Why It's So Important to Teach Kids About Diversity

When the school bell rings this fall, millions of kids will head back to school, bringing together a rich variety of cultures, races and religions. If we believe recent research, the majority of the kids will get along.

“In the last 40 years, our country has made progress on tolerance and diversity, but we have much left to do,” says Myrlie Evers-Williams, activist and widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, one of the first martyrs of the civil rights movement. Evers’ death, by assassination, in 1963 prompted President John Kennedy to ask Congress for a comprehensive civil-rights bill, which President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the following year.

Since then people have indeed become more tolerant, but racial violence continues to be a problem in schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 1999, approximately 36 percent of students in public schools nationwide reported seeing hate-related graffiti on campus; 13.2 percent of students reported being called a hate-related word at school.

Noted psychologist and educator Beverly Daniel Tatum claims that part of the problem is that adults of all races “often hesitate to speak to children about racism for fear they will create problems where none exist.” In an effort to become part of the solution, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and The Allstate Foundation have teamed up to launch “Youth for Unity,” a program that provides young people, ages 11 to 13, with the skills needed to resist gangs and violence.

“Talking to kids about diversity can be tough,” says BGCA President Roxanne Spillett. “Young people ask questions that can make adults squirm, but it's a conversation you can't afford to ignore. Children model their behavior after adults, especially when it comes to treating others with respect and dignity.”

The cornerstone of the “Youth for Unity” initiative is teaching kids to RESPECT ALL.

* Reflect upon your own biases and explore your own feelings about diversity. Begin by examining the messages you received about different kinds of people. Parents must first understand their own biases before they can truly help children confront theirs.

* Establish an early pattern of talking about prejudice with your child. By beginning early, you allow time to develop a healthy communication process. Start with simple questions and straightforward issues. Once you’ve created room for honest dialogue, tackle the tough issues.

* Show respect for your child’s curiosity. According to family experts, creating an open atmosphere where tough issues can be addressed is an important gift parents give their children. Family conversations about tolerance allow children to sort out confusing thoughts and feelings.

* Provide your child with as many positive diversity experiences as possible. Find sports leagues, after-school programs or weekend activities that attract a wide range of people.

* Exemplify positive attitudes about diversity that you want to see in your children. In Hate Hurts, How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice, authors Caryl Stern-LaRosa and Ellen Hofheimer conclude, “How a child learns to deal with differences depends largely on how parents, caregivers and other important adults deal with differences.”

* Create an environment where children can see positive images of diverse groups in non-stereotypical roles. Comment when you see stereotypes on TV or in movies. Let children know it’s not fair to label people.

* Take appropriate action against prejudice and discrimination. Early childhood educator Louise Derman-Sparks notes, “If we teach children to recognize injustice, we must also teach them that people can create positive change by working together.” Demonstrate that you won’t passively accept bigotry.

* Acknowledge that children aren’t colorblind, but are aware of differences. The important thing is the message they receive about those differences. Not talking about it sends the wrong message -- that diversity is a taboo topic.

* Lead by example. Teach your children to be proud of themselves. Research by Glen S. Pace, a noted expert on anti-bias programs for young people, finds that children who feel good about themselves are less likely to view others with distrust.

* Listen respectfully to your children’s questions no matter how difficult they seem. Resist the temptation to “preach.” It’s more useful to develop a child’s critical thinking skills and provide opportunities for independent problem solving.

“Through the creation of this curriculum and the support of Allstate, we can teach millions of young people about the importance of understanding and respecting other,” says Evers-Williams.

“Youth for Unity” will be pilot tested in 15 Boys & Girls Clubs this fall, followed by another 25 sites in 2005. The national rollout will occur during BGCA’s Centennial Year, 2006. A portion of the recent $4.5 million grant provided by The Allstate Foundation will fund this program. For more information, log onto www.bgca.org.

Courtesy ARA Content