By Randi McCreary.
Nani Crumley speaks both English and French, has a rich cultural background that includes Caucasian, African American, and Phillipino, and traveled around the globe to places like Rome, Athens, St. Thomas, and Cairo. But the real surprise about Nani Crumley is that she’s only six. An expressive, talkative young girl, Nani’s mother Allison describes her as a friendly person that always enjoys including everyone in every activity. This could be highly due to the values Allison has put in place for her family; values that will help raise her daughter in a way that enriches her spirit, intellect, and confidence.
Allison, values family, and a large part of defining family is providing influential and uplifting experiences. This reinforces a broad perception of what the world has to teach and offer. Allison wants Nani to embrace at a young age, an understanding of how the world is connected. Having attended grade school at Academie Lafayette, a French Immersion school in Kansas City, Missouri, Allison knew she wanted her child to have the same opportunity.
“Being fully immersed, you use your brain in a different way and learn to think differently because you're exposed to so many different cultures, attitudes, and beliefs,” says Allison. “She’s already learned that different countries have different ways of approaching school situations and how they interact with children. I hope she learns to appreciate other people's cultures and not be judgmental”
Diseases like ignorance, prejudice, and racism are things usually taught at home. Family teaches our children life’s most important lessons. Learning not only right from wrong, but to respect yourself, while living in the acknowledgement of others choices, customs, and traditions. Allison remembers a time when classmates teased her in elementary school because she was Caucasian and Phillipino. The foundation at home with her father teaching her to make sure the family stayed close and learned as much about the world as possible; a value Allison passed down to Nani, was too strong to sway her.
What better way to understand cultural differences than to travel? For Allison, travel is a value that gives Nani the tools to relate to her environment. ”Being exposed to other parts of the world helps her appreciate the differences in our community,” says Allison.
A belief Allison shares with Nani by taking her to Turkey, Barcelona, and Malta to provide a unique and wide view of the world at a very young age, which will only set the tone for a life filled with many paths.
Featured Photo Credit: indyhiphop.com
Aritcle reprinted with permission of USAonRace.com
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