As the mother of biracial children who chooses to live in the “redder” places, I have a simple solution that has worked — learn to not be offended by racial remarks and jokes (HCN, 12/8/08).
If met without anger, bigotry has a way of melting under patient persistence. At least most change their outlook, and the ones who choose to maintain their slanted ethnic views will not be changed by your offended retaliation. So there is no point in bothering yourself with it. And you can’t “judge the child for the father’s sins.” My children have found friendship amongst the children of some of the persistent bigots. Children will stray from their parent’s slanted direction.
Kym
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Sticks and stones.
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