Lots of revealing crap lately huh?
I wanted to share my response to a mama of bi-racial children on one of the boards that I frequent.
I am a multi-racial woman.
It was very hard growing up at times dealing with “white privilege” and racism. I was often too caucasian, too puerto rican, too urban, too country for someone in my family let alone for the folks around me. I found it very hard to relate to many of my cousins (nuyoricans & rural folks). My mother never spoke her first language at home (Spanish) because she was so determined that we spoke proper English.
I was the top Hispanic American student in my school (going as far as winning both the HACER and CT’s Day of Pride scholarships) but I didn’t (and still can’t) speak the language.
Now as I try to learn about my heritage it is hard to chose a focus. Puerto Rico’s history? Penn Dutch? Scottish? Cree? My mother was born in PR and her mother is what is often referred to as a “black” Puerto Rican. My father’s mother is Penn Dutch. My father’s grandfather was born in Dunoon, Scotland and my father’s grandmother was Cree (Métis) and her first languages were French & Métis (a creole of Cree & French). Should I learn Spanish, German, Gaelic, Métis, Cree or French? Tough. So mostly I just identify as American and learn all I can and live and let live.
My son is a sandy hair, light brown eyed boy who doesn’t tan (or burn).
What can I pass on to him besides my desire to learn, to share and to accept?
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