ABSTRACT
Children's reality is no exception: it is also subjectively created and personally meaningful. But personal realities are not totally internal. Individuals also rely on others' perceptions in order to construct personal realities. For black children, particularly those at economic disadvantage, this is a particularly critical factor in their perception and creation of the
self. To what extent does society function on preconceived ideas about
black, disadvantaged children? Can we distinguish between our realities and ways of seeing and theirs? Is it possible to understand and accept that
what is "real" to one is not necessarily so to another? An African proverb
states, "Let him speak who has seen with his eyes," (Leslau, 1985, p. 18).
While this makes common sense, it is not sufficient. To understand black
