Open a box of pencils. How many skin tones can you find?
Thanks for sharing. You're not the only one.
For the adult: read together. There are no right or wrong answers. Talk about color naturally: children see colors, and if we don't name them, they don't learn to see when someone is suffering because of theirs. What teaches them most is what you say at the table, the nicknames at home and the pencils, books and toys you have. This route will help you as much as them.
People have lots of skin colors: light, brown, dark, and all the shades in between. We also have lots of kinds of hair and eyes.
All colors are beautiful. And none is worth more than another.
Sometimes, without noticing, we treat someone differently because of their color. We give them a nickname, laugh at their hair or don't let them play. That hurts, even if it's «just a joke».
Your mirror
The adult reads each sentence out loud.
At recess, Lía and her friends are playing princesses. Maya wants to play.
—You can't be the princess —a girl tells her—. Princesses are white.
Maya stands still. Nobody says anything.
That night, Lía tells her mom. Her mom asks:
—And what do you think? Can a princess be any color?
Lía thinks of Maya, who makes up the best stories in the whole class.
—Yes. Maya would be the best princess.
Skin color doesn't decide who gets to play.
Draw yourself ✏️
Draw yourself with your real colors: your skin, your hair, your eyes. If you can't find your shade, mix two pencils until you find it.
Today you're a detective 🔍. Notice the colors of skin, hair and eyes of the people you see. There are so many!
What skin colors are there in your family and in your class?
Sometimes we leave colors out without noticing. Let's find out how!
Finish and go to lesson 2 →How many nicknames in your class are about someone's color, hair or eyes? «Blackie», «China boy», «Curly», «Brownie»…
Did you ever ask that person if they like it?
Thanks for sharing. You're not the only one.
Racism almost never says its name. It sounds like an affectionate nickname, a meme, «it's a joke», a filter that lightens your skin.
Every person has equal dignity: the same worth and the same right to respect, no matter their skin, their hair, their eyes or where their family comes from. Racism is anything that puts someone lower because of those things. Even if it's said laughing.
This isn't about guilt. Almost all of us grew up hearing these phrases. It's so you notice, and choose which ones you want to keep saying.
Before the mirror: answer thinking about what you said, did and thought this month.
Your mirror
Since first year, Martín's classmates have called him «China boy», because of his eyes. His family has lived in the country for three generations.
At break, playing soccer, Teo shouts:
—China boy, pass it!
Martín passes it. When the game's over, he comes up to him:
—Teo, my name is Martín.
—But it's affectionate.
—I know. But I don't call you «Big Ears». I call you Teo. People have called me «China boy» since I was six, everywhere. Here I'd like to be Martín.
Teo never meant to bother him. For him it was just another nickname. For Martín it was the same thing as always. And nobody had ever asked him.
Your map of phrases
1 · What you hear. What phrases about color, hair or features do you hear at home, in class or online?
2 · What you say. Which ones do you say, even sometimes?
3 · What was said to you. Did anyone ever say something like that to you? How did you feel?
4 · Finish the sentence.
Call everyone by their name. If someone has a nickname about their color and you don't know if they like it, use their name.
Who do you call by their color or features? Do you know if they like it?
Racism disguises itself as a nickname, a meme and even a compliment.
Finish and go to lesson 2 →How many nicknames do you know that are about someone's color? «Blackie», «Brownie», «China boy», «Curly», «the Indian»…
Did you ever ask that person if they liked being called that?
Thanks for sharing. You're not the only one.
Racism almost never says its name
When we think of racism, we think of hateful insults, violence, something that happens in other countries. That exists, and it's terrible.
But in everyday life, racism sounds different. It sounds like affection: «my little Blackie». It sounds like advice: «stay out of the sun, you'll get darker». It sounds like a joke. It sounds like «they just don't fit the profile».
It's almost never said in anger. It's often said with a smile. That's why it's so hard to see.
Equal dignity
Every person has equal dignity: the same importance, the same worth, the same right to be treated with respect. No matter the color of their skin, their hair, their eyes, their nose or where their family comes from.
Racism is anything that puts someone lower because of those things. Even when it's said with affection.
This isn't about guilt
Almost all of us grew up hearing phrases like «bad hair» or «improve the race». We repeat them without thinking, because that's how our family, our neighborhood and TV talked.
This route isn't here to make you feel like a bad person. It's here so you notice, and choose which phrases you want to keep repeating and which you don't.
Where it shows up
There are six moments when racism slips in:
- What you say «affectionately»: nicknames about color or features.
- Hair and features: «bad hair», «ugly nose», «slanty eyes».
- In the family: the «light-skinned» baby everyone celebrates, the «stay out of the sun».
- The jokes: the ones that always laugh at the same color.
- What you decide: who you hire, who you rent to, who you distrust.
- When you see it and stay quiet: the comment you let slide.
Before the mirror
Answer thinking about what you said, did and thought this past month, not how you'd like to be. Nobody else sees your answers.
Your mirror
A new coworker joins Sam's team. He's Black, tall, and always in a good mood.
From day one, Sam greets him the same way:
—Hey there, Blackie!
Everyone laughs. The coworker smiles too.
Two weeks later, at lunch, Sam greets him that way again. The coworker puts down his fork and says, calmly:
—Sam, my name is Carlos.
—But it's affectionate —says Sam.
—I know. But I don't call you «Glasses», or «Skinny». I call you Sam. People have called me by my color since I was five. At school, on the street, at every job. I'd like to be Carlos here.
Sam never meant to hurt him. For him it was an everyday joke. For Carlos it was the same thing as always. And nobody had ever asked him.
Your map of phrases
Find a quiet place.
Step 1 · What you heard. What phrases about color, hair or features did you hear at home or in your neighborhood as a kid?
Step 2 · What you repeat. Which of those phrases do you still say, even once in a while?
Step 3 · What they said to you. Did anyone ever say something like that to you, about your skin, your hair or your features? How did you feel?
Step 4 · Finish the sentence.
You'll use it in lesson 9, when you make your plan.
Call every person by their name. Everyone, all day.
If someone has a nickname about their color and you don't know if they like it, don't use it. Use their name.
Is there someone in your life you call by their color or features? Do you know if they like it?
Racism disguises itself as affection, advice, a joke, and even a compliment: «you speak so well for a…».
In the next lesson you'll meet its eight disguises. And you'll find out which ones you use.
Finish and go to lesson 2 →Lesson 1 of 10.
Great start.
To take with youToday you're a detective 🔍. Notice the colors of skin, hair and eyes of the people you see. There are so many!
To take with youCall everyone by their name. If someone has a nickname about their color and you don't know if they like it, use their name.
To take with youCall every person by their name. Everyone, all day.
What you write and your progress are saved only on this device. When you finish the lesson we add 1 to the total, without knowing who you are.