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Most adults don't deliberately tu–
tor children to be prejudiced. but
nevertheless, kids are infected with
grown-up biases. While we adults
like to consider ourselves a being
free from bigotry. facts tend to
prove otherwise. About 80 percent
of Americans have an appreciable
degree of prejudice, claims psy–
chologist Gordon W. Allport. He
defines prejudice as "an avertive or
hostile atti tude toward a person who
belongs to a group. simply because
he belongs to that group. and is
therefore presumed
to
have thc ob–
jectionable qualities ascribed to.that
group."
Born Free
Though we were born free from
prejudice, growing up in a specific
family. race. religion. or nation has
conditioned us to show preferential
treatment to members of our own
group. The natural clannishness
we' re exposed to contributes signifi–
can tly to the development of bias.
As pcople cluster within thci r pri–
mary groups. communicat ion with
outsidc groups frequently breaks
down and antagonisms grow. Dif–
ferences are blown out of propor–
tion; misunderstandings multiply
and conflicts sometimes erupt.
Racial attitudes are usually built
into a person during the early yea rs
of life. claims John Gillin. professor
of anthropology at the University of
Pittsburgh. How? By a series of in–
fiuences and incidents controlled
and interpreted by thc members of
one's own fami ly and social group.
"These developments often take
place during an age period before
the child has fully developed the use
of language and critica( experience.
and they are usually associated with
basic emotions.'' Gillin states. "Thus
by the time he is an adult. even
rnany an intellectually enlightened
person is unable to explain to him-
elf or lo understand why he feels
8
''By the time he is an adult, even many an
intellectually enlightened person is unable to explain
to himself why he feels repelled by members of
another so-called racial group.
' '
Rulesfor
Combating
Prejudice
1.
Create a respect for differ–
ences, keeping in mind that it's
normal to be different.
2.
Judge each person as an
individual and not as part of a
group
3.
Recogn1ze that there·s good
and bad m every group.
4.
Remember that the best
teaching is done by example.
5.
Stress the things that we all
have in common .
6.
Don ' t generalize from
isolated inc1dents and don' t
gossip
7.
Agree to disagree agreeably
but speak up when confronted
with pre¡ud1ce Demand facts
and proof.
8.
Don't label Th1nk of a per–
son as a umque human being.
9.
Know your community and
do something together with
your neighbors .
1O.
Develop the capacity to
listen.
repelled by rnernbers of another so–
called racial group.
" lt
would seem that. while educa–
tion of all adults in maners of race is
eminently desirable. the crucial as–
pect is the education of parents and
other rearers of children.
lt
is they
who rnusl be molivated to train and
raise lhe nexl generation of chi ldren
wilhout bui lding into thern unrea–
soning and unnecessary attitudes
towa rd other groups of huma n
beings."
The most importan! influence
parents can wield is their own good
example in fostering brotherhood
on a day-by-day basis. If a parcnt is
aware of his own biases and ca n
deal honestly with gut feelings. he's
bound to be able to help his chi ld
overcome negative altitudes toward
olhers. Actions speak louder th an
words. so it's essential for adults to
moni tor their own behavior.
Lie Turns to Truth
One triking example of parental
concern Ied lo a mother's dramatic
change of heart. A Negro woman
confided lOher white friend that shc
had tricd to protect her childrcn by
lying to them. "White people rcally
love blacks." she reassured thcm.
Shc didn't really believe that. but
she wanted to prevent prejudicc
from hurting them. Through great
sacrifice she was able to send her
yo ungs ters to a prívate school.
where most of the students wcre
white. Anlicipaling love instead of
hale, th e chi ldren eas ily mad e
friends, and soon classmatcs wcrc
visit ing their home. Despite the
growing rclationsh ips. the mother
became increasingly anxious. ' ' 1
dread lhe day when racism rears its
ug ly head." she told her white
friend. 'Tm afraid my kids are go–
ing to get hurt." But her fcars
proved unfounded. for racial in–
cidents never occurred. lnstead. th e
friendships deepened. Finally. th e
The PLAIN TRUTH May 1977