I really haven't though about this much. Zachariah is only 4 months old, and I have a long time to think about what this means, but I have no idea what it will be like for him. He is so beautiful to me. When I look at him, I don't see his color....except to see what a beautiful skintone he has. On any given day, I know that between me and the kids, we say "He is so cute, he is beautiful" many many times.
I will say I have been thinking though, really the first time ever in my life what it means to be biracial in America. I have no idea. I read the book Cane River last year, and was SHOCKED by how generation after generation of biracial women...even once they appeared to be white, were still treated so badly b/c they were "black". I had never thought about it.
Tonight, as I was listening to Obama's acceptance speech, I was emotional on something I have never thought about before. This is so HUGE for him to be president. I hate, for his sake, his grandmother passed away just 2 days ago and doesn't get to see him reach this great accomplishment for him.
I was thinking about how far African American people have come. Wow. They were treated horribly. And you know, there was a time, we, being parents to an African American child would be treated horribly. Wow. I hadn't even thought about that until tonight. I was watching Oprah and Jessie Jackson crying in the crowd. I was thinking about the days when African Americans had their own bathrooms, water fountains, schools, no rights at all, and I thought about my sweet sweet baby asleep in his bed. For the first time in my middle class, caucasian sheltered life, I saw just what this means for Obama to have become president. I also realized, that yes, my baby is biracial. Before I looked at it as...he is just as much white, as he is black. Tonight, I realized, yes, and he is just as much black, as he is white. Does that make sense??
Obama was raised by his Caucasian family, yet he relates himself as being African American. I don't think of race when I look at Zachariah, but someday he might. All political ideas aside, I am so glad to have a new insight into my babies life. I realized that I need to expore ways to celebrate both of his heritages. Educate my children. Educate myself. And most importantly, teach him to love himself for the beautiful person he is.
I don't know what this will be like for our nation to have an African American president. It is my strong prayer that he will be a good one, successful, and this could be the beginning of great change for our country, so that someday, people won't see color....they will only see the person. I hope that someday a biracial person won't be automatically labeled as African American if their skin is dark, or Caucasian if their skin is light. I hope there won't even be a need for a "label" Yep....I have big dreams.
That was very beautifully and eloquently put! I think it's important that we, as white mamas, learn how to look through the eyes of our kids. Whether biracial or black (as ours our),black/white will always be part of our family and our children's lives.
ReplyDeleteI thought of this alot when a friend of mine was pregnant,she is white and the baby's father is black.We even discussed it and still do.Right now,her girl is still so young that I dont think they come across that so often,but I have seen just little glimpses here and there.To make matters worse,the father has little to do with the child- We dont care what color she is,we love her,regardless.
ReplyDeleteFirst a belated thanks for the bd card and pics. It was sweet of you to remember. I was touched by your post on this important topic and glad you hear you are pondering the question of race in our country. As you may know, this is something that has concerned me deeply over the years (remember my work with Sarah Albritton, who is also biracial, with a father she never knew).
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled with the election; that night I went by invitation to one of our local soul food restaurants to watch the election returns with about 40 people (mostly African American and about a dozen whites who were active in the Democratic party here). When Obama was proclaimed the winner, a dear 80-year old friend was in tears, saying, "I never thought it would be in my day." She told me that for many years she had not been allowed to vote in her town. Sarah also told me she didn't get to vote until 1963 (people wouldn't let them register). At least Zack can vote when he grows up.
I am so proud of you and the nurturing, unconditional love you are giving to your own children and the children of others. Hope I get to see all of you soon.