What Sandra Bullock Says to Her Son About Race

Melissa Walker
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Sandra Bullock got candid about how she prepares her adopted, African-American son, Louis, 5, to deal with racism as he grows up, in a new interview with BET.

“It’s not a conversation any parent wants to have with their child, that you’ll be judged by the color of your skin rather than the content of your character, but [racism] exists,” Bullock said on Monday. “And I want him to be safe, I want him to be aware once he leaves that house and I’m not with him it’s his life.”

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Bullock has the right idea. Julie J. Park, assistant professor of education at the University of Maryland, College Park, tells Yahoo Parenting that being proactive about discussing race with kids is a good thing. “The ideal time is when a child notices or makes reference to it, which can happen as early as 3 or 4,” she says.

Bullock echoed this sentiment in the BET interview: “I think if you don’t start the conversation very early on you’re doing them a disservice. I’ve said it before: I can’t ride in a bubble with him.”

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If parents don’t discuss race, Park warns that they might be sending the message that it’s something to be silent about. “Oftentimes parents will use generic messages around race not mattering, but that shoves a very relevant topic under the table,” she says. “It is positive to address how race and culture influence our world while also addressing that all humans have dignity and value.”

For families like Bullock’s, where parent and child have different racial backgrounds, Park says discussions may take place even earlier than 3, as it’s natural for children to be curious about why their skin color is different from their mom or dad. “Parents can be open about talking about race and how it shapes people’s lives while affirming that their love for their children is infinite and not based on skin color,” says Park.

And if your kids have already passed those early ages, there’s still time for a conversation, even if a child is 6 or 16. “Kids can learn a lot from seeing the parents become comfortable talking about race.”

It sounds like Louis already gets the real talk from his mom. “It’s an open conversation we have,” Bullock said. “I want to know that I did the best I could as his mom to educate him on the ugliness in the world and also the beauty.”

Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty, 2011


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