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a slice of life with Miche
Posting as a means to vent into the void.
I've got loving, caring people in my life and am well supported by them.
Venting posts are temporary and will be removed in time.
5 comments:
I think the more important thing would have been, had the wee one heard and internalized it, to have told her that blanket generalizations like that are not what you'd like to hear coming from her. You can't control what other people say, but you CAN make sure that your child knows that there is no real reason for such small-mindedness. That there a great people of all colors and creeds, and to say "all black people", or "all Jews" is not only distasteful and morally wrong, but most always wrong on point as well.
However it happens, I have every confidence that YOUR child won't be one of those kids.
Klee's advice was very good. I have to admit, I have no idea what I would have done or said - if anything. I've often berated myself for not speaking up on issues like this when I should have, but I see the danger in making a big issue of it too - especially in front of Wee Miche.
Sigh.
I would have spoken to a teacher. It's their job to provide a racism-free atmosphere (inasmuch as that's possible) and it's perfectly reasonable to provide them with that kind of information in a polite way, so that they can do their job.
Thanks for the comments everyone!
KLee: Good point. My primary focus needs to be my influence on my daughter. Thankfully, she was too pre-occupied with spinning at the time -- I don't think she heard the comment. I sincerely hope you're right about your last sentence!
Dani: That was the thing. I didn't know the kids and they didn't know me. It could have blown up in my face very quickly, had I said the "wrong" thing.
Mona: Unfortunately, I don't know any of the school teachers as my daughter is only attending the pre-school program. You make an excellent point though. I will tuck that away in the back of my brain should I encounter the situation again!
Of course I'm right! She has great parents who've taught her better! :)
Telling a teacher is a good idea, but by the time your found someone to inform them, you've lost the children who made the offending statements, and there's no way a teacher can go back and guess at who said or did what.
If you feel like you MUST speak out, what I've said before (in response to things like "You're fat!" are as follows:
1.) For young children who DON'T know better, I've said, "Yes, you're right, I am fat. But, you know, sometimes pointing out something like that can hurt people's feelings. You need to be careful that you don't hurt anyone, saying things like that."
and
2.) For older "children" who DO know better: "Yeah, I may be fat, but at least *my* Mama taught me manners."
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