Culture Diversity....More important than any Basketball Game

[Netboy Extraordinaire]

Culture Diversity. People may ask what is it? Diversity of Cultures, Black, White, Hispanic, French, Italian and the one that touches my home more than others is NEPALESE. You see there is something way more important than any Basketball Game, any Fish, any other recreation or sport, Culture Diversity. Those that don't believe that Cultures should Diversify or that Cultures should live under the same flag, in the same country or even in the same household are called RACIST. I say this because I have seen it happen to other people I know and have experienced it first hand with my own son. I am 44 years old and can deal with it. My son is 8 years old and had his first 2 experiences with racism this week at school. After his school had Culture Diversity week where each kid in the school had to make a billboard about his/her family and heritage, 2 boys decided it would be fun to call my son names. First they called him a Black Mexican at lunch on Monday. My son is not confrontational, he gets that from his mother, but don't mistake his kindness for weakness because I have seen him take hits on the football and soccer field that other kids would still be on the ground crying but he gets up and goes right on. My son told my wife about the lunchroom incident on the way to school the next morning and my wife went in and spoke to his teacher. She addressed it with the 2 Boys to which they said it would not happen again. Both boys were punished ever so slightly but it did not fix the problem. The next day, one of the boys decided to poke my son in the back as he was getting a drink from the water fountain and told him to move his "fat mexican butt". One thing is for sure for any of you that has seen my son, fat is no where near what describes him. Try athletic to the point that he is developed in his biceps and abs and can already do a push up. My son went and sat down in his seat and did not tell the teacher. You see my son would rather get called a name and deal with it instead of telling on someone and getting them in trouble, again, my wife's influence. That day I picked him up from school and he told me what happened. We had a long talk about taking up for himself. I told him the next day I would talk to the teacher and principal and he was not to do anything that day but after that, he had my full backing to knock the living crap out of either of these 2 boys if they called him a name.

The next morning I met with the principal and his teacher and told them what had happened. I alsu fully understand the school's rules about kids not fighting and also know my son will get in trouble at school if he hits another kid. But I also know if my son does not stand up for himself then for the next 10 years of being in class with these kids that it could only get worse. I met with my son and again told him to do nothing that day and let the teacher and principal again address this issue. That day, the second boy had to have his parents come to school and the subject was addressed again. After the meeting, the boy did come and appologize to my son but it still took those measures to get him to do that. My son, mind you he is 8 years old, has been asking questions like why do people care if somebody is a different color, why can't people just get along, why did these boys call me this ........ I will tell you why, because parents don't raise their children properly. Am I a perfect parent, NO, but am I involved in my son's daily life to where I help him with his homework EVERY day and my wife reads with him EVERY night. We are both involved with his sports. We are both involved to the point that we agreed to adopt OUR SON from Nepal. He has been physically in this country since he was 4 months old, which is kind of ironic in that he is 6 months older than one of the two boys so technically he has physically been in this country longer than him.

Will my son stand up for himself, YES. Will he give others the benefit of the doubt and even go so far as to try and avoid confrontation if possible, YES. But, let it happen again and he will also have no problem knocking the dog snot out of the next person that calls him names when they are not deserved. Will it ever change, who knows? Until the adults in this world take it upon themselves to treat EVERYONE, no matter of color, as if we are equal things won't change. It would be nice to know that this was the last time my son would face this issue but we all know it is not. It would be nice to know that his kids won't face these issues, but we all know it won't.

When will it be that 8 year old kids don't see color and just see 8 year old kids?

[GeoFisher]

Well said my friend..........

[DJD]

Well I went through this exact same thing when I was in elementary school with my mom being Japanese. My dad told me to handle it so I did. I beat the living snot out of two kids and when they went home and called me and my mom names I went in their yard and did it again. The school called my dad in and the kids dad came to our house to complain. My Dad basically said he gave me permission to take matters into my own hands since noone else would help. He told the guy get out of here and teach your kids to respect his wife and his son or expect another beatdown.
The kids became my friends and I never had another problem at that school. I'm all about not fighting but I'm also understanding that at times a good stomping sends a signal that words can't. I'm sorry your Son has to go through this junk man cause it hurts pretty bad.....good luck!

[RoadToad]

Excellent post! I'm sorry too to hear that your son is going through that, but glad to know he's getting such great support at home. You're a good man, Woody.

[artcarney_agr]

When will it be that 8 year old kids don't see color and just see 8 year old kids?

8 year old kids don't see color, until something influences them to think otherwise. Kids mimic adults, whether it be their parents, or someone they've seen on tv. My guess is that the 2 boys giving your boy such a hard time really don't know what they are even saying.

An episode of South Park comes to mind in regards to this subject...
http://www.southparkstudios.com/full...f-goes-nanners
Watch the whole thing, but the most relevent part is starting at around 18:00

[Big Gills]

Its sad to see your son have to be the victim of racism Elnut but it will never die it seems. I think it is a lost cause to involve their parents cuz that is where the kids learn it in the first place. He has a long way to go in school and will meet some nice kids to hang out with. The bullies will always be there cuz there is violence in alot of homes and kids act out what they see at home. If push comes to shoves, I hope your boy deals with it OFF school property or he gets suspended. Like what Don said he dealt with it away from the school. Your boy will be stronger for it cuz he has good parents like you and your wife that he can turn to and get support from and doesnt have to go thru it alone. I have heard in the schools up here there are other older kids that you can turn to for help with bullying who will talk to the bullies. Also there are classes in bullying going on. Its a HUGE problem that needs to be addressed. Is anything like that happening in the States that you have heard of?

[eddie_m]

Great post Elnut, er, Netboy.