To the Future

                I have two young children, we recently thought about what do we teach them about the current times, and how do we teach them about race? How do we teach them about COVID-19? The answer would seem obvious, you lead by example, do the right thing. As they grow explain some of the issues as best you can, maybe point to other influential leaders. However, in the back of my mind, I have no business teaching my kids the hardships of racism. That wasn’t something I experienced. I probably also have no business teaching my kids why thousands of people ignored doctors and continued to spread the most lethal disease of my life time. I’m too biased to be able to consider the other side.

                My kids are my world, and I want to make sure that they are afforded more opportunities than me. I’m pretty sure that is the goal of pretty much all parents. I struggle with what to say to them, not just because they’re not quite of the age to understand, but because I’m not sure I have the right voice, the right tone to be able to subjectively tell them what has happened. I have a lot to learn, and am trying to do so with each day. Some things come easier to me than others, some things take a lot more.

                If I could, I think I’d like to start with talking a little about ignoring doctors and scientists. I’ve always been grounded in science, math, and other factually based disciplines. I’m pretty sure my personality is based on trying to observe and understand those around me. Friends have told me that I’m not loyal to them, because I’ve sided with those who have more rational responses. To be clear, I put science and fact above all else, even if it can affect relationships. In this day and age, fact is a matter of opinion. There is nothing anymore, that cannot be a matter of politics. It doesn’t matter if 99% of all scientists in the world agree on something, if a certain politician disagrees, then there are going to be people that disagree.

                We used to put doctors/mathematicians/scientists above everyone else, because they are the best of their fields. They’ve spent their lifetimes dedicating themselves to their field. Now, these people are political hacks who care nothing more than partisan tricks. It doesn’t matter that they have peer reviewed results. It doesn’t matter that they have fact-based evidence. The only thing that matters is some politician who says things you like said that this scientist has an important voice.

                I want my kids to challenge me on the facts that I’ve learned. Most of these things are fluid, and the best way to learn is to be challenged. I’m going to struggle with that challenge, but in the end, they need to be able put into practice what they are taught. They are our future, they will likely lead the next wave of innovation. When a generation latches on to research and fact, we damn well better listen.

                Moving on to the topic of race. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to tell my kids that I don’t know the sting, the pain, the injustice of not being white. I know without a doubt that being Black in America is a lot tougher than being White. I know that a Black man if more likely to go to jail than a White man for the same exact crime. I know that there is most definitely institutional racism in America. How do I tactfully teach that though? It is obviously more nuanced than White people suck, and slavery was once a thing.

Looking back at my childhood, I have realized that my opinion of Black people was created by economic wellbeing. As in, there were certain towns I was supposed to avoid. I never thought race was the reason to avoid those towns, it was more that they were lower income. Through various different things, I met kids from these towns, and befriended them. I felt bad asking my family to see them, because they hailed from an area less fortunate than mine. These people however, effected my life for the better, and I would not be who I am today without them, whether or not we still talk.
            
            I hope that I’m able to provide my kids the same experience, or barring that an experience with more diversity. I hope that I’m able to teach them that we’re all just human. We deserve to be treated the same. Who cares if you’re Black, Yellow, Brown, White or Green? We’re all members of this weirdness called Earth. We live together, we prosper together, we excel together. I know that I’m the best voice for equality, I’m not even a good choice for advocating, I just want my kids to grow and have a better mindset than me.