You are too kind!!
I have been fortunate enough to have grown up on both sides of the minority/race card. I consider myself lucky for that.
I do all I can to make sure my son in exposed to the same thing, luckily, a lot of it is readily available at his school and daycare and here in our local community.
The interesting thing is that my son does not need to be told to accept those who look different. I have tried to teach him to be accepting, but honestly have never mentioned "color" as part of it. As a kid he just knows that, as do most kids I would venture. That was part of my point, as kids we think/thought for ourselves about what mattered in others, as adults, we listen to too much other stuff and let in influence our thoughts.... HE knows right from wrong when it comes to right and wrong, but I try to never influence his observations and acceptance of others. We talk probably everyday about something related to differences, be it color or religion or what have you. But we talk, we try not to judge and we try to talk and understand why things are different for different people. Now, granted it is easy with a five year old. The differences somedays are as simple as the shape of eyes or skin color or what was in the lunch kit....
You see, my son Wade, has no knowledge of slavery, racism, terrorism etc. Therefore, he does not look at someones "apperance" and form a judgement based on the way they look or the way their voice sounds. The real challenge will be very soon, when we start talking and learning about history (and yes september 11th is history to a five year old) and try to understand/teach that color had nothing to do with it. That what was done was wrong, be it terrorism or slavery or what have you. I will try to do what my parents did, seperate the issue from all else. And to me, that is the key. Pretend you are reading it (with out reference to physical attributes) and not seeing it. See it through the words and actions and not the color.
Lots of white folk do bad things, lots of colored folk do bad things. Color has nothing to do with it. What you learned and were taught and are influenced by (and continue to be influenced by) is the difference.
It really is quite simple, yet incredibly difficult for a society to grasp....... The problem is made worse by folks who seek to gain an advantage (be it political or otherwise) based on the hand that they were dealt. To me, those who use their color/race to promote their agenda is truley sad.....
Cheers