Is it always gonna be about the color of your skin?

Really? Tsk, tsk, tsk...The way I see it, is that, people will always have a one-sided view of things if they won't open up their minds. So long as the prevailing myth of superiority is continually injected into the minds of kids, then yeah, racism is not gonna go away. Good idea. Don't move dude, instead, show those people that you can be just as good an American. That being an American is not a matter of color but a matter of heart. :) Besides, I'm hoping Obama's gonna win, and if he does, that should give you something to throw back at him. ^-^

It's really sad that racism still exists in a country that stands for democracy and justice. I guess no country's really perfect. :( It's the same in my country. There are skin whitening products everywhere and everyone thinks that having fair skin is better than being dark. I think you should just roll with the punches and try to prove everyone wrong. I'm sure if people get to know you better, they'll overlook your color. :)

Being an Indian in India, I cannot really help you in any way…only thing I want to say is that I saw the attached photo and I really want to hug the kids…they are so chubby and beautiful and somehow the eldest son (I think, on the left) seems very matured and well-mannered. I must also say that both you and your wife are extremely brave and confident people and so have faith in God, your children will grow up to be excellent citizens. Racism of every type is prevalent in every country…here in India we discriminate on states and languages and its quite difficult for many to settle in some other states where they are clearly demarcated as outsiders and their children frowned upon and ignored in school because they speak different languages. But somehow they pull through…the fact that we all are Indians doesn’t help much (same way as your being in your own country is not helping much)…encourage your children to associate themselves with friends outside the area and don’t push the kids to mingle with the Mexican boys (parents often do it with good intentions to make the children feel part of the community but the kids bear the brunt of it)…teach them about their families and culture and educate them about the multiracial heritage of your nation. Also tell them that not all people are like that and as individuals they should always be proud of who they are. Regarding the Mexican boys, they come across as rather no-good loafers…they should best be left and forgotten…not everybody is worth the hand of friendship.

I can not begin to relate to the challenges your beautiful family faces. I wish you the best of luck in dealing with such horrible situations. I can understand about not fitting in though. I moved to a small fishing community on the east coast of canada. The people are mostly French Christians that hunt regularly. Most of the community are related in some way. We on the other hand are related to noone, not Christian or french and are vegetarians. My daughter is the only red head in her class and we have a funky Ukrainian last name. My children have been picked on for being different. How I dealt with the situation is to give my children a strong sense of pride of where they came from and to learn their roots. Take pleasure in being special and unique even laugh at ourselves. When it is heritage week they do it on their heritage and teach the others about it. Once they knew they couldn't make fun of it because they were not ashamed of it they did stop doing it. Now we have been here for 5 years and all the kids know who we are where we came from. I am sad that this is still going on in this day and age. My heart goes out to your family.

racism is sad because every one is made in the image of God. a piece of him is in every soul on earth. racism has been bred into many generations, and although we seem to be accepting other races more we have a long way to go. my children face much criticism and hatred, but i think if we teach them they are God's children and that he loves them and they know that this world is not their home, we are only here for a short while, then i think they will know nothing is wrong with them. they were made just the way God wanted them. he does not make mistakes. just try to build their self image. teach them to see themselves as God sees them, not the way the world sees them.

Well it depends on how the person was raised and sometimes parents always make fun of people who are different whether you are white or bi-racial there always going be the issue of your skin. Same if you are deaf or not, you will always have that issue of your skin. It doesn't make a difference of where you live, you can be a hard working man facing demotion all the time even if you put in 80 or 70 hrs of your life a week to provide food. Because of your skin, you can get higher or lower pay. Because of your skin you will be asked to leave a resturant or store. So it not matter where you live, it always be about your skin. I am deaf, I know what it like to be made fun of all times, you can try to talk to the mexican parents, but it probably won't do a thing maybe make things worse. Or even yet your life could be threaten. SO, it is a testing of your faith and if you can stick it out despite trials you can endure anything.

Hello Ibwise. I find it just amazing that this type of thing still happens. I never hear of this type of behavior in my community. Our community is as deverse as one can be. I live among Blacks, Whites, Indians and Asains and we all to get along just fine. I can't understand why people of Mexican descent would stoop this such a level. Most of the civil rights they enjoy in America came about due to the struggles of many courageous Black, White, Jewish and Hispanic people. Those causing you such distress need to study the history of the Civil Rights Movement and understand that America has changed for the better. If out of ignorance or lack of desire to see what they are doing is wrong, then you should move to the next level. File a police report so you can have something on record. Contact your local authorities and ask for their help. I believe that the majority of people respect your right to live in peace with whoemever you choose. Contact the local and county prosecutor. Tell them your situation. Send this post to the local newspaper and local television station. Finally contact the Idaho State Attorney General. Explain your situation and ask what they can do to put an end to this problem. You and your family deserve better. As long as you are a law abiding citizen, no one should trample on your right to happiness. Remember, you have the unalienable Rights, that among these are Life . . . and the pursuit of Happiness." (Declaration of Independence) Lloyd

