tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post650215491299673950..comments2024-03-27T19:04:31.290-05:00Comments on The Amazing Trips: colorblind and beautifulThe Amazing Tripshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-3985754612714649422008-03-31T00:27:00.000-05:002008-03-31T00:27:00.000-05:00I was 11 when my twin brothers were born. I had a...I was 11 when my twin brothers were born. I had a close friend, Jason (who was black), that loved my baby brothers as much as me. And at church, he would often sit with our family in an effort to help with the kiddos. One day, when the twins were about 4 or 5, one of them stared at Jason for the longest time. He patted Jason's cheek and with a very surprised tone said, "Jason, you're black!" We all got a good laugh out of it, including Jason, but I guess it surprised me that he had never noticed it. Jason helped take care of those kiddos since the first day we took them to church!AWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07976537861843058177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-74722783271788526902008-03-30T16:47:00.000-05:002008-03-30T16:47:00.000-05:00Awww, that made made my eyes leak.... how sweet wa...Awww, that made made my eyes leak.... how sweet was that?Kahlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09062732728748588097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-85236186420780126262008-03-30T15:28:00.000-05:002008-03-30T15:28:00.000-05:00How sweet! I bet that woman is telling that story ...How sweet! I bet that woman is telling that story to everyone she meets. SO cute!Jessica R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-1115797087576168982008-03-30T14:40:00.000-05:002008-03-30T14:40:00.000-05:00Anonymous -I also see your point. I think sometim...Anonymous -<BR/>I also see your point. I think sometimes we bend over backwards to show people that color doesn't matter to us. Again, kids have no problem with this either. When my son and his friend were looking at pictures of a football game he said "Look Cubby, there you are." And Cubby said "That's not me." and my son said "Then who's big black arm is that?" It does seem to me that kids have a balance that most adults don't.HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09260566913424446132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-85030182476461900672008-03-30T12:20:00.000-05:002008-03-30T12:20:00.000-05:00Wonderful post! -JohannaWonderful post! <BR/>-JohannaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-81311503398919040512008-03-30T09:55:00.000-05:002008-03-30T09:55:00.000-05:00I love your way of addressing this issue! And isn...I love your way of addressing this issue! And isn't it great that kid's are oblivious to the differences in skin tone? I remember when I was in 1st grade overhearing my mother mention to someone that my older sister was the only "white" child in her school class. I remember wondering why that mattered enough to mention it. I really think racism is something adults teach children and am grateful my parents did not teach it to me.Nettiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07944075197437870258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-78211678100516254532008-03-30T07:40:00.000-05:002008-03-30T07:40:00.000-05:00Hi there,I'm completely stumbled onto your site by...Hi there,<BR/>I'm completely stumbled onto your site by mistake, but I wanted to thank you for sharing that beautiful story. Your children are so sweet and beautiful, and the way you deal with their "rude" comments is so sweet. I love the idea of saying "Aren't they beautiful?". Amazing!Classy Fab Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657528206098219881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-60112405330093263282008-03-29T22:15:00.000-05:002008-03-29T22:15:00.000-05:00hw - I get what you're saying, and I agree. I thin...hw - I get what you're saying, and I agree. I think it's just the term "colourblind"... it implies that you shouldn't even see the skin colour. It makes it seem like a negative thing. I know that's not what most commenters here are talking about though. I also agree that sometimes people use skin colour as a descriptor purposely in a negative way (like "That black woman cut me off.")<BR/><BR/>And of course I wasn't meaning your son should have said "That black boy." But I've been in situations where adults are trying so hard to be ultra politically correct, that they will do everything they can to pretend that they didn't notice what colour the person's skin was. When really, if there was one white person in a room full of black people, they would have no problem saying, "That white guy." But they are afraid to say, "That black guy."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-48649634555807473092008-03-29T20:38:00.000-05:002008-03-29T20:38:00.000-05:00This is a truly beautiful post!So, have you tried ...This is a truly beautiful post!<BR/>So, have you tried revisiting the Mexican place since last year? I laughed all over again when I reread that post!<BR/>AllieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-17273663764295166712008-03-29T20:12:00.000-05:002008-03-29T20:12:00.000-05:00Anon -I don't think anybody is trying to suggest w...Anon -<BR/>I don't think anybody is trying to suggest we IGNORE skin color or go out of our way to never mention it. But there are times when it simply doesn't matter. Like if you are saying somebody cut you off in traffic, it is not necessary to say "Some Hispanic man cut me off" or "Some Black woman cut me off." That's what I hear a lot - people mentioning race or ethnicity when it really doesn't matter, when it's not to identify a specific person. <BR/>Also, when my first grader didn't mention the color of his friend's skin, I wasn't about to say "You really should have just said 'the Black boy'." What would be the point in that?HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09260566913424446132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-25486529341477384802008-03-29T19:05:00.000-05:002008-03-29T19:05:00.000-05:00Anon: I don't think there is anything wrong with c...Anon: I don't think there is anything wrong with children recognizing that people have various skin colors - or handicaps - or are generally "different" from them. <BR/><BR/>As cliché as it might sound, I hope that they will see the beauty in everyone, regardless of their color, size or shape. <BR/><BR/>I'm very glad that Elizabeth had the response that she did. It certainly beats the last time we were in a similar situation. <BR/><BR/>Here's the link to that post...