Learn how to cook foods from other cultures. Eating can be a great way to show your commitment to diversity. When your children see that you not only enjoy eating other foods from ethnic restaurants but desire to learn how to cook them, some barriers that were never thought of disappear. But it's not just the actual cooking of the meal that is important. Often obtaining some of the key ingredients for the meal entails shopping at an ethnic supermarket. Bringing your children with you provides another way of exposing them to new things while also showing them that you are not afraid to shop at a new place (and return to that place in the future). It breaks down the artificial separation that sometimes exists in terms of proximity and community space. This also provides a double lesson, both about diversity and about learning how to cook!

Expose yourself to diverse forms of media, art, and music. Though it is a good start to expose yourself to different types of popular music, this isn't the real message here. Knowing some of the history of people of diverse backgrounds in the arts might be a better illustration. Learning about the sculpture work of Martin Puryear or the artwork of Rodolfo Gonzalez might provide the springboard for a larger discussion. Most meaningful works of art carry with them important insight that will provide a greater appreciation of the world around us. It is one thing to take your children to an exhibit on Chicano art, it is another thing to attend that same exhibit AND be able to explain to your children the motivations and life of Rodolfo Gonzalez and his important role in the Chicano Movement. A parent who demonstrates such an appreciation is making the statement to their children that what they are being exposed to is important and meaningful. 

Sponsor someone or volunteer at a cultural event. Obviously sponsoring a young person from another country gives as direct a message about diversity as one can provide, but logistically this isn't realistic for many people. Volunteering at a cultural event demonstrates to your children that you hold the celebration of diversity up to be such a high priority that you are willing to work to help that event run smoothly. Your children will again see how you break down the artificial barriers that sometimes are constructed between people who are different. How about taking it one step further and joining a group in the community that promotes cultural awareness?

There are many other ways to model your own appreciation of diversity- these suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg. Taking creative steps to broaden your own horizons can only lead you down a positive path that garners not only a greater appreciation of the world around you but provides your children with a role model by which they can build their own diversity appreciation toolbox when they are parents themselves.

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Would you like to learn more about modeling diversity? One article we recommend is Developing a Positive Racial Identity. Although written for families created through transracial adoption, the lessons it contains are useful for all parents in understanding the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which race affects our lives.

In addition, the following sites offer excellent tips for parents:

• What Can Parents Do To Teach Their Children About Tolerance?
• Messages for Parents: Embracing Diversity 
• Ten Ways to Nurture Tolerance
• Talk to Kids About Tolerance

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