"当你是个小孩子时，你不会注意到肤色，而且我从未在意过我的朋友是黑人。"

As kids, we don't really notice differences like the color of someone's skin. It's all about just being friends and having fun. Back then, the idea that some of my friends were black wasn’t something I even thought about. We were too busy playing games, sharing snacks, and making up stories.

This kind of innocence and acceptance is something that often fades as we grow older. As children, our minds are like blank slates. We aren’t born with prejudices; these are learned behaviors. Unfortunately, society has a way of teaching us to notice and often wrongly judge these differences. When you're young, you're more interested in whether someone wants to play tag or build a fort than in what they look like.

Take a moment and think about a time in history when this kind of innocent acceptance was really put to the test. During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, people were fighting for the basic rights that many of us take for granted today. Imagine a little white boy and a black boy becoming best friends in a time when society was trying to keep them apart. They didn't see the color of each other's skin; they just saw a friend.

Let’s bring this idea into a modern-day example. Think about a classroom where kids from all kinds of backgrounds come together. There’s a school in a diverse part of town where kids from different races and religions mix. They don’t care about the things that seem to divide adults. They share their lunches, giggle over silly jokes, and look out for each other. One day, a new student from another country joins the class. The teacher might worry about how well she’ll fit in, but the kids? They just want to know if she likes to play soccer or if she has any cool toys.

So how can we take this wisdom and apply it to our own lives? Start by challenging your own assumptions and prejudices. When you meet someone new, focus on the things that make them unique as a person, not the labels society might put on them. It’s about seeing the world through that same clear lens you had as a child. Encourage your kids to do the same. Teach them to be open-minded and kind, to look at the heart of a person rather than the surface.

Imagine you’re at a community event. You see a kid on the playground who looks like they might be from a different country. Instead of worrying about how to approach them, think about what you might have done as a kid. You’d probably just start a game and invite them to join. It’s that simple.

You know, I remember a story an old friend told me. He grew up in a very mixed neighborhood. There were kids of all races and backgrounds, and no one cared. They all played together, learned together, and grew up together. As adults, they stayed close. They realized that those early friendships taught them to appreciate people for who they are, not what they look like.

So next time you’re in a situation where you might feel a bit awkward about differences, think back to those childhood days. Remember that at our core, we’re all just people looking for connection and friendship. It’s not about the color of someone’s skin but the content of their character. Embrace that childlike innocence and see everyone as a potential friend.