Final answer:
Racism is learned at a young age and is not innate. It is reinforced through various societal norms and practices, including in educational settings, where implicit biases and systemic inequities can be perpetuated, thus affirming that children receive messages about racism from an early age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Racism is a social construct that involves a set of beliefs regarding perceived racial superiority and inferiority, leading to systems of domination, unequal privilege, resources, and power. It is not innate but rather learned at a young age through various means such as direct instruction, socialization, observation, and the adoption of societal norms. As children develop, they are exposed to various messages that can contribute to the formation of racist beliefs and attitudes. This can be seen in schooling practices where, for example, 'honors' and 'gifted' programs may disproportionately include White students while Black and Latino students are more commonly placed in lower track classes, reinforcing implicit biases and systemic inequities.
From the examples provided, there is evidence that racism is learned early in a child's development, and that children are indeed subject to numerous messages about race, some of which reinforce racist stereotypes and support systems of racism. Furthermore, education systems that are not equitable contribute to the perpetuation of these disparities, thereby upholding systemic racism over time.