From the moment we’re born, we’re absorbing the world around us. What many people don’t realize is that racial conditioning, the subconscious shaping of beliefs about race, starts in childhood. These early messages lay the groundwork for unaware racism, often without a single hateful word being spoken.
What Is Racial Conditioning
Racial conditioning refers to the subtle and overt ways children are socialized to view different racial groups. It’s not just what’s said; it’s what’s not said. Children learn by observing the behavior of adults, watching TV shows, listening to conversations, and picking up on facial expressions or tones of voice when a person of a different race is mentioned.
For example, a child notices their parent clutches their purse when a Black man walks by or hears compliments about how “beautiful” someone’s pale skin is. Over time, these repetitive cues form unconscious associations between race and worth, danger, or desirability without a single direct conversation about race taking place.
How Racism Is Transmitted Across Generations
How racism is transmitted isn’t always about explicit prejudice. It’s often passed down through what psychologists call implicit bias. This form of bias operates under the surface, influencing actions even in well-meaning families.
Consider this: a teacher may consistently call on white students more often or describe Black children as “loud” while praising white kids for being “expressive.” These experiences reinforce hierarchical thinking. When left unaddressed, these early patterns shape lifelong behavior and perception.
In many households, there’s also a fear of “talking about race,” especially in white families. Silence, however, sends its own message—that race is either dangerous, shameful, or irrelevant. All of these impressions become building blocks in the architecture of unaware racism.
Healing Begins with Awareness
The first step toward healing racial conditioning is acknowledging its existence. Adults must reflect on the messages they received in childhood and begin actively unlearning them. This means intentionally diversifying your books, media, and relationships and being willing to talk to children openly and honestly about race.
For further exploration, check out our guide to healing internalized racism and how to talk to kids about race.
Final Thoughts
Racial conditioning isn’t about blame—it’s about responsibility. When we understand how racism is transmitted, we can begin to interrupt the cycle of unaware racism. Raising conscious children starts with re-educating ourselves.