10 year old: “I don’t get it. All she did was sit in the front of a bus. What’s the big deal?”
How does a conversation with my kids go from “cat people” and “dog people” (we are dog people, FWIW) to gender equality to civil rights? It just does, and that may be my favorite part of having kids. Our discussion (in the car. we are always in the car.) created the opportunity for me to water the “women and men are to be treated equally” seed. I was especially thankful for the opportunity because it’s important to me and I wanted to counteract what my kids may be gleaning from today’s political climate. Yes, kids glean. You do not realize it while it’s happening, but trust me. And then, they wow you in conversation. Kinda like adults… but sincere, genuine (better).
Would you ever have thought that in 2012 women’s reproductive health rights would be up for debate, dissection or discussion? Women need to be in the know about todays political hot topics, for sure. I argue that so do the guys. Well, at least the ones who hang out with me. Men are less likely to take these debates to heart–obviously–but I believe men need to be aware that politicians are discussing the inalienable rights of their mothers, sisters, wives, daughters. And so it starts while parenting young children. These debates feel as crazy and surreal to me as the idea that a human shouldn’t be allowed to choose where s/he wants to sit on a bus, stand, become educated, eat, shop, or pee. During the drive, as we were talking about Rosa Parks, the local middle school was letting the kids out for the day. On one side of the street were two teen girls walking together: one black, one white. Across the street were two more teens walking together: an Asian girl and a black boy. “That’s why sitting on the front of the bus was a big deal,” I pointed out to my kids. “I don’t get it mom. It was just a seat on the bus.” It’s always been “that way” to my 10 and 8 year old: any person of any color, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation can walk freely, communicate with, commiserate with, sit with, (etc.) any other person s/he chooses. And I’m super glad. At first, I was concerned that they were missing out on a significant opportunity and a racial equality education, but, really is that the lesson for this generation? I don’t think so. Frankly, I’m starting to wonder if school is even the place…but that’s another post for another day. Now Rosa Parks and her actions live on in history as, literally, the tipping point for the world’s self-awareness. She is the woman who opened doors for millions; charting a path for people of color was just the beginning. Clearly, there will be a multitude of other lessons for these boys.
bigheartedmom 