“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” –Fred Rogers⁣⁣⁣
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So how will I teach my kids, who are mixed, about race? ⁣
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With honesty. I’ll share my story. I will tell them what’s not acceptable for someone to say & teach them how to educate back. We’re going to talk. ⁣⁣⁣
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I didn’t have those tools growing up. I kept so much to myself. I never want my boys to feel like that. I don’t want them to “just let things roll off” their back.⁣
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I will tell teach them how to forgive those who never say they’re sorry. ⁣⁣
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Something I have learned is that forgiveness is for you, not the other person. Without forgiveness it’s like you are locking someone up in a jail cell where you’re the prison guard. You’re both trapped together. ⁣⁣⁣
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I will show them the beauty in humanity—how to look for & become helpers. ⁣
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I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know all the hurt. But I see 2 sets of brown eyes staring at me everyday full of hope. I will do everything in my power to keep that hope alive. ⁣⁣⁣
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They, our children, are our hope. Let’s be the helpers they need to see.