How I want my kids to see it

There is always the issue of discrimination. It is everywhere and it isn't quiet. I read a few days ago about people who were talking about the 'issue' of homosexuality. People discussing the need to keep our children blind to the differences. I saw somewhere else that someone said that the way to get rid of racism is to stop talking about it. Everyone has their own opinions about it and they are such big issues that even my husband and I can keep the convos to something small.

I will explain what I mean.

The other day when he and I were on the train on the way home from college, I bought up the subject of how I believe we should approach the subject if discrimination with our children. We have never actually discussed it, but we have always approached it the same. Our conversation didn't stop there, it quickly spread to how society as a whole should approach the subject of discrimination. But do you know what? I can't change the world, all I can do is change (or try to change) the way my children see the world and react to the world and act in the world.

I completely understand where those people are coming from, "keep our children blind to the differences" and "stop talking about it" may help, but I honestly do think that is the wrong way to go about it. You see, I think our children should be taught that people are different. In almost every way, people are different. 

Some people have dark skin and some have light, some are gay, some straight, some bi, some seriously tall and some seriously short, some have physical disabilities and some have mental ones. And all these people experience the world in a different way. We all have different backgrounds, different histories, different voices. But it's not just the big obvious things that make people different.

Some people are brilliant at maths, some science, some drawing, some talking, some painting. Some people are great at giving instructions and some are great at following them. Some people like to read a book in their spare time and some people like to play sports.

Each and every one of us is different in so so many ways. But as far as I am concerned, this is not something to shy from, it's not something to hide or be ashamed of. It, all of IT, is something to celebrate! Throw a damn party and shout "I'M DIFFERENT!!". Because these differences are what makes us all special. If we turned around and all told our children that we are all the same what would that achieve? 

Children are not born with the ability to hate or judge. Hate is an emotion learnt. Judgment is also learnt. Let's teach our children to love! We need to teach them to love themselves and to love those around them. To celebrate not just who they are but who others are too. Teach them that our friends don't need to be 'the same' as us, they don't need to like the same things, be the same colour or have the same backgrounds. In fact, the more diverse a group of friends they have, the better. So much can be learnt from people who are not 'the same'. 

My children know there are differences, and that they are not bad. And it is amazing. It is amazing that my beautiful children will tell you that a man can love a man, and a woman can love a woman, and not batter an eye, not see anything wrong with that, but there are adults who have such a huge problem with it. If that is you, then ask yourself who taught you to think that way? My children have friends with skin different to theirs, and my Izzy will tell you that people with dark skin have beautiful skin. And they know that there is nothing 'wrong' with people who have disabilities. That they are people too, people who deserve respect and friends and love too. And they are usually lovely people who can give so much back.

I'm going to continue to educate my children on the differences. And I am going to do my best to make sure that they believe 100% that all humans deserve respect and love and should be proud of who they are. Because they should.

I may not be able to do much to make the world a better place for my children. But will do all I can to  make my children better people for the world.