I think the difference with little children is that too often, people who aren't parents may be unfamiliar with how little kids brains work and perceive things. You can't talk to a two year old and expect them to understand things like adults would understand those things. Especially abstract concepts. They are tiny, new people who have no basis, no foundation for discussions like racism. In some cases, they're not even good at sharing yet when there's treats for everyone. Parents are more likely to be familiar with how little kids learn and experience things.
And children are resilient to a degree, but fear and adrenalin affects their little brains a great deal more and for longer than those do to adults.
On the other hand, we adults have often moved to new locations, felt that sense of instability and uncertainty, or had problems of our own with the law or know someone who did, or thought through the ramifications of such difficulties .....so we all have some at least vague idea that we can base a discussion on.
Well, yesterday was quite a day.
There was some strange compartmentalization that was going only yesterday. In this thread, there is suggestion that childless couples - for whatever reason - really shouldn't have a say, or should have it demeaned, because you know, a full adult human couldn't possibly understand the brain of a two year old. And then, in an immigration thread, there was a suggestion that if you're not American, you shouldn't have an opinion on US policy regarding the issue. Sounds like a good way to shut out ideas, especially ones you may not like, to me. It's also a little odd when it comes to a seniors forum. All of us here have a lifetime that's been trundling on for some time. You never know, we might have learned things, even contrary things.
But it also talks to me of - can't attack the argument, so attack the messenger. If I don't like something someone has posted, I'll either pass it by, or reply. If I reply, I reply to the points made, not the personal themself. Let's be honest, none of us truly know anyone on here, but we can assume the vast majority are only here to share things.
In my initial post in this thread I posed the following questions:
When is it too young to teach about racism?
At two years of age, what is the best way to tackle such a topic?
What methods are most effective in teaching the young about this insidious problem?
The answer seems to be - Shhhhh don't mention it. Pretend it's not an issue until they're old enough to know when they've been discriminated against, or indeed, when you're discriminating.
