Idina Menzel’s ex-husband, Scott Leo ‘Taye’ Diggs, has been criticised for saying that he doesn’t want their son being labelled “black”.

 

The author, instead, wants six-year-old Walker Nathaniel Diggs to be known as mixed so that he is able to embrace both sides of his family. Speaking at the launch of his new children’s book, Mixed Me, Taye explains that identity isn’t a black or white thing.

 

“When you [call biracial kids black], you risk disrespecting that one half of who you are and that’s my fear,” he told The Giro.

 

“I don’t want my son to be in a situation where he calls himself black and everyone thinks he has a black mom and a black dad, and then they see a white mother, they wonder, ‘Oh, what’s going on?’" 

 

Using people’s general description of America’s president, Barack Obama, as an example, the actor, who appeared in Broadway musical Rent, says that many people are worried about using the term biracial “because who knows”.

 

“Everybody refers to him as the first black president. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that it’s interesting. It would be great if it didn’t matter and that people could call him mixed. We’re still choosing to make that decision, and that’s when I think you get into some dangerous waters," he explained.

 

The 44-year-old was subsequently criticised for his comments, and took to Instagram to clear up concerns that many of his followers expressed: 

 

 

#MixedMe

A photo posted by Taye Diggs (@tayediggsinsta) on

 

Making his stand on race identity, Taye has brought common stereotypical labels into the limelight, something that children need to be aware of. While kids are more accepting of different cultures, sometimes, in their innocence, they can say something that may leave you shocked.

 

The younger you explain and talk to your child about race the better, so here are three important tips on how to broach the topic with your child:

 

1. Stick to the facts

Don’t over-complicate things, just stick to age appropriate facts and be direct.

 

2. Don’t overreact

It’s easy to overreact when your child passes negative comment about someone’s colour, but it’s important to remember that they probably heard it elsewhere. Don’t ignore or hush them, instead, talk to them in a non-judgmental way and give them the facts.

 

3. Talk about what your child sees

It’s impossible to shield your child from everything that’s happening around them, but do try to limit the amount of negative news they see. Kids pick up on subtle messages about race fairly easily so step in and challenge stereotypes that they are exposed to.

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