Dear Paul B,
My son is very popular, and a great kid. Kids are attracted to his smile, outgoing attitude, and most of all — his “courage.” Sam attends a middle class school in the northwest ‘burbs, where 90% of the students are WASPs. We are not. Recently a very nice family from Nigeria moved in a few blocks away. Sam became friendly with Okpara. The kids were somewhat resistant to “OK,” as they called him, at first. Sam and he became best friends. OK is a pretty good baseball player, after Sam taught him the game. Would you believe that some parents did not want OK in their homes? For crying out loud, it is 2011, what gives? If he was a lily white kid from Paris, these “idiots” would invite him to dinner. This is just insane. I want to speak to these parents, but my wife says it is not my business.
Perplexed
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Dear Per,
Don’t be in such shock and awe. So, we are almost 50 years from the establishment of “civil rights” in this country, but wasn’t that just a piece of paper — a mere document? People have previously been, and unfortunately will always be prejudiced, and discriminate based on color, religion, size, shape or day of the week. It is the ultimate sign of ignorance. Be a great parent by being the best role model. Stand by Sam. These other parents, kids, neighbors will catch your drift. This is why we must constantly teach our children, except for kids like Sam, that we are all the same “blood and guts,” but for the colorful packaging. I have always told my kids that people are like Christmas gifts, and you never know what prize you’re going to get until you open them up, and you are always surprised!
Paul B
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