In a time of racial turmoil in America, Sandra Bullock keeps conversations frank when it comes to teaching her son Louis Bardo Bullock.
In an interview with BET, the Oscar winner admitted to keeping her toddler informed about issues he may face on the basis of his skin color, particularly during a turbulent time in race relations in the United States.
"It's an open conversation we have. He fully understands what that means," the single mother said without skipping a beat. "He doesn't understand why people judge each other based on color of their skin, but he knows they do. He also knows there's sexism, he knows that there's homophobia."
Bullock adopted Louis, who is black, from New Orleans in January 2010 while surrounded by scandal following her ex-husband Jesse James' public apology for his infidelity and impending divorce.
While the Our Brand is Crisis actress is adamant about having these conversations early, she also cautions against having a jaded perspective.
"I want him to know the truth, but I also want him to know the good in the world as well," she said. "Those are hard conversations to have. It's not any conversation any parent wants to have with their child...that you'll be judged by the color of your skin rather than the content of your character. But, it exists and I want him to be safe and I want him to be aware."
The 51-year-old single mother notes that while these kinds of conversations are crucial between parents and children, it's equally as essential to maintain a balance.
"I think if you don't start the conversation early on, you're doing them a disservice," she said. "Once he leaves that house and I'm not with him, it's his life and how he approaches it is his decision. But, I want to know that I did the best I could as his mom to educate him on the ugliness in the world, and also the beauty."