I understand it must have been hard for you. Just love your children and let them understand slowly and slowly that there are some people who do not know how to respect other people. You can never please everyone, but I know you have good friends who respect you and your family. So try to go out more often with those friends and let the kids feel that are accepted and normal just like everybody else. Just continue living a happy normal life with your wife and kids. As your children grow, they’ll understand better. Never forget to show those little fellow love and affection because they need that to understand better.

I feel sorry for that. Just this week i was able to watch a documentary about the life of black people in America. Knowing some famous black people, e.g. Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Barrack Obama,, i kinda get the impression that they would change the way people perceive your race and would eventually mature America. But i was wrong. I never knew how bad it really was until i got to watched it. I just hope that these stupid people won't discourage you from doing what is ought to be right in the eyes of the society and in front of our dear God. Please extend my regards to your lovely wife and your three children. God Bless you IBWISE!!!

I don't think we should always consider the skin. Although it is a very noticeable thing. But it should not be the basis of everything. Personality still counts a lot.

America,is and always will be built on Racism , period. yeah , some people arent goign to agree , and yeah , no matter how far this thread will go , people who wont admit it , are just beating around the bush , and oh no its not just black and white , its everyone..

I wish I had some solid advice for you on this one. I know it must be extremely painful. I love my kids with all my heart, and would do almost anything to keep them from these type of experiences. To be truthful with you, I wouldn't consider it running to leave yet another place if it means getting my children in a better environment. You and your wife are adults. You have learned to handle yourselves in many situations, so it's not as if you are running scared. But these children are innocent. It is about giving them the best opportunity to grow into well adjusted adults. I think I would consider moving, but do some thorough investigation of the neighborhood before moving. We are never going to escape racism in this world. If we were all white, we would probably hate one group for having red hair and another for having green eyes. It is just an ugly disease. Maybe you should do some research online to see if there are support groups out there of people who have been through this and have some affective ways of dealing with it. God be with you and your family.

Oh it is really tough!! I can imagine how hard it is to deal with racism or that is the same as dealing with discrimination. It is really hard because people will judge anybody according to the outward appearance but if we who are discriminated have special talents and abilities that they don;t have maybe they would stop doing that. Parents also can train their kids to respect other races. If kids are taught properly by adults, they would know how to respect and love others.

that is absolutely terrible. If these kids are really mexican and they re picking on your kids because of race, there is a bigger problem with them than just racism. It may seem "uncool" but you really must talk to the kids parents,an authoritive figure, and tell your children there is no problem with being a different race. Good luck

Upon reading your discussion I remembered a Tyra Banks Show episode about racism. It really disgusted me when I saw people thinking that they're of a better race than others or that they have this stereotype mentality that a certain race is of bad nature. As of the Mexicans and their fellow South Americans (not all of them though), they actually set a caste system over their whole continent setting their nationality as part of the top level of the caste. Sort of the highest class in the society. I think that's ridiculous, as if the members of the lowest caste were untouchables. I've nothing against any nationality. We all live in the same planet and the only way for a peaceful coexistence is to understand each culture that comes with different races. I think you just have to try to talk to them if they have problems with you guys. Just hold your temper though. This issue's root lies within the concept of discrimination. But don't return hate, instead show them love.

I just want to say good luck and I hope, as you do, that it does not have a bad effect on your children. I am an American of Italian decent married to a Filipina (Philippine Woman). We have been married for 37 years and we have five sons and 12 grand children. We have experienced some of the kinds of treatment you mention and it is not fun. But, I believe the best thing you can do is make a happy and safe home for your children and show them that they are not the ones who are at fault. Also, show them that you are above responding to those who ridicule without any reason. Your children will always put you above anyone else; so always try to set a good example. Best of luck.

Yes, its sad to know that racism still exists in our country. I myself am American Indian, and I see a little bit of it still today. Some people think we still live in teepees, or on some poor reservation somewhere, or they think of us as being no good drunks. Thats not how it is nowdays, not all of us are like that. We don't still live in teepees we live in regular houses just like everybody else, everybody works, goes to school, whatever. I'm sorry to hear that your family has to go thru things like that, it just shows how ignorant some people can be, and how they are spreading the hate thru their children. I don't know why they would be picking on your kids, they are part of the minority themselves. Just keep telling your kids that nothing is wrong with them, God made them who they are, and that the people bothering them just aren't very nice people.