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Marta,

Thank you for writing in with your concern. I empathize with your granddaughters concerns. I agree that there is racism in our schools, offices, and communities. There is racism in every corner of this world we have. I am not disputing this or your concerns at all. Just an alternative opinion. Hope it doesn't draw any name calling like before.

I do want to ask, what roots this racism pertains to? I experienced this growing up in the South. Kids are not racists. Its a learned behavior. Its a teaching of hate. It starts with the parents (if that's what you mean by roots). I don't know what type of behavior the children in this school system are engaging in but as my children attend school elsewhere, they tell me its not really racism as it is more of an excuse to use terms that agitate or instigate further escalation.

Racism has been pushed recently in the media, to include news outlets, social media, and anyway that propaganda can be spread. Supremacy is also a term that has been used. I have heard many more youths in the past few years throw these terms around loosely. But I have also heard their leaders and media outlets throw these words around loosely as well. I believe a consequence is young people who are confused about what is what at what is not a normal childhood for any of them now.

I like the idea of diversity forums. I also like the idea of them getting together to discuss preventing future violence. I also want to propose asking the kids what they want. Alot of these decisions reside with our elders and parents but how would the kids feel with police officers? Media has painted a skewed picture of them. Wouldn't it be beneficial to have kids and officers in the same room and the kids ask questions, and vice versa? What an amazing understanding that might come out of that meeting?

Thanks Marta.

All the best. Dustin