Someone's child asked "Why was that lady being mean to my Daddy?" And Mommy asks " If Daddy explodes at them, does it help?

One can respond with appropriate emotion without exploding..

I've been dealing with this all of my life personally and as the parent of a multi racial family over the last 23 years..

Cold and calculated indignation can be very effective means of dealing with this.. while teaching our children that racism in NOT acceptable. Sadness can also be an appropriate response.

My responses are not always aimed at the person making the statements.. sometimes they are aimed at others watching/listening..

I guess what I mean is that there is a middle ground of standing up for oneself and one's family, while not lowering oneself to the level of the one who's attacking by exploding all over them as satisfying as that

thought may be.. fantasizing about it, I've found is a useful resource, at least for me.

My response on this issue (and I live in a state that doesn't allow homosexuals to adopt, which is terrible and I'm campaigning to change it) is that when EVERY child in the system finds a home, there MIGHT be room

to eliminate loving homes based on such small mindedness.. but I doubt it.. ALL children deserve a loving home.

Since we don't have half enough homes for children in State care (over 500,000 currently), well.. that's another situation..

I've often used "well it's obvious my parents taught me better manners than yours taught you.." or 'it's obvious that my parents valued the principal of Respect MUCH more than yours did, and that's very sad'.. said while turning my back and walking away.. head held high..

I too feel nauseated when it happens.. and sad..

Our children are indeed our future..

I met a neat lady the other day.. I had taken my three boys (20 months, 12 months and four months) shopping at a local K-mart.. this young woman with a new baby and a two year old started up a conversation.. turns out she's from a family of 25! from all over the world! Her family started adoption before she was born 30 years ago.. she's just starting to think about adopting herself..

For every nasty human being, there are several more who are loving, caring and accepting..