Black Kids?

The name of this pop group is Black Kids.  Hmmmm...scratching my head.  What ye think? 

Why Did You Make Me Black Lord?

Why Did You Make Me Black Lord ....

author: unknown

Lord ...
Why did you make me black?
Why did you make someone the world would hold back?
Black is the color of dirty clothes,
of grimy hands and feet...
Black is the color of darkness,
of tired beaten streets...

Why did you give me thick lips,
a broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did you create who receives the hated stare?

Black is the color of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt...
Black is the color of darkness,
black is the color of dirt.

Why is my bone structure so thick,
my hips and cheeks so high?
Why are my eyes brown,
and not the color of the sky?

Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do people see my skin and think I should be abused?

Lord, I just don't understand...
What is it about my skin?
Why is it some people want to hate me and not know the person within?

Black is what people are "Labeled" when others want to keep them away...
Black is the color of shadows cast...
Black is the end of the day.

Lord you know my own people mistreat me,
and you know this just ain't right...
They don't like my hair, they don't like my skin, 

as they say I'm too dark or too light!

Lord, don't you think it's time to make a change?
Why don't you redo creation and make everyone the same?


GOD's Reply:

Why did I make you black?

Why did I make you black?

I made you in the color of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed...
I made you in the color of oil,
the black gold which keeps people warm.

Your color is the same as the rich dark soil that grows the food you need...
Your color is the same as the black stallion and panther, 

Oh what majestic creatures indeed!

All colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation...
When all these colors are blended,
you become my greatest creation!

Your hair is the texture of lamb's wool,
such a beautiful creature is he...
I am the shepherd who watches them,
I will ALWAYS watch over thee!

You are the color of the midnight sky,
I put star glitter in your eyes...
There's a beautiful smile hidden behind your pain...
That's why your cheeks are so high!

You are the color of dark clouds from the hurricanes I create in September...
I made your lips so full and thick,
so when you kiss...they will remember!

Your stature is strong,
your bone structure thick to withstand the burden of time...
The reflection you see in the mirror,
that image that looks back...that is MINE!

So get off your knees,
look in the mirror and tell me what you see?
I didn't make you in the image of darkness...
I made you in the image of ME!

Is She Adopting for the Wrong Reasons?

Now, correct me if I'm wrong (I know that I'm not in this instance) if you don't really care for a persons culture you shouldn't adopt them just because you can get a baby faster and under twelve months of age.  WHAT?  See...this is why I stay on the boards!  Apparently there is one very confused woman lurking:

I'm torn between three countries: Russia, Kazakhstan and Ethiopia. I'm in love with the Russian and Kazakh culture and the people but I don't feel the same way with Ethiopia. To be honest, the only reason why I want to adopt from Ethiopia is because I can get a baby in under 12 months, I won't have to deal with rude comments and stares from strangers that other transracial families have to deal with and because its way cheaper. Is this truly the wrong reason to even consider Ethiopia as a country choice?

Signed-Her Imperial Majesty (or something like that)

Dear Her Majesty:

This may sound harsh but NO ADOPTION FROM ETHIOPIA FOR YOU!  The way you are positioning your email makes me question your entire parenting M.O., but that is a different subject...stay focused Tami.  Just because you are black does not make a black child a good fit for you, as is shown in your email.  I believe you would do more harm to your child than good because you would always think of that little Russian or Katz baby you could have had...even if you (in your words) saved a couple of dollars.  My advice to you before you start down the path to motherhood is spend a few more dollars and get some counseling...I think there is something going on in there...just my opinion.  Then move forward with your adoption...but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE leave Ethiopian children for people who truly have an interest in the culture and who want to love them for them not simply because they would be an easier fit on their arm or heaven forbid because it is cheaper!  

