Last weekend, our family gathered for a long-overdue meal together. As we enjoyed tacos, my kids took turns sharing jokes with the adults, trying to get a laugh. My son, who’s in first grade, was a hit with some classic one-liners. Then, my tween daughter chimed in, eager to contribute her own joke. What came next left me stunned.
She recounted a joke that targeted Asian people—something along the lines of not ordering Chinese food in relation to the coronavirus. I won’t repeat the exact wording, but it was alarming. My eyes widened, and I instinctively exclaimed, “That’s racist!” She looked taken aback and then embarrassed. While I wasn’t angry with my daughter or her friend who shared the joke, my frustration was directed squarely at the adults who perpetuate such harmful humor.
I admit, my initial response could have been handled better. I began to ask my daughter about where she heard the joke. Who said it? When? The answers revealed it was shared among a group of kids, and the reaction was laughter. It was clear that none of them understood the implications, just as my daughter didn’t grasp the punchline. Laughter can easily become a way to gain social approval, especially when it’s about a trending topic like the coronavirus.
The pandemic has saturated conversations everywhere—social media, news outlets, and even casual chats among kids. My children come home from school with bits of information, often incorrect, about the virus. We haven’t focused heavily on it at home, not because we don’t care, but because our family life is filled with the usual hustle and bustle. With six of us juggling work, school, and activities, we haven’t had the time for in-depth discussions about trending topics.
I also don’t want to instill unnecessary fear in my kids about something beyond our control. While others are stockpiling supplies in a panic, we’re just trying to navigate our daily routines without adding extra anxiety.
However, after hearing my daughter’s joke, I realized it was time for a serious talk about the current situation. I shared factual information from my brother-in-law, a family doctor, presenting it straightforwardly without sensationalism. Then, we shifted to discuss the racism interwoven in so many jokes about the coronavirus. My children listened closely, asked questions, and seemed to grasp the importance of what I was explaining. I emphasized that making fun of someone based on their race, gender, or any characteristic is never acceptable. I also highlighted that friends from our community who are Asian have been unfairly targeted, and that kind of treatment is absolutely not okay.
This conversation also opened up a dialogue about the stereotypes that affect Black individuals, an issue personal to my children. We talked about the damaging stereotypes that Black girls and boys face, and how jokes that might seem harmless can really be harmful. We must reject all forms of racism, no exceptions.
We also touched on the stereotypes that some of our Asian friends endure, such as being typecast as good at math or music. One friend even faced the absurdity of peers suggesting her family eats dogs and cats. Yes, ignorance can be astonishing.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to educate my children about why such jokes aren’t funny at all. But my anger still lingers at the adults who spread this offensive humor in the first place. It’s ironic; as the virus spreads, so does this kind of harmful joke.
Racism is unacceptable, and a public health crisis shouldn’t be the punchline of a joke. As I told my kids, it’s vital to seek accurate information from credible sources and to never joke at the expense of others. Thanks to the thoughtless person who introduced this racist coronavirus joke to my daughter and her peers, my kids now understand the importance of thinking critically before repeating something they don’t fully understand.
If you want to learn more about parenting and home insemination, check out this blog post and also visit Make a Mom for expert advice. For more information on infertility, the CDC provides an excellent resource.
In summary, it’s essential to address harmful jokes and educate children about racism and stereotypes. Conversations about sensitive topics like the coronavirus can lead to greater understanding and empathy, equipping our children to navigate the complexities of social interactions.
Leave a Reply