How to Teach Racial Tolerance to Teens

Racial injustices are everywhere and the one place you wish to prevent them from occurring is in your own home and within your family. You want to teach your teen to embrace the different cultures and ethnic groups that he comes in contact with instead of ridiculing or rejecting them. Diversity makes life interesting and sometimes challenging and your children will be the better for having a well-rounded life filled with many types and races of individuals.

Instructions

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      Lead by example. Never make any racial slurs or jokes in the presence of your children. Judging others by their color or heritage should not be allowed in the home. Don't take part in any conversation that demeans another person due to the color of their skin or the country they originate from. The behavior you model will be emulated by your teens so it is important that you show them how to be nonjudgmental and fair individuals. Joseph Cress, author of the book "Peaceful Parenting in a Violent World," says "Parents should raise their children in an environment of acceptance of individual differences."

    • 2

      Immerse your family in cultural experiences that highlight the contributions different ethnic groups make to the world. Take trips to museums that feature African American art, attend cultural festivals, whether Cinco de Mayo or Chinese New Year. Attend theater and dance performances from other countries, and choose restaurants that serve specialties with ethnic fare. Talk to your teens about the contributions that different groups make to society by showing them items from different countries such as electronics from Japan or fabrics from Africa.

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      Read books and watch films as a family that illustrate the struggles that different races and ethnic groups had to go through at various times in history. Books such as "The Diary of Anne Frank," "The Life and Times of Frederick Douglas" and "Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" give real examples of individuals who suffered because of the color of their skin. Even fictional films such as "The Butler" have a message to send as they are based on experiences of historical prejudice and hatred.

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      Expose your children to racial injustices in the news that occur daily. Discuss how unfair they are and how situations could have been handled differently by various leaders. Highlight and view news events such as the Olympics where individuals of all colors and a multitude of ethnic backgrounds gather together for the world's most honored sports event.

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