Ask New Demographic: Why it’s naive to think mixed children will eradicate racism
CVK & JC
Our November New Demographic newsletter features a double-dose of advice. The second question we address comes from a parent who thinks of his mixed children as cultural bridge builders, and believes that more conmingling of races will lead to the eradication of racism. Check out our answer here:
Q: I am the white father of two mixed adolescents, and I know how important it is to ensure that they grow up with a healthy self-esteem. When I am out with my interracial family, we definitely elicit stares and comments (we live in a mostly white town), so I am extra sensitive to provide my children with a positive sense of self. I tell them that they are “bridge builders” and that they will be the ones to rid our world of hate. This kind of racism that we face as a family will eventually go away as my children and other mixed children grow up and teach the rest of our society that racism is wrong. I tell my children that they are the best of both worlds. Do you think these messages are the right ones for my children? Do you have any other suggestions?
jb wrote:
I believe it is in children that we plant our hopes and dreams for the future. I think where you thought the father was too fantastical in his answers, you were way too clinical. I’d love to see you spew out all that information to a child and then see the blank look on their face staring back at you. You’ll be telling them about building bridges, too. I am mixed and almost in my thirties and while I have enjoyed this site in the past, your answer left me questioning your agenda.
Posted 16 Nov 2005 at 6:47 pm ¶
LSDReflux wrote:
Mixing can actually stratify, not erase racism. Look at highly-mixed societies like India and Brazil/Latin America - which have formed sliding-scale caste systems.
All mixing does is entrench whatever racial attitudes exist or led to the mixing. If they were more towards racial equality, that will be entrenched. If they were more based upon stereotypes then those will be entrenched (as evidenced by media portrayals and skewed IR dating patterns).
So, mixing is no magic bullet, and can even worsen a bad situation.
Posted 23 Nov 2005 at 1:49 pm ¶