I think It is easy to get "caught' up in the whole race thing. I didn't share some of the real reasons why I was so adament about it.
I guessI can thank my mother for being so liberated, and teaching my family not to hate others because they were of another race.
My mother is black and Metis, my father is white. I have blue eyes, and distinct features. No matter where I go I have people questioning my ethinticity. After awhile, It gets tiring. I am no different from anyone else, but I was always made to feel otherwise.
I just feel strongly about some things, and I truly believe that it shouldn't matter what color someone is.
I was raised in believing that all people are to be treated equal. Maybe there is something to be said about finding a place and feeling comfortable in it.
I too , went through a tough battle of fitting in. Black people don't want to accept you because you are "Too White" and White people don"t want to accept you because you because they are trying to determine what color you really are.
I think what is really interesting is how the bloodline will skip different generations and you find out all sorts of family history.
Growing up in a house hold where you had mixed blood, race was never an issue in my family. We would watch TV and there would be all kinds of debates, or stories in the news about racial violence. My father, who is white never felt uncomfortable, and neither did my mother. The one thing I do remember is, how the kids at school would make an issue of it, or question why I had a white father, or a black mother. I was made to feel indifferent, but I use to think what side do I take?
My mother would step in and say," When somone asks you what race are you"? "you tell them ,you are from the human race".
So, you see I am not a racist, I just get upset when RACE is always put in where it shouldn't matter.
Society always decide for you. Why do I have to claim any side? I have a grand daughter who has the same blue eyes, and blonde hair, but she has prominent black features. Already at the age of three, there are parents at the daycare where she attends commenting on her racial background. She is a child, a beautiful one might I add. I am proud of her, and I love her dearly.
I raised my sons the same way I was brought up, and they are not raicist against anyone either.
My youngest son is 6ft 6", and he always gets the odd comment about being a basketball player,because of his height.
We don't think that is steryotypical,but you will always get the one person who will have racist comments.
My point is I am just going to live my life as I have always have, and not made to feel guilty for not becoming "politically' or 'Racially "
involved.This whole experience at JU has brought me back to earth with a crash, I just forgot what my momma taught me.