I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla

This superb, rational, and highly readable volume answers a deeplyfelt need. Parents and educators alike have long struggled tounderstand what meanings race might have for the very young, andfor ways to insure that every child grows up with a healthy senseof self. Marguerite Wright handles sensitive issues with consummateclarity, practicality, and hope. Here we have an indispensableguide that will doubtless prove a classic. --Edward Zigler, sterling professor of psychology and director,Yale Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy A child's concept of race is quite different from that of an adult.Young children perceive skin color as magical--even changeable--andunlike adults, are incapable of understanding adult predjudicessurrounding race and racism. Just as children learn to walk andtalk, they likewise come to understand race in a series ofpredictable stages. Based on Marguerite A. Wright's research and clinical experience,I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla teaches us that the color-blindnessof early childhood can, and must, be taken advantage of in order toguide the positive development of a child's self-esteem. Wright answers some fundamental questions about children and raceincluding: * What do children know and understand about the color of theirskin? * When do children understand the concept of race? * Are there warning signs that a child is being adversely affectedby racial prejudice? * How can adults avoid instilling in children their own negativeperceptions and prejudices? * What can parents do to prepare their children to overcome theracism they are likely to encounter? * How can schools lessen the impact of racism? With wisdom and compassion, I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla spellsout how to educate black and biracial children about race, whilepreserving their innate resilience and optimism--the birthright ofall children.

"This book is useful for all parents who want their children togrow up with healthy attitudes in a world that uses race toseparate human beings. . . . A worthwhile read." "This superb, rational, and highly readable volume answers a deeplyfelt need. Parents and educators alike have long struggled tounderstand what meanings race might have for the very young, andfor ways to ensure that every child grows up with a healthy senseof self. Marguerite Wright handles sensitive issues with consummateclarity, practicality, and hope. Here we have an indispensableguide that will doubtless prove a classic." (Edward Zigler, Ph.D.,sterling professor of psychology and director, Yale Bush Center inChild Development and Social Policy) "Here, at last, is an intelligent, well-researched and provocative,yet also comforting and reassuring book of advice. For parents whoare trying to raise emotionally healthy children in a raciallypolarized world, Marguerite Wright has performed a timely andtremAndous public service." (Clarence E. Page, syndicatedcolumnist, The Chicago Tribune) "As I read Dr. Wright's book, I was reminded of what it's like topeel an onion. Layer after layer, the book uncovers the complexissues surrounding race and children. With wisdom and compassion,she explains how black and biracial children perceive color andrace. But, most importantly, she gives us guidelines we need toraise healthy and happy children in our race conscious world. Anexcellent primer for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone whois concerned with the future of our children." (Belva Davis,reporter, KRON-TV, San Francisco) "In her book, Marguarite Wright uses a wealth of examples from herwork with children and families and offers a creative array ofsuggestions and strategies for raising health black and biracialchildren. This book is a much-needed guide for rearing children ina society that is all too conscious about race." (Tony Paap,president and CEO, Children's Hospital Oakland) "Finally, a practical and intelligent discussion of a complex issuethat is so frequently misunderstood. All those who want to raisehealthy children who have a positive sense of themselves can gainvaluable lessons from this book." (Pedro Noguera, professor ofeducation, University of California, Berkeley) "This is simply the best book I've ever read on raising or teachingminority children. It's short . . . filled with memorableobservations and useful advice." (Joe Morris, professor anddirector, School of Psychology, California State University,Northridge)

MARGUERITE WRIGHT is the senior clinical and research psychologist for the Center for the Vulnerable Child at Children's Hospital in Oakland, California. Wright lives with her husband and four children in Berkeley, California.