‘Two blonde girls at the playground told my daughter she couldn’t play with them because she doesn’t have blonde hair. The girls’ parents did not intervene.’

More Stories like:

“Still processing this, but two days ago, two blonde girls at the playground told my daughter she couldn’t play with them because she doesn’t have blonde hair. The girls’ parents did not intervene. You better believe I did.

On the walk home, my three-year-old and I had a heart-to-heart about race and exclusion. It wasn’t our first time. The first time was when she was two, and she came home from preschool saying that her skin was black, and we talked about how dark skin is beautiful.

Here is the point: parents of color talk about race with our kids all the time. We have no choice. It’s there, everywhere, and we can’t avoid it. I told the blonde kids at the playground that they can’t exclude people. I did it calmly and politely, while their parents watched.

But those parents should have intervened. They should’ve said something. My daughter was watching. Their daughters were watching. White parents: TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT RACE. I know it’s uncomfortable. But the rest of us do it all the time. We need you to do it too.

Advertisement

Also, please don’t tell me that I imagined this. I am a dark-skinned woman who has been on this planet for almost 40 years. I know racism when I see it. And I definitely know it when it happens to my kid.

Here is our kiddo today at the park with my husband, being her resilient self. This girl is not about to let racism steal her joy. I’m not either.”

This story was written by Mathangi Subramanian. Follow her on Twitter here.  Visit her website here.  Do you have a similar experience? We’d like to hear your important journey. Submit your own story here, and subscribe to our best stories in our free newsletter here.

Advertisement

Do you know someone who could benefit from this story? Please SHARE on Facebook or Twitter.

Subscribe to our Living Better newsletter.

Your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence-backed advice, and captivating personal stories propelling you towards a more fulfilling life.

     Share  Tweet
    Logo

    Looks like your ad blocker is on.

    ×

    We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

    Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

    Continue without supporting us

    Choose your Ad Blocker

    • Adblock Plus
    • Adblock
    • Adguard
    • Ad Remover
    • Brave
    • Ghostery
    • uBlock Origin
    • uBlock
    • UltraBlock
    • Other
    1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
    2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
    3. Click refresh
    1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
    2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
    1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
    2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
    1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
    2. Click "Disable on This Website"
    1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
    2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
    1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
    2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
    3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
    4. Refresh the page
    1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
    2. Click on the big, blue power button
    3. Refresh the page
    1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
    2. Click on the big, blue power button
    3. Refresh the page
    1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
    2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
    1. Please disable your Ad Blocker
    2. Disable any DNS blocking tools such as AdGuardDNS or NextDNS

    If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).