I was recently watching a movie whilst babysitting two
neighborhood children. The seven year old girl was sitting on my lap through
the duration of the movie, quietly voicing her opinions and predictions of the
outcome of the movie. Still in the beginning, before all characters were
developed, an African American character was introduced. She hadn’t even said
her first line before the seven year old on my lap says, “She’s evil!” I
pondered her comment for a moment then asked her, “Why do you say she’s evil?”
The optimistic side of me hoped she would tell me that she had seen the movie
prior to this occasion and had simply known how the movie would end, unlike me.
Sadly, the response I received was not what I wanted to hear. “She’s evil
because she has dark skin.” The little girl then went on to repeatedly comment
of the character’s wickedness whenever she made an appearance in a scene. Her
response was a simplified version of what I would expect an elderly person who
still refuses to accept tolerance to say. The fact that this comment came from
a seven year old, the future of this world, actually baffled me. I thought that
acceptance and tolerance is something being taught on a regular basis to today’s
youth. I thought that society was progressing towards a more equal, accepting
attitude. If this one seven year old girl has this kind of mind set, there must
be thousands of little boys and girls like her with the same attitude. This oppressing
attitude is causing two steps backward for every step forward towards tolerance.
Those who have the most influence in children’s lives, including teachers,
relatives, and especially parents, have the responsibility to start teaching
ways of kindness and acceptance. I believe it is important that this issue was
brought to my attention. I can only hope that more people like me can realize the
problem, for it is the only way to find a solution. I hope when given the
opportunity, you will take the responsibility to teach young people ways of
peace and kindness so they know of no other way to live. It is the only way of
eternal peace.