CNN and the Anti Climax

So, I’ve finally managed to get out of my world and put together my thoughts on the CNN I Am: Black in America feature. Kudos to CNN for putting together and airing the special however, I was disappointed. After the big build up it was very anticlimactic. I was not the only one who felt this way, this was the sentiment I heard from about 90% of the Black people I came in contact with. I have also waited to see if anyone has posted anything on their blogs about it, but not really…most people speak about it in private and have the attitude of “whatever, it was an attempt, it’s over…moving on.” Me, not so much. I would like to discuss the issue a little further so here I go, being as brief as I can and trust me, I am cutting it as much as I can. Why was I so disappointed?

Supposedly, per CNN’s reason for creating I Am: Black in America was to present a collection of people who may surprise you. They wanted to show people who not only defied their labels, but they’ve done it in very public and dramatic ways. From what I saw during the two days it was just more of the same ‘ole same ‘ole…translation: stereotypes and negativity brought forth. One of my friends asked me if I felt this way because I was a little embarrassed and honestly the answer is yes. I was embarrassed that this was all people would see AGAIN and on CNN. More of the Baby Daddy saga, welfare struggles, jail scenarios and black kids not going to school. Yes, they did show family bonding in between but (IMHO) the negative out weighed the positive. I watched the show wondering did they consult with any Blacks in America when they thought this whole thing out, when they produced these segments? I would venture to say probably not. It was simply more a regurgitation of the negative stuff  some Black Americans live daily and it perpetuated many of the stereotypes even when they were trying to be positive.

For instance, it was great that they showed the “professional” family. The father was a superintendent, the mother was a professional and all children were in school, college graduates or planning to attend college. However they showed that even with the good this family had someone go to jail. WHAT? I’m sorry, not that it doesn’t happen on occasion, but like one of my friends (Tracey) said, was this necessary? She also commented my family has never had anyone go to jail.  She was right.  I have never had anyone go to jail either! As a matter of fact my mother was one of the first “minority” police officers Cleveland hired, my stepfather was a Deputy Sheriff and my 29 year old brother is currently on the SWAT division of the corrections department! Now that is a story for you!

I actually fell asleep on the show. It was a lot of stuff on there that we (black people) tend to laugh about (sarcastically speaking) when we hear it repeated in the media. For instance:
o Black men are pulled over more than white men
o Blacks receive inferior healthcare
o Schools in urban areas do not receive the same quality teachers or levels of funding as those in suburban areas
o Black women are marrying at lower rates
o The quality of food in urban stores is lower or healthy options not available
You don’t say? Now there is a shocker to us all! We tend to get a big kick out of it when it is FINALLY in the media because we know it and say it all the time, but no one hears us until someone like CNN or a Soledad reports it. Until that happens, like someone from the big Ethiopian board said, “It is just anecdotal.” Apparently, we have been living a life of anecdotes this woman thought. Now, there were a few good things about the show, I did appreciate some of the more specific statistics that go with those “anecdotes” I didn’t know such as:
o 45% of black women are not married, twice the number of white women, that number increases to 75% for professional black women
o 70% black women raising children on their own
o 50% of black children vs. 38% of white are raised in poverty
o 1 million more black women are working than men
o Twice as many black women are in college than men

Then there is Soledad...I like her. I think she is finding her voice and place in media and with the Black community, but for many in the black community…not so much. There has been some question as to why she was chosen to lead this series and this is the answer to why it turned out the way it did. I mean, what does she know about being BLACK? Soledad is multi-racial and that includes Black. She does not deny Black is a part of her heritage and her mother (from what I hear) is a very dark Afro Cuban. I think people are questioning because she was not so vocal and because she is married to a white man, but she is trying to bring the issues to the forefront. No, maybe she doesn’t get stopped for driving while black or followed for thinking she was shoplifting or called the “n” word but black is a part of who she is. If she weren’t doing anything and people who didn’t know she was black found out then she would be talked about for not acknowledging she was black (pretty much she is in a catch 22 situation with some people). Now, I don’t believe this was the best attempt, but it was better than no attempt…leave Soledad alone, give her a chance to find her space and voice.

