My 10-year-old niece, who is white (as am I), was telling me a story of something that happened to her, and referred to someone in the story as “a man who had dark skin.” I waited until she was done, and then asked her why she referred to that man as having dark skin instead of just saying that he was black. She said that she felt bad referring to someone as black, because she didn’t want anyone to think she was racist. She also wasn’t sure if he was African-American, and Islander, etc., and wanted to make sure she got it right – she wasn’t sure what to say at all, or if she should just leave that detail out. It opened up a conversation between the two of us, and she shared some very thoughtful ideas and concerns. This is something that gave me hope because this 10-year-old was willing to have that conversation with me about her fears, and her willingness and desire to be racially equitable. Also, the fact that she is even thinking about this gives me hope that she and her siblings will grow up in a more open environment than I did. That is absolutely a step in the right direction. I encouraged her to talk to her teachers, classmates of all backgrounds, and the rest of her family, and continue the conversation.
