I enjoyed listening to Hannah and Len watching the football last night. It was Netherlands vs. Germany in the European League Cup (or something like that???). At 9pm Hannah trundled through to the kitchen to kiss me goodnight, wishing with all her heart she could stay up to watch the rest of the game. Prolonging bedtime just as long as she could she began to chitchat about the fact that she was supporting Holland and not Germany, “and *so* is Daddy” she told me in the most grown up voice she could muster. I asked her why and she flatly stated that she “didn’t like Germans”!!
I was rather taken back. There is never a hint of prejudice evident in our house. And I thought the environment where she goes to school… with a mixture of multiple nationalities around her day in day out would exclude/prevent such strong opinions in my child.
I asked her why she felt the way she did, and she said it was because the Germans had hurt so many people during the ‘big war’… (Ahha!! History lessons!!)… I explained to her that what she felt was in fact a prejudice against a nationality, and that it was actually the same attitude or prejudice that had caused the Germans (many years ago) to do what they had done… and suggested she wouldn’t want to be found with some of the same heart attitudes that had caused such horrible things to happen during the ‘big war’… I told her that she should always guard her heart against any forms of prejudice and that she should never choose to like or dislike someone because of their skin colour, nationality, religion, the food they eat, what they smell like… etc.
I really think she took it all in, I gave her a hug, and tried to shoo her off to bed. As she was leaving the kitchen she turned and said… “Moma, this reminds me of a joke…ya wanna hear it?”
Sure…
Ok, there was this black man in the desert… (I raise my eyebrow…she holds up her hand and assures me she won’t be making fun of black people and persuades me to listen)… Anyway, there was this black man in the desert who finds a lantern. When he rubs the lantern, a genie pops out granting him 3 wishes… the man says ‘oh! I need a lot of water, I am soooo thirsty. And um… my second wish would be that you would make me white, because I am tired of people giving me a hard time because I’m black …. And hmmmmm (scratching his chin) for my third wish… I would like to see LOTS and LOTS of girls’ bottoms!!! At this, the genie lifted his hands in the air and with a ‘paaaching’ granted the man’s wishes…. And turned him into………… A TOILET!!!
Hopefully, I can help to shape her character, but God forbid I do anything to stunt her sense of humour!!!
Amber thats so cute. Aren't kids amazing? I have tried to get hold of you and I guess I don't have the right stuff. Anyway JoAnn helped me when I was there and I do hope you get this. Will you please send me an email with your address Love to you all,
Galloping Granny
Posted by: dorothyMatthews | 26/06/2004 at 04:04 PM
yeah, those talks are going to be fun when the history lessons come around.
we've already had to have them just based on skin color and religion though. my daughter was on the receiving end though. her best friend goes to church every sunday and flatly stated to my daughter that she doesn't believe in god because she doesn't go to church.
we laughed it off and asked her if she believed in god. she said yes. so we told her to tell her friend that 1) just because she doesn't go to church doesn't mean she can't believe in god and 2) her friend is christian and has to accept my daughter's beliefs no matter what ... hehe.
Posted by: tj | 19/06/2004 at 12:42 PM
"A merry heart does good like medicine" and I've had my medicine today!
Posted by: Mammy | 18/06/2004 at 05:52 PM
It's interesting how children pick up on thing like racism. Life's lessons are often learned at a young age.
Toilet humor...Hee hee hee.
Posted by: myllissa | 18/06/2004 at 01:55 PM
yeah she is sooo taking after her father...
:)
Posted by: stinkerbell | 18/06/2004 at 11:52 AM
Definitely don't touch that sense of humor. It will serve her well! :-)
Posted by: Chris | 18/06/2004 at 11:52 AM
There's not a better entertainment system to be had than a child. Have a good weekend!
Posted by: Anne | 18/06/2004 at 02:25 AM
Wow, that's heavy stuff, the racial hatred stuff. It sounds like it was handled beautifully though. You do realise, don't you, that I'm taking a mental note of all these gems you write here so I can apply them to dealing with wee D when he gets older!
Posted by: croila | 17/06/2004 at 03:54 PM
That is a good one. I wonder where they pick up such things...
Posted by: Gary | 17/06/2004 at 03:26 PM
Hee. That's pretty funny. Was there a little gesture to go with the "paaaching"?
Posted by: Fraulein N | 17/06/2004 at 01:29 PM
I don't know what was funnier...the joke or the fact that she told that to company. ME!!!
Posted by: Hula Doula | 17/06/2004 at 12:04 AM
I laughed hard at the sound effect!
Posted by: Genuine | 16/06/2004 at 10:57 PM
Oh that joke! I am laughing so hard just at the thought of it coming out of a child's mouth...the things they pick up at school!
Posted by: Angie | 16/06/2004 at 10:38 PM
HA! Good joke! I may use that tonight.
My hubby is German and my oldest son is just beginning to learn about World War II and is coming up with some hard questions. I don't think that he likes being part "bad guy"
Posted by: Another Pam | 16/06/2004 at 08:17 PM