The First Time My Daughter Faced Racism — And the Silence That Followed

My daughter’s first experience with racism happened when she was just six months old. We were at a GP practice, waiting for an appointment, when a little white boy turned to his mother and said — and I quote — "Mummy, we don't like brown people, do we?"

His words hung heavy in the air. His mother’s face immediately turned bright red, but she said nothing — no apology, no correction, no words at all. She simply got up and left abruptly, avoiding any acknowledgment of what had just happened.

It was a moment that stayed with me. My daughter was far too young to understand what had been said, but as her mother, I felt the sting deeply. It was a harsh reminder that racism isn’t something children are born with — it’s something they are taught, whether through words, silence, or inaction.

This experience was the first of many difficult truths I knew I would one day have to explain to her: that sometimes people will make judgments about her without ever knowing her, simply because of the color of her skin.

With that being said as a parent of Black children, one of the hardest conversations to have is the one about race — the moment you have to explain that the world may not always treat them fairly simply because of the color of their skin. It’s a painful truth, but one that’s necessary to prepare them for the realities they may face.

For me, this conversation isn’t a single moment; it’s an ongoing dialogue that evolves as my child grows. I first brought it up when my daughter was around 7 years old, in a way that was age-appropriate but honest. I wanted her to understand that while there is so much beauty and pride in who she is, not everyone will see it that way. Some people may judge her without ever knowing her, simply because of how she looks.

It was important to approach the conversation with a balance of truth and hope. I emphasized that although racism exists, it doesn’t define who she is or what she can achieve. I made sure she knew she is powerful, brilliant, and loved — and that she comes from a long line of people who have overcome incredible obstacles with resilience and grace.

The conversation about race isn’t a one-time "talk," but an ongoing journey of teaching, listening, and empowering. It’s about giving my daughter the tools to navigate a world that might not always be fair, while making sure she never forgets her worth and the strength of her identity.