Sitter has teaching moment

Dear Amy: I am a 16-year-old girl and have a part-time job as a baby sitter. Every day is an adventure, learning about these kids.

Recently, I have become aware of their stereotypes about Latinos. Coming from a Latino family (although my skin is white), I get offended by this.

Recently, while walking home, a van with Latino men passed by. One of the boys made a comment about how these men had “probably just robbed a house.” I was shocked and didn’t know what to say. Is it my place to say anything?

Is it my place to judge a child’s stereotype?

Confused

Dear Confused: You should speak up when the kids do or say something inappropriate, because when you are with them, you are in charge.

It’s OK to say, “Hey guys, it’s not nice and it’s not fair to make assumptions about people. You seem to think all Hispanic people are bad or scary, but you’re wrong.”

If you want to let them know how and why you take this personally, your ethnicity could provide a handy “teachable moment,” but ethnic stereotypes are offensive, no matter the ethnicity of the person hearing them.

Send questions to Amy Dickinson by e-mail to askamy@tribune.com.