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19 January 2009

The Kindergarten Mind

I love to witness the learning process of a child. Ella is feeling very empowered these days with all of her kindergarten knowledge and emerging reading skills. The innocence is very refreshing.
Tonight she initiated conversation about MLK. She began telling me all about the things he had done to "get rid of bad laws". She talked how black people and white people were treated differently and knew all about Rosa Parks. I explained why it was important that we treat all people with love and respect.
After several minutes of dialogue, she asked, "Mommy, are we white people?"
I stuttered at first... surprised at the question. So I responded, "Yes, we are white... did you think we were black?"
Ella says, "No. (pause) I always thought I was tan. I always thought that white people would be white."

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