So, I know you’re probably thinking it’s not Sunday and that’s the day that I usually write the Sunday Family Dinner blog. But, the idea behind the blog is to encourage everyone to go back to having family dinners where everyone sat at the table with no electronic devices and talk. I have been having a difficult time with topic of this particular blog and it is something that has been stirring within me the last few days.
We are at another precarious place in the history of this country where hatred and racist ideologies are being promoted to the point of endangering the lives of citizens of this country. I don’t want to focus too much on Donald Trump and the hatred and racism he is spreading. I think overly focusing on him is what got us into this mess in the first place.
Instead, I want to ask each of you what are you telling your children about race, diversity, and difference? Are you telling them the truth about how some groups have been marginalized and oppressed because of the color of their skin, the language they speak, or their socioeconomic status? Are you telling them the truth about how some people in this country are gunned down, systematically kept from being able to build lasting wealth for their families, or misrepresented in the media and society because of the color of their skin? Are you telling them the truth about how their ancestors immigrated from other countries in search of a better life? Because the reality is, unless your ancestors were living in this country prior to 1492, they were immigrants as well.
I am more focused on spreading love and talking about acceptance and inclusion of one another, than focusing on disputing anything Donald Trump has said. Again, I think the over focus on Donald Trump is what has given him the momentum to continue to spread this hatred and division. The reality is that we need one another for this country to thrive and prosper. We need all of our various gifts, talents, and different view points. We can disagree without it turning into another Civil War. This country is only great when we respect and acknowledge the different gifts that each of us brings and allow everyone to have a fair and equal opportunity to build wealth and provide for their families.
So, I ask you again, what are you telling your children about race, diversity, and difference? And if you are not talking to your children about these things, I encourage you to start and be honest with them about how we got to this place in our country and by all means do not place the blame on one group or stereotype groups that are different from you.
Let’s leave this country and world a much more loving, kind, accepting, and better place for our children than what it is now.
Creating Lifestyles for Success,
Dr. Daphne
Dr. Daphne King 