Thursday, April 23, 2009

Seal and Heidi Klum in Us Magazine


I haven't read the article yet myself, but apparently Heidi Klum talks a bit about her Mixed family in the latest issue of US Magazine. And she and her hubby, Seal, are on the cover of the issue. That's nice. I'm sure there are quite a few people not happy to see that cover staring at them in store checkout lines - the Supermodel and her black husband, superstar singer. I of course love that it is there for all to see and deal with. It is a new world people.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Standing Up To Your Own Family's Racism

If you don't already read the blog, "Shades of Black and White," I strongly encourage you to do so. The writer is really good and she is so honest and unflinching in what she shares. This particular posting, which I link below, is incredible. As you will see it is about what she has experienced and dealt with since her parents have shunned her and her family, including their own grandchild, because she dared to marry a black man.

I have recounted before here how my wife and I share a somewhat similar experience, though not quite as drastic. My wife grew up with a Mom who regularly used the "N word" and who made it clear that blacks were considered less than Mexicans (or Mexican-Americans), which she is. Somehow my wife was able to grow up with that and still find a way to fall in love with whomever she chose, which happened to be me, a black man. I totally tip my hat to her and anyone who can overcome that kind of upbringing to make this kind of choice. What strength.

I was a bit luckier. I grew up mostly around only blacks, but my family did not openly exhibit any racism. I don't recall ever hearing anything that was negatively directed at whites or others. And frankly, thinking back, now I think how strange and wonderful that was of my parents, particularly considering I grew up in a small town in Southeast Texas in the 60's and 70's. So I was very lucky. And to this day, no one in my family has ever said anything about my choice nor have they treated Dianna any differently than anyone else from what I can see.

Now I don't say this to say my family was better, only to make the point that I am really amazed at people like Shirl and my wife, Dianna, who can deal with what they did growing up and be so amazing as adults in going against their parents. I wonder if I could be so strong were I to have that kind of situation as a child. Most people simply accept and become their parents when they grow up. It is just the way the world is.

So kudos to these two particular women, and anybody else who stands up to their families and racism. I am in total awe and truly do thank you for having that kind of courage.

Here is the link to Shirl's posting.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

An Apology For Being Racist

If you haven't read this article that I found on Yahoo you really should read it. It's the story of an old white gentleman who though he was notorious for hating blacks when he was younger, and even viciously beat a few in his life during the Civil Rights Movement, now is going about apologizing to everyone he can find who he wronged.

It is an interesting read and makes you think a lot about the root of hatred. One of the more interesting things I found in the piece though was the fact that even during the height of his hatred, he would bring his young wife to a "black speakeasy" to show off his dance moves to her. How odd. To hate blacks so much and yet have no problem going into a black club and dancing with them. O.k. that confuses me a bit. But I guess it is about the fact that as long as blacks are in their own place they are o.k. It is when they wanted to integrate that he had to beat them down.

As far as the apology to blacks, frankly I accept it. I understand it is sort of a death-bed apology but still the public nature of what he is doing can be a great lesson for a lot of people so I think it is a good thing.

Check out the article here.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

A Lack Of Ethnic Concern

I was doing my thing at the mall last night here in Burbank while waiting for Dianna, sitting on a bench just watching the flow of people go by. People watching is one of my favorite things to do. People are so interesting - styles, sizes, personalities, etc.

As I remarked once before, I am just thrilled to see the cultural diversity that passes by here. I heard numerous languages as I sat there - Russian, Armenian, English, Spanish, and some I could not place. Reminded me that in my daughter's nearby elementary school, there are over 50 languages spoken in the homes of the students.

But again what I noticed equally was the absolute lack of any seeming concern about ethnic or racial differences. This is especially evident obviously in all the teens strolling through. Even when they were not hanging together, the groups seemed to flow as if all this diversity was normal, as it is to them I guess. How wonderful. And of course there were a few mixed teen couples thrown in. And again, no one seemed to care.

Thank God for this generation. I am not silly enough to think there is no racial or ethnic animosity among any of this younger generation. But I can tell they are mostly coming from a place that is eons beyond where most of us adults started from.

Did my heart good watching the scene.