"So THAT'S why those kids look at me funny."
"Yes honey. You are different, and sometimes people don't understand different."
It's hard to explain to a kid that there are people in this world who will not accept you because of theft color of your skin. It's even harder when that child has a heart of gold, and is as innocent as the day is long. Both of my stepson are biracial. My youngest lost his mother last year to chronic illness, and now clings to me for hope, love, and explanations of how the world works. Luckily for me I grew up in a family that embraced any and every one. At any given day you could look around our dinner table and see Africa, China, Jamaica, rich, poor, and in between. We never knew who was going to stop by, but somehow Grandma always made it work. Ironic that my life would mirror that situation today.
As I watched my son ride off on his scooter with two of his friends who are first generation American citizens, I realized just how lucky I am to be able to see the hard work of our ancestors come to fruition. 40 years ago someone would have stopped my child halfway down the street and asked him where he was going and why he was with two other kids that looked nothing like him. Although the South is still very far the rest of the country in terms of race relations, we have definitely come a very long way. Certainly much different from my grandparents' days when they literally had to fight their way into movie theaters and skating rinks. What's sad to me, however, is that many families will never now what its like to share variety of cultures at their dinner tables. Many Americans still live very one dimensional lives and do not see the importance of showing their children the value of a conversation with someone who is NOT just like them. There are tons of children who never experience that type of cultural exchange, and its important that we show them why it is still necessary today.
This year my oldest son is competing in his first Quiz Bowl. The theme is centered around Black History, and I couldn't be more proud of him for taking an active role in learning about both sides of his history as an American. My kids wear their diverse culture as a badge of honor, and I'm extremely proud that they see it that way. As they continue to grow and search for answers in life I can only hope that I can show them the proper way to continue to make a difference in the struggle that Dr. King fought so hard to erase. Thank you Dr. King for pointing us in the right direction towards victory.
Conflicting modification on January 16, 2012:
"So THAT'S why those kids look at me funny."
"Yes honey. You are different, and sometimes people don't understand different."
It's hard to explain to a kid that there are people in this world who will not accept you because of theft color of your skin. It's even harder when that child has a heart of gold, and is as innocent as the day is long. Both of my stepson are biracial. My youngest lost his mother last year to chronic illness, and now clings to me for hope, love, and explanations of how the world works. Luckily for me I grew up in a family that embraced any and every one. At any given day you could look around our dinner table and see Africa, China, Jamaica, rich, poor, and in between. We never knew who was going to stop by, but somehow Grandma always made it work. Ironic that my life would mirror that situation today.
As I watched my son ride off on his scooter with two of his friends who are first generation American citizens, I realized just how lucky I am to be able to see the hard work of our ancestors come to fruition. 40 years ago someone would have stopped my child halfway down the street and asked him where he was going and why he was with two other kids that looked nothing like him. Although the South is still very far the rest of the country in terms of race relations, we have definitely come a very long way. Certainly much different from my grandparents' days when they literally had to fight their way into movie theaters and skating rinks. What's sad to me, however, is that many families will never now what its like to share variety of cultures at their dinner tables. Many Americans still live very one dimensional lives and do not see the importance of showing their children the value of a conversation with someone who is NOT just like them. There are tons of children who never experience that type of cultural exchange, and its important that we show them why it is still necessary today.
This year my oldest son is competing in his first Quiz Bowl. The theme is centered around Black History, and I couldn't be more proud of him for taking an active role in learning about both sides of his history as an American. My kids wear their diverse culture as a badge of honor, and I'm extremely proud that they see it that way. As they continue to grow and search for answers in life I can only hope that I can show them the proper way to continue to make a difference in the struggle that Dr. King fought so hard to erase. Thank you Dr. King for pointing us in the right direction towards victory.
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