text: racism? what do you tell your child?...? what do you tell your child (young nephew/niece/sibling) about racism? (choose one of the following to answer): - if you are a victim of racism - if you heard your child talking racial slurs - if you don't approve of racism - if you are racist it does depend a little on how young we are talking about - a 5 year old is not going to understand some of the more sublte triggers and points that perhaps a 14 year old might  if you are a victim to racism, then unless you want the youngster to "be a victim" try and make them realise that there will always be people who have a problem with someones colour , religion, gender, sexuality etc and race is no different. try to make them realise it is nothing to do with them, more a hangup belongin to someone else.  if you hear them making slurs and are racist, then presumably you would be impressed. sad but there ya go. if you are not overly impressed, then rather than jump down their throats, try to find out what made them make the comments, see if you can get them to explain their attitude. do they have a reason - is it peer pressure ?  if you don't approve of racism, then above applies really, try and deal with it with them in a realistic and honest way - but do not add your own personal thoughts grudges and hang-ups to the pot if you can help it.  if you are racist, then i guess you will encourage your child to carry on the hate for another generation. seems a bit of a cruel thing to do but there ya go.   ps:  mizogen, your story about the jewish father is powerful and i have heard it before. but although very quotable, i think there is a danger f being too cynical in life.  i would far rather be taken for a mug once in a blue-moon  - and accept that some folks are decent human beings - than make sure i distrust everyone at all time no matter what.  telling a child he should epxect no good from any man is a pretty good way of crippling his/her social skills from day one. my guess is that if you follow your own advice, you are perhaps someone who "enjoys their own company" a great deal of the time. do you really wish such a friendless, loveless life for your kids too?