Day 105
I am surprised and impressed
as A. repeats to me what he’s learned in school about Martin Luther King, Jr.
“His big words were love,
peace and togetherness,” he starts.
“He won a special, special medal because he taught people to fight with
their words.”
“And not their fists?” I
prompt. A. nods.
Isn’t it amazing how kids
understand the big picture?
Today, on a day dedicated to
the memory and ideals of the greatest leader in America’s struggle for civil
rights, I start a frank conversation with the boys about the things MLK wanted
for all of us. Equality. Freedom. Opportunities.
“If you could be any color in
the world other than what we are, what would you be?” I ask.
“Red,” F. answers.
“Yellow,” says I.
“I’m picking whatever Mom
picks,” A. says. He and I are both
green.
“Do you think the color of our
skin changes the person we are inside?”
The boys agree it doesn’t.
“How do you think it makes
people feel to be treated badly because their skin looks different?”
“Bad. Real bad,” A. says. We talk about what we might do if we
see someone being teased or bullied.
Tell a teacher. Stand up
and speak out. Be their friend.
“I think our life is much more
interesting because of all the differences between us. What do you think?”
F. smiles. “Rainbow is my
favorite color.” That’s my
boy.
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