Mommy Talk Show Candid Conversation with a TV Mom
A.J.’s experience growing up in Atlanta has been filled with amazing adventures. We’ve visited Disney on Ice at Phillips Arena, Olympic Centennial Park, the Atlanta History Center, the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta to name a few. Everywhere we go our son sees diversity – people who look like him and people who don’t. His love of languages was sparked earlier this year when he noticed Chinese letters on a prehistoric display at the Atlanta airport.
As amazing as these experiences have been, I know he won’t stay three years old forever. He won’t always been surrounded by people who think he’s cute. Some day someone will see him and cross to the other side of the street because of the color of his skin.
We’ve also visited Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, raised and preached. I’d like to take him back there. I’ll share with A.J. how his grandparents lived through the civil rights era. They had to overcome discrimination that we couldn’t imagine.
Even at his age, A.J. has overheard conversations about race and discrimination on the news. I did my best to brush it off and only say as much as a toddler could understand what’s fair and what’s not. When the time comes, my husband and I will have to sit down and explain to him that people will say and do hurtful things to him because of his color. I pray that he makes the best decisions to ignore their ignorance and forgive.
You may recall I shared my story about how I chose to overcome challenges in my TV career because of race. My favorite professor, Lillian Dunlap continues to inspire me with her passion and professionalism. If you have overcome a challenge in your life, share your story with the When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It’ campaign and sweepstakes.
Pine-Sol® Sweepstakes
– Once a week for 12 weeks, one lucky winner will get a flower bouquet and Pine-Sol® coupons.
– Three first prize winners will receive complimentary house cleaning services for a year.
– One grand prize winner will be awarded an all-inclusive trip to enjoy a peaceful spa at a deluxe hotel.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the makers of Pine-Sol® products. I have partnered with them to spread the word about the ‘When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It’ campaign and sweepstakes. To enter the sweepstakes, visit www.womenRiseAboveIt.com. All opinions and stories are my own .
This is a cute post because AJ is so cute!! LOL!! But seriously, AJ has been exposed to many things other 3 years old could only dream of. I hope I can do the same for Emory as he grows as well. It’s shame about what he might experience because of skin color, but thankful you are able to share your family’s previous experience. We Rise Above It!
I have tried so hard to raise my children to be tolerant of all races, religions, sexual orientation, etc but there are so many people out there who don’t. Children learn what they are taught and I wish more parents would make it a point to approach this topic with their kids. Wonderful campaign and thanks for sharing it!
We’ve done the same with A. We’ve taught her from the beginning that all people were equal and to be respected, with no regard to gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
I have read a lot about this campaign and I think that it a fabulous one!
i have truly been blessed that my family is so culturally diverse. It has really helped me teach my kids about love for all races, because they see their cousins and don’t see their skin color, only someone they love. I was so irate with a 1st grade teacher in my son’s old school who said to him one day, “who is that little black girl you talk to?” I kid you not; that is what they said. I was so mad. My son seriously didn’t know what they were talking about because he didn’t even realize she had a different color of skin. But after that day, he realized she did. But I was so proud that to him it didn’t’ matter. And i hope all my kids can grow up with that love. I hope your little AJ can find other kids who can see him for just how amazing he is, and not be only liked or disliked because of what he looks like.
It’s so important for parents to raise their children to be tolerant… I applaud you for raising such a loving and tolerant child, who won’t let other people’s ignorance ever get him down.
I have mixed race children and I do my best to teach them tolerance and acceptance and the challenges they may face because of it. To my eldest at least now. It’s great what you are doing with AJ.
Having mixed race children, I try my best to teach them equality and the challenges they may face growing up. It’s awesome what you’re teaching AJ.
Having mixed race children, I do my best to teach them equality and about what they may face in the future. Great things you are teaching AJ.
Living in Atlanta is an amazing experience. There is so much diversity here. There are times when my girls are the minority….and I love it! Life is about way more than skin color. Love knows no bounds!
I am so pleased that we live in the “big city” (although, yes, we are very suburban) because our kids do have so many opportunities. We can fly anywhere, watch professional sports, see big-time shows, and enjoy so many quality family attractions. I also love that Amelia’s school is diverse. I didn’t have much of that growing up in East Tennessee, until maybe high school. Amelia’s kindergarten class has all colors and sizes – and she is “the” girl in glasses! She sees differences but they are just a normal way of life – nothing to even think twice about. I like that.
What a wonderful mission as a mom. This is another reason we travel….I want my kiddos to understand that everyone loves, hurts, and desires…just like they do. Our motto for almost everything in life is “Replace Judgement with Curiosity” When they do this, I know I’ve succeeded.
We worry about these same things. Our son just turned 5 and has many wonderful life experiences, but life is still under the shield of mommy and daddy. I know the day will come and my prayers are that we have prepared him with the gift of acceptance of all, bravery to stand up, and love. Oooh, I like the sound of that.
Wish I could keep my daughter at the tender age of two and protect her from cruelty or racism. I can do one thing though–teach her about history and how to embrace her heritage with pride. That way, she can fight back with wisdom and not with her fists!
This is a great story. I actually dread my kids experiencing discrimination. I hope they never do.