We look to assign the qualities of dignity, equality, excellence and respect at all times when engaging with our children of color.
When children, from the youngest age, realize (and they do) that they are not worthy of dignity, excellent, equality and respect there is a long-term message sent to them that they begin to believe about themselves. Without ever needing to be told, they get that they are different and not equal; that they somehow do not merit the excellence and respect conferred upon other children, by default. It is critically damaging to their self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth.
From the earliest age they begin to believe that they are not worthy. They learn self-derision rather than self-love, they settle for less, they settle for striving for less, they settle for being okay with never being on top.
Dignity: Elevation of character; worthiness; a sign of respect an individual sense of worth and value. he state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect.
Excellence: the quality of being outstanding or extremely good; the quality of being excellent.
Equality: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. correspondence in quantity, degree,value, rank, or ability:
Respect: a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important; a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important… and should be treated in an appropriate way.