When I was younger I found this television show called The Puzzle Place.  It was designed for preschool/elementary school kids, but I was a high school student when I discovered it.  It was unlike any other show I had seen growing up.  The Puzzle Place was about children (in the form of puppets) from various diverse backgrounds.  The show set out to teach people about their traditions, history and culture. They would teach each other about the various holidays, music and family traditions.  It had such an impact on me that I used it as an example for one of my school projects.

Today there is so much ignorance toward others because of their race, religion and other differences. Some are brought up in an environment that teaches them to hate others for no other reason than they don’t look, live or act like them.   One of the most famous quotes from Martin Luther King is “ I have decided to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to bear.”  It takes so much energy to hate someone whether it’s based on race or any other reason.  Take the time to learn about one another.  You will find that we are more alike than we are different.  Our differences make us beautiful and should be celebrated.   They should not be used as an excuse to divide us.

It’s disappointing to see the hate and division in our country.   People seem to believe in stereotypes or propaganda instead of taking the time to talk to others.   Start the conversation.  Take the time to learn from and about one another.   Take the time to celebrate one another.  Learn to love one another.    I don’t know what children’s programs are out there to celebrate diversity in the way that Puzzle Place did (Sesame Street does encourage it), but teach your children that love is better than hate.  Encourage them to learn, and not to alienate those who are different from them.  Stand up for what is right, and teach them to do the same.