I don't think I was either taught or told.

I was taught that people are all people. We're all alike far, far more than we are different.

And I was taught to be kind.

And I was taught not to judge a book by its cover.

And more than all, I was taught not to believe anything I was taught, and to check it all out for myself.

And I did check it all out, as best I could, and some things didn't check out, but those four things all checked out.

So when I finally heard about "racism" as a thing, my thought was...how stupid. Why would anyone think things like that?! Grownups, even?!?! How embarrassing! How can some grownups be so dumb?

I'm still trying to figure out that last one.