exist where there is |
| potential. | | | | ignorance and fear. Examine your values |
| This really is good news. Now we can | | | | and beliefs when you consider those who |
| start unlearning our bad habits of | | | | are different from you. Then educate |
| racism and bias. | | | | yourself where need be and demonstrate |
| Racism is a habit. It's something we | | | | your willingness to learn and explore |
| learned. And what can be learned can | | | | different cultures, races and religions |
| also be unlearned. It takes time, effort | | | | to your children. |
| and commitment. But, it is do-able. | | | | If you can replace your biases and |
| Experts believe that it takes as long as | | | | prejudices with facts, your children |
| 30 days to break a simple habit like the | | | | will garner real intercultural |
| order your put your shoes on in the | | | | competence. And, only then will they be |
| morning. So unlearning your racism | | | | armed to face the 21st century with |
| habits may take some work. Don't expect | | | | confidence. You will be arming them with |
| overnight results. Take things | | | | one of the most important tools for |
| step-by-step and day-by-day-starting | | | | their success in the world. |
| now. Here's how… | | | | Step 4: Don't just stand there-do |
| 4 Steps to Unlearning Racism & Raising | | | | something. |
| Confident Children in the 21st Century: | | | | If you hear a racist joke, ask the |
| Step 1: Take the power out of racism. | | | | jokester to 'cease and desist'. If a |
| Talk about it openly. | | | | high profile person crosses the line, |
| We actually talk about race all the | | | | then write a letter or make a phone |
| time, but we do it in code. Much of our | | | | call. Make a commitment to examine your |
| discussions about everyday | | | | own 'isms' and stop them or your |
| life-politics, education, welfare, taxes | | | | children's sake if not your own. |
| and even movies, entertainers, sports | | | | Admit that you can be wrong about people |
| and neighborhood happenings have racial | | | | and live the possibility that you can |
| underpinnings. Racism, like any 'ism' | | | | make the world more tolerant, more |
| gets more power when we don't talk about | | | | accepting, and more respectful. Give |
| it openly. First, admit that racism | | | | your children a major key to success-the |
| exists in today's society as recent | | | | focus on humankind and not just "our own |
| events clearly demonstrate. Then we can | | | | kind." |
| make the issue less scary by getting | | | | No one is born with racism. It is a |
| racism out of its closet and talking | | | | learned set of beliefs and values, which |
| about it openly. | | | | believe it or not can be unlearned. It |
| Step 2: Decode the 'codes' of racism | | | | is up to all of us to make sure that our |
| To take the emotion and power out of | | | | children don't become a poster child for |
| racism, we have to understand what we | | | | racism when they inherit the world. |
| are really saying. Consider the words | | | | |