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Teaching equality
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As a parent, I think one of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is to accept others, even if they are different from us. It can be frightening and difficult for some to embrace those that they do not understand. Instead of reaching out in friendship or even in curiosity to learn more, many take the easier way out and turn away or even worse, lash out. But just because you do not understand someone else is no reason to hate or discriminate.
This is something that I have strived to teach my children, and as such, it is hard to explain to them why others do not follow the same credence. With the recent local election results here in Maine, I am saddened to have to rationalize why certain citizens of our country are not afforded the same rights as the rest.
I believe the human race is trying, slowly and painfully, to grow. Women had to fight for equality as well as various religious and ethnic groups from the Irish to Jews to African Americans and now the gay/lesbian community. Obviously I am not listing these in a specific timeline or all of those that have had to face their particular struggles, but my point is that each seems to have a distinct turning point where realization hits and there is a conscious shift in understanding. I am hoping that in spite of this set back, we can continue to move forward to a place of acceptance.
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