Race Relations: Children


Figure 1.--Some argue that children do not notice race. This is simply untrue. Children are very observant and notice all aspects of physical appearance. Children notice all kinds of phyical differences among people and some of gthose differences are race based. What children do not know is what importance to attribute to racial differences. Here we see American children, probably in thelate 1930s. The photograph was taken in Brooklyn, New York, probably in Brownsville/East New York Brooklyn. During the late 1930s and early 40s was an ethnically diverse neighborhood--Italians, African-Americans and Jews. Today it is mostly African-American. Many famous Americans came from this neighborhood including Danny Kaye, Phil Silvers, Alfred Kazin, and the "principals" of Murder Inc. Hopefully these kids have had successful lives.

Some argue that children do not notice race. This is simply untrue. Children are very observant and notice all aspects of physical appearance. I got in trouble once when vary young for loudly asking my dad, "Daddy, why is that man so fat?" Children notice all kinds of phyical differences among people and some of gthose differences are race based. What children do not know is what importance to attribute to racial differences. Here the "South Pacific" song, "You have to be taught" rather much summs up what happens. While children anf youths can be unconcerned about race they can also be very racist depending on just what they are taught. This is in part because they have limited experiences and education to offset racist teachings. Here it should not be assumed that children are overtly taught racist ideas. Some cues they pick up without being taught. The 4-year old daughter of a friend suddenly announced that she doesn't like blacks. They are still trying to sort out where she picked up such thoughts.








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Created: 3:13 AM 4/4/2006
Last updated: 3:13 AM 4/4/2006