What effect do you believe racial acts in the news are having on teens?
“I think it is showing teens (at least in Nashville) that nooses are not a joking matter. It is making young people stop and think about their actions, and it is having many to pause and examine how [those actions] can cause division on all sides.”
Genma, parent of two sons, 16 and 17, Nashville TN
“These incidents have resurfaced the reality that there are still people in this country that aren’t tolerable of other races. I believe all the violence and discrimination that have taken place have the potential to create division between youth of different racial backgrounds.”
Leslie, 18
“Most people think [racism] ended after Martin Luther King Jr. and when discrimination was outlawed. It hasn’t ended; there are still people in the world that hate anyone who is different. I think teens are coming together and making the statement, ‘We’re different, but we’re still friends… why can’t you be friends too?”
Lisamarie, 13, Wellmington MA
“To be honest, my friends and I don’t pay much attention to the news [about racial incidents]. And if anyone does know about it… it doesn’t really affect us.”
Brandon, 17
How do you believe tolerance is best taught?
“We teach tolerance mostly by our actions... This means we don’t call drivers idiots, we show gratitude to the grocery store clerk, and we refrain from gossip… We teach our kids that every human being has the essence of God/Love inside.”
Angie Milhous, mother of girl, 15, St. Charles, MO
“If the parents are prejudiced, then it’s likely the teen will be too. Of course, our friends have some role in it, but for the most part, I believe teens learn tolerance or racism by their parents’ example.”
Alexa, 17, Houston TX
“Tolerance may be taught by the parents, but I believe what a person goes through outside of the home counts too. Because I have had bad dealings with a particular race, I have bad feelings about them. It has nothing to do with my parents. I’m my own person and have my own thoughts.”
Damon, 18
Expert Assessment
“Parents need to be the role model. As the saying goes, ‘Action speaks louder than words.’ Trying to “hide” any prejudices you have won’t work. Teens (and other children) are likely to pick up on attitudes even in the absence of explicit racial remarks. It is not enough to just tell your kids to be respectful if you’re not living that yourself. Ask yourself:
Do I use respectful language for different races or cultural, ethnic, religious groups?
Do I have friends who are from different groups and backgrounds?
What am I doing as far as exposing my kids to differences in books they read, the movies and restaurants I take them to, the cultural events we attend?
Jed Forrester 01/07/08
Almost everyone interviewed for this article says they are horrified by racism. But it seems pretty theoretical – we all know racism is bad. But if we really believed that, why would these recent incidents have happened? I think the reason people hate and fear anyone who looks or acts different is that they don’t know them personally. Once you make friends with someone, work with them on the job, go to school with them, you start to change your mind. At least, that’s what I believe.
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