Supporting my Son

A few weeks ago, my son, who is of mixed races, was insulted at his new school for being a foreigner. This caused a huge commotion, leading to both parties' parents being called in. The teachers apologized, and at home, we talked with our son to understand the situation better.

I explained to him that words can hurt or make you angry, but it's best to breathe and think before reacting. As his parents, we wanted to ensure he felt supported. The school board then invited me to discuss discrimination and racism, knowing I had lived in various parts of the world.

Sitting with the board, they asked about my experiences as a foreigner. I explained that most negative interactions stem from a lack of education, exposure, fear, and cultural differences. I posed a question to them: "Before I came here today, how many of you thought about how to interact with me based on being a foreigner?" Many gulped or smiled.

I continued, "I see you as a man, a woman, a teacher, a parent, mentors to our children—nothing else. Our differences don't bother me. I enjoy being different; if everyone were the same, life would be boring. A rude person is just rude, not representative of their entire race."

I shared an example: "On my way here, I drove the speed limit, but the person behind me was tailgating, wanting me to break the law. If I had sped and been pulled over, the news might have labeled me as 'another foreigner breaking the law.' If it were a native, it would just be a bad guy."

During the meeting, they asked how we could address this with the student body. I suggested either a workshop to discuss differences and their positive aspects or a speech about speaking out. The school chose the latter.

That day, I became a hero to my son and other children. I feel so blessed and proud to be a father, knowing my kids understand I will always stand with them.

Just last week, all first-grade students were given a form to write about their fears and issues anonymously. 185 kids from the first grade of three classes wrote about their experiences at the new school. The board was surprised to learn that five kids, who had Japanese names but didn’t look different, admitted they were afraid of being picked on. Others also came forth with hidden problems. It was a powerful reminder of the impact of our discussions and the importance of continuing to address these issues.