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Padma Lakshmi Has Discussed Racism with Her Daughter “All Through Her Childhood”
"I think it's better to do it with children in small doses all through their lives," explained the Top Chef host.
Bravo’s Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is raising her 10-year-old daughter to understand racism and inequality. Padma recently explained that she has been having important conversations with her daughter, who she lovingly refers to as “Little Hands,” for quite some time.
“This is a subject that we have talked about all through her childhood. She’s a biracial child, she’s also someone who’s traveled extensively with me, not only domestically but internationally,” Padma told Page Six. “So she’s very aware of these issues of inequality, also because of my work with the ACLU, I’ve been able to take her to rallies and things like that.”
While Padma has always made sure to discuss racism with her daughter, she noted that it’s a conversation she takes in smaller steps.
“I try to expose her to as much in an age appropriate way, it’s not always a perfect science,” Padma explained. “I think it’s better to do it with children in small doses all through their lives than, ‘OK we have to hurry and bring them up to speed.’”
In an interview with the Washington Post, Padma said that she is educating her daughter on her Indian culture, as well as Jewish traditions from her father’s side. She takes classical Indian vocal lessons, which has proven to be extremely meaningful to Padma.
“To hear my daughter’s voice singing devotional songs that I haven’t heard sung live since my grandfather sang to me when I was 7 or 8 years old is a joy that is so exquisite,” she explained. “It’s just something very deep, that is further than language.”
