MEMPHIS, Tenn. (PIX11) — A young girl wrote a letter to another girl, explaining that her dad would not let her go to her birthday party — because the birthday girl is black.

According to WREG, the letter reads, “Maybe I will not be able to go to your birthday sleepover because my dad will not let me go because you are black.”

The birthday sleepover was for Harmony Jones. When her father, Christopher Jones, saw the letter, he was surprised.

“It angered me a little bit, it hurt me that my 10-year-old girl had to deal with this, and I myself never thought I would have to deal with this,” Jones said. He says he doesn’t blame his daughter’s friend.

“I guess us as parents need to be more aware and conscious about what we teach our children,” Jones said.

The children are students at Highland Oaks Elementary. Civil rights activist Lasimba Gray told WREG that he hopes situation this turns into a teaching experience.

When Gray saw the letter he called it “regrettable” because a parent told their child it’s OK to judge someone based on the color of their skin.

“When parents run across racism that’s a good moment to teach tolerance but more than that to teach understanding to appreciate each other and celebrate our diversity,” Gray said.