<BR/>http://amazingtrips.blogspot.com/2007/01/social-graces-or-lack-thereof.htmlThe Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-88953598840540430102008-03-29T17:57:00.000-05:002008-03-29T17:57:00.000-05:00That's really sweet, Jen. So far, by the grace of...That's really sweet, Jen. So far, by the grace of God, I've escaped any LOUD comments from my kids. But I'm going to use this if it happens. Very smooth. I guess my kids have never noticed any differences yet. I never thought about it.Michele Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061520456909635254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-1055882633076583262008-03-29T17:35:00.000-05:002008-03-29T17:35:00.000-05:00Am I the only one that thinks it's not necessary f...Am I the only one that thinks it's not necessary for children to be "colourblind"? We all have different skin colours, just like eye colour, hair colour, disabilities, etc. I don't see the point in purposely pretending to not see it when it's true. If anything ignoring it makes it seem like a bigger deal than it really is. <BR/><BR/>It always makes me laugh when people go out of their way to purposely pretend they don't notice someone's skin colour. Like "Did you see what that guy just did?" "Which guy?" "The one standing on the left side of the room, with black hair, and a green shirt." "That guy?" "No, the one with umm the white shoes... standing next to the lady with the blonde hair..." Instead of just saying, "The black man on the left side of the room!" (I mean when adults do this, not the child mentioned in a previous comment.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-49308812995333869302008-03-29T17:25:00.000-05:002008-03-29T17:25:00.000-05:00What a beautiful post. You should be so proud of ...What a beautiful post. You should be so proud of yourself.<BR/><BR/>Now if only EVERY parent could raise their children to be color and handicapped blind. What a wonderful world it would be.winecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033530470009978632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-15652754301888406682008-03-29T16:09:00.000-05:002008-03-29T16:09:00.000-05:00That is beautitful:) What a sweet girl you have! ...That is beautitful:) What a sweet girl you have! <BR/><BR/>One of the kiddos I care for (I'm a nanny for six, a 6yo, 3yo quads, 1 yo) noticed a man with an eye patch in Target the other week. She nudged her sister and whispered "yook, there's a pirate!" <BR/><BR/>I should have told her he was beautiful,. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-11610290152759969332008-03-29T13:47:00.000-05:002008-03-29T13:47:00.000-05:00Your post is 'bootiful' :*) Put another jewel in y...Your post is 'bootiful' :*) Put another jewel in your tiara. If only everyone taught their children to be so kind.Joy Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746570281283136391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-29045675783731175102008-03-29T13:32:00.000-05:002008-03-29T13:32:00.000-05:00i love your idea of saying, "isn't she/he beautifu...i love your idea of saying, "isn't she/he beautiful." it reinforces the belief that different is just as wonderful. thanks for the good idea. <BR/><BR/>also, i've really been enjoying your posts lately. they are hitting home. thanks for sharing. <BR/><BR/>katiea gracious plentyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06509320249817852620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-63596203071851720842008-03-29T13:11:00.000-05:002008-03-29T13:11:00.000-05:00What great stories.When my son was in first grade ...What great stories.<BR/>When my son was in first grade he was trying to explain to me who "Cubby" was - a boy who would turn into one of his best friends to this day. He said "He's the one who sits two rows over, kinda in the back, he wore a red shirt today." He never once said "He's the Black boy in my class." I was really proud then too, just as you should be of your kids. <BR/>If only all adults could see people through the eyes of a child.HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09260566913424446132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-28286598371248685422008-03-29T12:43:00.000-05:002008-03-29T12:43:00.000-05:00I live in an island inhabited mostly by white peop...I live in an island inhabited mostly by white people (Iceland). I remember THE black guy (and his name) and THE black girl (and her name) of my town when I was growing up. They were the only two in a relatively big town (by our standards). One moved here and got married, the other one was adopted by her parents while living abroad.<BR/>We now have a little more diversity, and there was one latin american and one african american in my son's group in daycare. After at least 2 years of spending 5 days a week with them (one of them his close friend), my boy (at 5-6 years of age) noticed that their eyes were darker than his.<BR/>The skin tone? Still didn't register.<BR/>So we seem to be teaching our kids about differences (like the lady in the park) more than they are noticing them.<BR/>I wonder if it would have been politically less correct if your situation had been reversed:<BR/>No, this baby doesn't look like your brother, bc he is WHITE...<BR/>Hmmm<BR/>GudlaugAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-71691638718058535872008-03-29T12:11:00.000-05:002008-03-29T12:11:00.000-05:00I've been in those situations before and love that...I've been in those situations before and love that idea of telling them people are beautiful. One was an obese black lady (why is she so big!?! mom??!)<BR/>A little girl with an eyepatch (Look mom a pirate)<BR/>Hunched over older lady (Why is she walking bent over!?)<BR/><BR/>That great Elizabeth said that at just the right moment :)<BR/>CristyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-81405747072432842552008-03-29T11:26:00.000-05:002008-03-29T11:26:00.000-05:00I love your idea of whispering "Isn't he/she beaut...I love your idea of whispering "Isn't he/she beautiful?" instead of berating a child for making comments.<BR/>And the story about Elizabeth just brought a tear to my eye.<BR/>-RenoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-51886541205629538602008-03-29T11:11:00.000-05:002008-03-29T11:11:00.000-05:00When my oldest daughter was about three we were in...When my oldest daughter was about three we were in a grocery store. She kept trying to get my attention, but I was in a mental La-La land. After trying to get my attention for a few minutes unsuccessfully, she suddenly burst out, "LOOK MOMMY THAT MAN LOOKS LIKE A PIRATE!". I glanced over and saw a man with a patch on his eye. I wanted to sink through the floor and die. He simply laughed which eased my embarrassment.Susiewearsthepantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02416191781443415275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-28900502903139974162008-03-29T11:04:00.000-05:002008-03-29T11:04:00.000-05:00What a wonderful post...you gave me goosebumps. Gr...What a wonderful post...you gave me goosebumps. Great job teaching your children to see the beauty of all people!Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661273472596331984noreply@blogger.com