How values change

John R. Hall

After reading these posts about Dads and children, I began to think about how I have changed my opinions and prejudices since becoming a Daddy. I don't often talk about this and I don't want people to feel surprised or offended - since it involves racism.

Before I had my son Ryan, I would observe young white kids wearing football or baseball jerseys with names and numbers of black athletes, i.e. Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders. Back then I thought to myself, "I'd never let a son of mine show such adoration for a black athlete." I'm ashamed that I had that attitude. And this from a guy who was born and raised in Detroit and who had many black friends and very few racial prejudices. I guess it seemed okay to be friends as long as you didn't show too much outward enthusiasm for the black race -- at least in my opinion.

I consider myself a person who has learned to cope more with "acceptance" as I have aged -- especially by learning tolerance from my young children. I believe that I have never been outwardly prejudiced and can safely say that I never intend to be.

So what am I leading up to? I just put the biggest smile on Ryan's face when I told him a new jersey was comin ghis way in the mail next week -- his favorite football player and a true star. That is none other than Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles. McNabb is a great athlete and role model -- and he is African American.

And I couldn't be more proud that Ryan chose him as his hero.

It is said that "a child shall lead them." Well this child showed his Daddy that heroism and brotherhood are both color blind -- thankfully.

Eric Taylor_35

I understand

While growing up my ultra-liberal mother tought me that people are just people and racisim is for the ignorant. Then I went to an inner city school and learned racism on my own. I learned it from the black kids. They all had chips on their shoulders and seemed to hate everyone who was not like them. I saw them wearing their jackets inside out and heard them speak and I developed my own opinions about African Americans. The thing was that even though the black kids in my school all acted the same they did not represent the entire race. When I got to college I met some extreamly smart kids from ALL races and I had to re-evaluate my opinions yet again.

I'll be honest-- I don't have many black friends. I have a few though. Its just that I haven't found many that I could relate to and have things in common with. I have learned to judge people on their actions and personalities rather then their skin color. I guess my mother was right, but it sure took me a while to realize it.

I will try to teach my children what I have learned, but I expect they will have to learn it for themselves same as me. All I can do is give them guidance and answer their questions. Oh, and hug them everyday.

Eric