I feel like kids in general, not just African-American kids, are
I feel like kids in general, not just African-American kids, are influenced by what they see, both positive and negative.
The words of Curtis Granderson—“I feel like kids in general, not just African-American kids, are influenced by what they see, both positive and negative”—resound with the wisdom of one who knows the tender and impressionable nature of youth. He speaks to the truth that the eyes of children are wide open, that their minds are like fertile fields, ready to be sown with seeds of hope or despair, of virtue or corruption. What they see, they imitate. What they are shown, they believe to be possible. In this lies both danger and promise: the shaping of the future by the visions of the present.
The origin of this truth is as ancient as humanity itself. In every age, elders have known that children learn less from words than from examples. A thousand sermons may fade, but one living example—whether of kindness or cruelty—etches itself deeply upon the soul. This is why the ancients placed such weight upon the training of the young, for they understood that the world of tomorrow is but the reflection of what children behold today. The positive shapes them toward greatness, while the negative may chain them to cycles of despair.
Consider the story of Frederick Douglass, born into slavery. As a boy, he witnessed both the brutality of oppression and the rare kindness of those who dared to teach him to read. The negative sights might have crushed his spirit, but the positive image of knowledge as power gave him a vision of freedom. What he saw shaped who he became: an orator, a liberator, a voice for justice. His life proves Granderson’s words—that the influences surrounding children can mark their souls for a lifetime, whether to captivity or to freedom.
Or reflect on Anne Frank, whose youthful eyes saw both the terror of war and the quiet strength of her family. Shut away in hiding, she still absorbed images of courage, love, and hope, which blossomed in her writing. Though surrounded by the negative shadow of hatred, she clung to the positive examples of resilience and humanity within her small world. Her diary remains a testament to the enduring truth that even in the darkest conditions, what a child sees can become a torch for generations to follow.
The meaning of Granderson’s words is thus not bound by race or circumstance, but universal. All kids—whether in the city, the village, or the home—are mirrors reflecting what is placed before them. Show them violence, and they may grow hardened. Show them compassion, and they may grow gentle. Show them corruption, and they may follow the path of greed. Show them honor, and they may rise to be leaders. The positive and the negative are both teachers, but it is our duty as elders to determine which lessons they will learn.
The lesson is clear: those who guide the young must live as examples worth imitating. Words are not enough; children must see lives of integrity, kindness, courage, and perseverance. If you are a parent, your conduct is the greatest book your child will ever read. If you are a teacher, coach, or elder, your actions will shape destinies long after your voice is silent. Every gesture, every choice, every deed is a seed cast into the soil of the next generation.
Practical wisdom calls us to act. Surround kids with role models who uplift, who live the values they preach. Guard what they watch, what they hear, what they see, for these will become the foundation of their character. Do not only shield them from the negative, but also flood their lives with the positive—stories of heroes, acts of kindness, visions of possibility. And above all, let your own life be such an example, for in your shadow they walk, and in your light they grow.
Thus, let Granderson’s words be carried as a sacred reminder: the eyes of children are windows to the future. If they behold goodness, they will carry it forward. If they behold evil, they may repeat its cycle. Our charge, then, is to live so that when the young look upon us, they see not hypocrisy, but hope—not despair, but dignity. For in their gaze lies the fate of tomorrow, and in our example lies their destiny.
Nnqbinh
Granderson’s observation highlights the importance of exposure to positive influences for children. But in a world where so much of the media and culture glorifies negativity, how can we effectively combat this and ensure that kids grow up with healthier perspectives? What strategies can we use to create environments where children are uplifted and inspired?
Mmanh
Curtis Granderson’s comment also makes me think about the deeper impact of representation. If kids are primarily influenced by what they see, should we be more intentional in the way we depict different cultures, backgrounds, and values in media? How can we make sure that all children, no matter their race, have access to positive and diverse role models?
TLTruong Thành Lọi
I agree with Granderson that kids are influenced by what they see, but I’m curious—how do we start changing the narrative in a world filled with negative examples, especially in media and pop culture? How can we create more space for positive, diverse representations that can help guide children in a more constructive direction?
HLTran Hoang Linh
Granderson's point about children being influenced by both positive and negative factors makes me wonder about the responsibility of society in shaping these influences. Are we doing enough to highlight the role of education, media, and community in guiding kids toward positive growth? How can we shift the balance toward healthier, more positive exposure for all children?
THTran Hien
It’s interesting that Granderson points out how kids, in general, are shaped by their environment. How much of this influence is shaped by external factors like media, and how much comes from personal or familial experiences? Can we do more to create environments where kids, regardless of race, are exposed to both positive and empowering influences?