Columnist Intro: Tereza
by Anti-Racist Parent columnist Tereza Topferova
I am a white parent of a white toddler in the whitest major city in the U.S. Carmen’s work has inspired me to commit to putting anti-racist education and parenting at the center of my life. I am honored to have been asked to write about my experiences here on Anti-Racist Parent.
Growing up in the Czech Republic, where whites make up about 97% of the population, I was sheltered from the concepts of race and racial diversity. Under communism, I was also almost entirely sheltered from consumerism as well as American media, though, of course exposed to a different kind of propaganda. My family, critical of the system, taught me to question the messages to which I’m exposed. I lived for fourteen years in a largely homogeneous society, which I now recognize to be permeated with deep-seated racism.
As a child, I didn’t think about race. It was when my family immigrated to the U.S. and I began attending high school, where I was one of approximately five white students, that race became one of the central issues of my life. Throughout high school, my best friend was a black girl from Ethiopia. She and I talked and joked freely about race and race relations. This was my first opportunity to reflect with another person on the questions of race. I have continued since to learn about race and racism in high school, college, and beyond from peers, authors, teachers, and others. It’s interesting to note that during the first stage of my immersion into a multicultural society, I was extremely ignorant and naive, but I did feel completely free to pursue friendships with just about anyone and say whatever was on my mind. This, of course, wasn’t always a good thing. The more blunders I made and the more I learned, the more reserved and fearful I became of attempting to bridge the racial divides, which I quickly internalized.
I have lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, but it has taken me this long to finally begin to be able to put my finger on some of the things I have experienced and observed here. The new phase of my life, as I see it now, is about continuing to learn (and unlearn much of what I’ve internalized), but also about talking about this process, taking a stance, and following through with action. Though I may have once been a stranger in this land, this is my home now. And I do come from Europe, the cradle of white supremacy. And because I am beginning to see clearly how racism plays out, it is my responsibility to work towards racial justice. I vow to continue doing internal work, an essential step towards becoming an anti-racist parent, and to couple this with action in a more public sphere. I look forward to dialoging with others on issues of anti-racist parenting. Thanks for having me!
Tereza Topferova is a teacher, who has worked with both youth and adults, teaching English, Czech, speech, journalism, creative writing, workplace communication, and vocational education. She grew up in the Czech Republic and immigrated to the U.S. at age fourteen. She is a mother of a toddler and blogs at White Anti-Racist Parent.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Jae Ran wrote:
Tereza,
I am really excited to see you here on ARP and I can’t wait to read more about your experiences and insights into anti-racist parenting. Welcome!
Posted 04 Apr 2007 at 7:30 am ¶
Andy wrote:
You say that the Czech Republic is 97% White. Why do you say that as it is a bad thing? What’s wrong with that? After all, that country is in Europe, and Europe is the home of White people.
Do you also complain that Asia is over 97% Asian or Africa is over 98% Black or the Middle-East is over 97% Brown?
Posted 04 Apr 2007 at 8:05 am ¶
daddyinastrangeland wrote:
Been lurking on your WARP site, great stuff going on there. Welcome aboard! It’s good to have your voice here.
Posted 04 Apr 2007 at 9:01 am ¶
Caren wrote:
Andy - I didn’t get at ALL that she was saying it was a bad thing. I read it as a fact, that it has played a part in her racial awareness. Someone raised in that environment would have vastly different experiences than someone raised in southern Georgia, USA. Not good or bad — just different.
Tereza - I got chills when I read “…because I am beginning to see clearly how racism plays out, it is my responsibility to work towards racial justice.” WOW! I am taking a class now on raising awareness of black/white relations in my city and exploring my own racial thoughts and beliefs. Your words came at a perfect time in my journey. Glad you’re here!!
Posted 04 Apr 2007 at 9:52 am ¶
Kim wrote:
Tereza…
Warm welcome to you.
Posted 04 Apr 2007 at 2:53 pm ¶
cloudscome wrote:
Welcom Tereza! I was intrigued when you said “It’s interesting to note that during the first stage of my immersion into a multicultural society, I was extremely ignorant and naive, but I did feel completely free to pursue friendships with just about anyone and say whatever was on my mind.” I think that is a unique perspective. You were able to act from a “beginner’s mind” and explore a mixed race culture without the baggage a lot of us carry. I am looking forward to your future posts!
Posted 04 Apr 2007 at 3:00 pm ¶
Tereza wrote:
Thanks, everyone! I am thrilled to have found this community. And thanks Caren for your clarification for Andy. You’re spot on.
One additional thing I would say to you, Andy, is that Europe is a multicultural continent and is not just “the home of White people;” it’s the home of people of many different races and ethnicities, and it’s about time that it was widely recognized as such.
Posted 05 Apr 2007 at 12:12 am ¶
Kohana wrote:
Welcome Tereza, I look forward to hearing your perspective!
Posted 05 Apr 2007 at 5:22 pm ¶
Meera Bowman-Johnson wrote:
Welcome, Tereza! Wow, our boys look like the perfect age to be playmates (or at the very least, parallel playmates! LOL :)) I appreciate your dedication to the subject of anti-racist parenting and look forward to exchanging viewpoints with you.
Posted 05 Apr 2007 at 8:49 pm ¶
Tereza wrote:
Meera, parallel playmates - very true! I’ve enjoyed your posts. I must confess that I actually went to Bard, so I know your area well. That was a while back. Thanks for your note here
Posted 06 Apr 2007 at 12:02 am ¶
Denise wrote:
Looking forward to hearing from you Tereza… cute son!
Posted 06 Apr 2007 at 6:48 am ¶
Vera L wrote:
Welcome, Tereza. It’ll be wonderful to have your perspective added to the conversation.
Posted 06 Apr 2007 at 12:50 pm ¶
Alexandra wrote:
Welcome! Every new voice makes this blog more wonderful!
Posted 06 Apr 2007 at 10:12 pm ¶