leilani324/InstagramA little girl has become a viral internet sensation after schooling an icky grown-up about diversity.
Sophia, a two-year-old from South Carolina, was asked to reconsider her choice of doll in a Target store by a member of staff.
‘Why?’ I hear you ask. Because of the difference in their skin colour.
GIPHYWhen Sophia got to pick a present from the toy store for reaching the pinnacle of potty-trained expertise, the little girl picked a doctor doll to quench her obsession with becoming a doctor herself.
But that wasn’t good enough for the adult at Target, to whom Sophia sweetly explained tolerance and anti-racist sentiments in that perfectly simple way only children know how.
Sophia’s mum, Brandi Brenner was so proud of her daughter’s display of love, she shared the story on Instagram.
GIPHYBrandi recalled the whole sorry incident, writing:
While we were checking out, the cashier asked Sophia if she was going to a birthday party. We both gave her a blank stare. She then pointed to the doll and asked Sophia if she picked her out for a friend.
Sophia continued to stare blankly and I let the cashier know that she was a prize for Sophia being fully potty trained. The woman gave me a puzzled look and turned to Sophia and asked: “Are you sure this is the doll you want, honey?”
Sophia finally found her voice and said: “Yes, please!” The cashier replied: “But she doesn’t look like you. We have lots of other dolls that look more like you.”
GIPHYBrandi described how her anger subsided when Sophia stepped up to the plate:
I immediately became angry.
But before I could say anything, Sophia responded with: “Yes, she does. She’s a doctor like I’m a doctor. And I’m a pretty girl and she’s a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? And see her stethoscope?”
Brandi concluded:
This experience just confirmed my belief that we aren’t born with the idea that colour matters. Skin comes in different colours just like hair and eyes and every shade is beautiful.
Yet again, a bright young spark has proven what most of us already know – people aren’t born racist and we can teach people to unlearn their unsavoury points of view.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.