To me, this image exemplifies the innocence of youth. A brother and sister, enjoying the cool caress of water from the fountain as it trickles through their hands. They are not preoccupied by their school studies. They are not stressed out about getting into the right college or having the perfect career. They are not comparing the square footage of their house to their neighbor’s. I suspect that they are not even aware that the world is in turmoil. They are simply enjoying being a child.
There continues to be debate as to whether children are truly born a blank slate or if their development is predetermined by genetics. The reality is that child development is guided to some extent by both. However, there is growing evidence that confirms that attitudes toward race begin to develop at roughly the age of the children in this photo. More importantly, those attitudes are influenced primarily by their environment. In short, racism, or the lack thereof, begins at home.
There is incredible hope in this understanding. We are not predisposed to hate someone due to the color of their skin. If we raise our children to respect difference, we can in fact displace bigotry.
We find ourselves in a desperate race to find a vaccine to eliminate the scourge of COVID-19. The world has tasked all of its smartest people and employed its most sophisticated resources to develop an antidote to this viral curse. So why can’t we do the same to eliminate prejudice?
If we look to our leaders to help solve our problem with racism, I am afraid the vaccine will take even more generations to develop. It is like asking the oil producers to develop a zero emissions vehicle. They have too much at stake to effect change. When our politicians fuel bias and prejudice to build a base of support, do you really think that they will show respect for all citizens?
The beauty of our situation is that we already know the solution. We need to teach our children to respect themselves and the differences in others. If we do not take action, our children will learn that inaction is acceptable. Much like the COVID virus, I do not think that any of us can tolerate a second, and potentially more catastrophic, wave of bigotry.
