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my heart broke today....

(143 Posts)
Morgana Wed 20-Feb-19 18:37:26

when DD said that my precious GD1 had said that she did not like the colour of her skin. She wants to be white like Mummy. She is 4.
Any suggestions as to how to handle this?

maryhoffman37 Thu 21-Feb-19 10:18:46

May I recommend my picture book Amazing Grace? An old one but still relevant today. Not a mixed race family but a very positive message.

GabriellaG54 Thu 21-Feb-19 10:13:27

I'm jumping into the fray here as I have a relative whom I used to call Mowgli.
He used to be a child model after being scouted at a London station and has been featured in several glossy magazines and filmed by a visiting tv crew from another country.
He gets his looks from the Spanish side of my family, my maternal granny.
He is stunning.

Elegran Thu 21-Feb-19 10:13:11

Niobe was concerned because she knew of people using the word "Sabu" as an insult to Indian or Pakistani people - but I had never heard of that, not, I believe, had EllanVannin

If you have never used a word nastily yourself, or heard of it being used as an insult, and you mean it innocently, you are NOT being racist if you use it to describe someone quite factually.

There is nothing inherently objectionable in the appearance of the actor Sabu - he is indeed a handsome sight.

Jishere Thu 21-Feb-19 10:12:27

Awww tell her she is beautiful. I'm sure there is books with dark skinned characters that you can buy.
There is lots of princess, models and pop stars that do have dark skin that are absolutely stunning.
I think underneath this question she is questioning who she is?
Only you and your daughter knows I would be as open and honest as you can be.
But forever be positive if negativity ever comes her way. Build her up so she is confident in her own skin.
By the way darker skin is by far more flawless and more timeless so I don't think she will be saying this later on in life. Good luck

4allweknow Thu 21-Feb-19 10:03:09

The gene carrying the 'dark' characteristics has shown up. I know if a massive family about 50 current close relatives in Italy all the usual Mediterranean characteristics until one appeared with red hair. This flummoxed the young folk but the elders weren't all that surprised as they had heard through family tales that hundreds of years ago there was an 'intruder' in the family, this being a northern European hence the red hair. Looked really strange in a photo of the clan with one red haired being amongst all the dark hair. It's amazing what can crop up in the genes.

Mapleleaf Thu 21-Feb-19 09:25:07

What a sensible post, Buffybee.

Buffybee Thu 21-Feb-19 09:16:12

Have some people lost the plot?
Describing someone who looks like an actor in features and colour is not racist in any way.
Are we not able to describe someone now?
If we described someone as the skin and hair colour of Nicole Kidman, that would be ok?
But if we describe someone as looking like an actor who is not white, we can't do it?
Some people throw around the racist comment too easily.
Racism is prejudice, discrimination or antagonism of someone of a different race.
There was none of that in EV's post, she described her Gs as looking like Sabu the actor.
Explain why that is racist!

Elegran Thu 21-Feb-19 08:42:04

EllanVannin's great-grandson has genetic inheritance from eight lines at her generation. Each of those lines double at each generation back. His colouring could come from any source at all - it is whatever he was dealt from the pack of genetic cards available from his parents.

LullyDully Thu 21-Feb-19 08:26:34

Morgana a more practical thought. There are some picture books with positive images of children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
One that comes to mind is Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keates. That author has produced several books and they are all great without being too patronising. If you buy from the dreaded Amazon they will suggest other books suitable with positive illustrations.
Then you can cuddle up and have a chat while reading the book.

annep1 Wed 20-Feb-19 21:48:55

school!

annep1 Wed 20-Feb-19 21:48:10

Firstly I saw nothing wrong with EVs remark. It was simply descriptive. Isn't it strange how family genes can emerge generations later? I understand what you are saying about school problems. It happened to my niece's son. Thankfully it stopped as he got older.
Do some folk have to be so argumentative and unpleasant?
Secondly, the OP. I understand your feelings but possibly its just wanting to be like mummy. Like others I think its important to let her know she is beautiful as she is, just like daddy, and keep telling her how wonderful she is and how much you love her. As others say there are lots of mixed race families that she will meet when she starts schook.

Chewbacca Wed 20-Feb-19 21:39:11

Sabu certainly was a stunningly good looking young man. For those who don't remember him, I've attached a photograph. And if your GS looks anything like him Ellan, he's going to be a very handsome young man.

Not sure why you're annoyed about a young boy being likened to Sabu Niobe? Sabu was a very popular, and quite famous, film actor. Why is saying that someone resembles him an insult?

lemongrove Wed 20-Feb-19 21:32:40

Niobe there is no racial prejudice on this thread.

lemongrove Wed 20-Feb-19 21:31:10

What’s wrong with you Lily65 always looking for something to complain about!
Sabu was the acting name of a boy from various films in the past, and a stunning one too.
Ellan there may be Spanish heritage in your background perhaps?

Niobe Wed 20-Feb-19 21:31:09

Elegran, when we were growing up "Sabu" was often used as an insult directed at Indian or Pakistani children. I never heard anyone called"Nat King Cole" in an insulting way because the word they used was the 'N' word.

Chewbacca Wed 20-Feb-19 21:29:44

Morgana, I can easily understand that your GD's comment has distressed you but I don't think you should take it to heart. My GD told me, only yesterday, that she didn't like having curly hair; she wanted it to be straight and then it "wouldn't hurt when you brush it". In time, she will learn to love the way she is; just as your lovely GD will.

LilyOn 2 separate threads this evening you've called one poster "thick" and told another to "shut up" and "they're beyond tedious". Entering into a discussion to debate isn't a strong suit of yours is it? Do you fall out with people on every thread you go on? hmm

EllanVannin Wed 20-Feb-19 21:22:50

Probably, Elegran. Love NatKing Cole.

Lily65 Wed 20-Feb-19 21:20:14

A completely different conversation. A black man born to black parents ( who incidentally suffered racial abuse)

Not the same as describing a child born of blonde, Anglo Saxon parents as "like Sabu from the junglefilms"

Elegran Wed 20-Feb-19 21:10:44

I've just seen a Facebook link to a Youtube video of Nat King Cole. If I said someone looked like him, would Lily accuse me of racism too? A very good-looking man who also looked nice - and he could sing too!

EllanVannin Wed 20-Feb-19 20:59:35

I fail to see what's wrong in describing someone who looks like Sabu. It's a compliment as far as I'm concerned, being his proud GGmother !

EllanVannin Wed 20-Feb-19 20:57:35

Jalima---exactly. Although I say it myself, his looks are something else.

Lily65 Wed 20-Feb-19 20:56:07

oh and OP, nice story

Lily65 Wed 20-Feb-19 20:54:55

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Lily65 Wed 20-Feb-19 20:54:02

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Jalima1108 Wed 20-Feb-19 20:53:25

Well, if EV meant Sabu the actor, it is a real compliment as he was stunningly handsome (I would say beautiful).

How lovely, Ellan, he must be a gorgeous boy.