Open thread

8 Responses to Open thread

1. Adoptiveparent13. says:

   June 11, 2009 at 8:57 pm

   First of all, I want to say that I really appreciate this blog a great deal. I am an adoptive parent to a Latino child and I know I have a LOT to learn.

   In that vein, I have been trying to read different books, articles, and blogs about racism, cross cultural adoption, and white privilege.

   One of the links on this site had a recommendation for a blog with this post http://resistracism.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/why-i-hate-white-anti-racists/.

   I’m not sure if it’s been addressed here or not but if I’m wondering what folks think. Carmen?
2. Amanda Casabianca says:

   June 11, 2009 at 9:59 pm

   the new IKEA commercials are really bothering me. They feature a single upwardly mobile white woman fixing up her home and being indecisive and a tad stressed, while an older Black woman offers folk wisdom with a mildly stereotypical accent. This would not be so bad if the Black woman was not INVISIBLE to the white woman in this weird “Sixth Sense” style set up. Why couldn’t they actually be friends or neighbors?
3. Lyonside says:

   June 12, 2009 at 10:09 am

   Just wanted to say Happy Loving Day, which in its broadest sense is about the freedom to build your family, whatever its structure, based on love and not physical appearance. We’re not there yet, but Loving v. Virginia got us closer.
4. wanderinglady says:

   June 13, 2009 at 4:26 am

   To Amanda Casabianca,

   It looks like this is an example of the stock character called “the magical Negro”. Here’s a description: http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/m/a/Magical_Negro.html
5. Kim says:

   June 14, 2009 at 12:40 am

   I recently moved into a new apartment complex in another city. I have always had friends of different nationalities and ethnicity. Why? First of all their cultures captivated me; secondly, I learned through time that if they weren’t born in America they were far more educated than we were. That said, I am mortified at the ignorance of white America. It’s all relevant. Ignorance begets ignorance.

   One evening my 13 year old daughter and her friend come in from being at the pool excited about the drama that had just occurred at pool involving a 9 year old (politically correct here) African American boy who’s parents came over to the states from Ethiopia. He started using curse words and and calling them names. When the manager heard what was going on he proceeded to continue calling her names as well. He was banned from the pool unless accompanied by his mother. I had barely met the little boy but immediately was sickened by the situation. I understood only because I had read and listened to so many lives of African American boys. When faced with what could be a racial confrontation he headed it off. It was his way of taking control rather than being caught off guard. He didn’t know what the girls views were. From past experience he had learned the hard way.

   I befriended Omega as well as his mother. I learned that Omega had a twin sister who at about a year old was given too much oxygen and now she is completely disabled. Omega’s mother is divorced from Omega’s father, raising the two on her own.

   If I could hand pick my children s friends, Omega would be at the top of the list. I am sure other kids can’t relate with him; how many 9 year old’s do you know that can name most countries, leaders and recite history of most of them? He has turned out to be a sweet and loving boy that relish having around. I pity those who miss these life learning experiences and therefore fail to understand what it will take to bring peace to this world. One relationship at a time.

   If I teach my children anything, I hope it is to have understanding and the desire to open their minds and hearts to the eclectic cultures of our world and celebrate them all.
6. Amanda Casabianca says:

   June 14, 2009 at 11:56 pm

   Thanks wanderinglady, I’ve written IKEA, they need to get out of the 1930′s!
7. Amanda Casabianca says:

   June 16, 2009 at 5:46 pm

   I agree, so many immigrants are incredibly well educated and disciplined beyond belief.

   “When faced with what could be a racial confrontation he headed it off. It was his way of taking control rather than being caught off guard. He didn’t know what the girls views were. From past experience he had learned the hard way.”

   But do you know this for sure?

   I’m a big believer in sensitive openness but, black, white or red , if any child is being rude they need to be disciplined in a fair and non-aggressive and non-racist manner.
   To me it shows more respect for their future well being than assuming that they are at an automatic disadvantage due to their race.

   I agree with your philosophy about embracing different cultures and raising our children to as well. One caveat though is that many children of European descent can feel lost in the world of multiculturalism, especially if their parents had ancestors who were immigrants , 50, 60, 70 plus years ago. With no real clear path to turn for cultural identity, they can be prey for extremists that have cropped up more and more as we embrace multiculturalism.
8. anaya says:

   June 17, 2009 at 2:46 pm

   @ Kim,

   What am I missing in your story? What am I not understanding? I don’t understand the connection between your cultural sensitivity/appreciation for multiculturalism and an ill-mannered child acting out in public.

   As for the manager, if you had said that the young boy was banned completely because of his race, I could understand. However, it sounds as if he was simply told that he couldn’t come back without a parent/guardian to take responsibility for him. Something that is common at pools for children under a certain age.