Out of all of the excellent education programs that I believe actually have a chance to work for our young people WHY in the world would CNN only highlight one option (that I believe is just ridiculous). Pay kids to go to school? Give me a break! What are we teaching kids about education, and at such a young age? Now, did CNN and Soledad really think this was a viable option? If they were simply providing options why didn’t they show another program that is not just a pilot so the public can see what is working now. There ARE models that work that don’t require payment.

Sure, the Black community has its challenges BUT there is more good in the community than bad, but I finished the show only remembering the negatives. If I recall the objective was to show Black America and to defy the labels, but I finished with nothing but labels. Where was the substance? I did not see enough of it. It was too surface level and each time they approached an interesting point that could have made for a good storyline, it was cut abruptly…what a lost opportunity. 

What bothers me now is that I am reading on blogs and the Big Ethiopia Board that people think they understand Black America. YIKES!  How Horrible!  I am glad that anyone who was not Black watched in hopes of learning more about being Black In America, but I am saddened that this is the memory he or she was left with.

Daily Dose of Vitamins

Are you getting your recommended daily dose of vitamins?  According to GenSpec most of us are not getting the correct vitamins not simply because we don't take them, but because we don't take the right ones for our ethnic group.  Yup, that's right, for our ethnic group.  Their premise is based around our ethnic groups: African American, Hispanic and Caucasian.  So, they did what any good capitalist would do, they started a company to benefit from this.  Now, I'm not hating on their hustle and it probably is some truth to it.  I for one did and still do buy into the "Eating for your Blood Type" diet (although I'm not disciplined enough to follow it for longer than a day or two).  However, what I don't buy into is (ethnic groups are so diverse and mixed) that these three formulas will provide all of what I need because my skin is dark.  What happens if someone is 50% black and 50% white?  What if that is their mix and their skin is dark should they get African American?  What happens if they look Caucasian (and to those of you that do not know this happens it does)?  What does my family do since we are Black Hispanics?  I guess if you're Asian you shouldn't go to GenSpec because it doesn't seem like they have figured out what to do with you yet.  

Well, I'm just going to stick with my Dr. Shultze's SuperFoods and regular old vitamins the two have not let me down yet.  Well...except last year when I had the flu and the time before that when I had a cold and when I ... oh, yea...my bad, I stopped taking my vitamins for a year then. Do you think that had anything to do with me being sick?  (Oh, a shout out to one of my favorite blogs lightskinneded girl for highlighting this company first.  I couldn't pass this one up!)

An Interesting Month Indeed

Tivo it, DVR it, Watch it!  

July 23rd & 24th CNN Presents: Black in America 

Black Men and Black Women & Family

In this next installment of CNN's Black in America series, Soledad O'Brien examines the successes, struggles and complex issues faced by black men, women and families -- 40 years after the death of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

If you have questions about what it's like to be Black in America check this out then let's have a discussion on the 24th and 25th.  I'm sure this will get to the heart of some very real and touchy subjects but guess what?  Adopting a Black child does that.  This is gonna be good for those of you who wanted something interesting back on my blog...I'm BAAACCCCKKKKK!  So, I hope to see you back here then.  There will be a test on blackness and black family.  Just kidding!  LOL  

Buy it, Read it, Admire it, Save it!

The July Issue of the Italian Vogue  (click on photo story to the left), it has all Black Models! WHAT!!!!!!!!!?????  Ya heard me!  Vogue Italia takes on racial discrimination in its July issue, which features only black models, including Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Iman, Pat Cleveland, Alek Wek, Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn AND Ethiopian model Liya Kebede.

I know you are wondering what the U.S. issue of Vogue is going to do right?  Well, in July they also do something really tough.  They write an article about discrimination. WHOMP WHOMP.  Now for my sentiments... WHIMPS!!!!!  PUNKS!!!!! COWARDS!!!!  CHUMPS!!!!  #$##!!!!  You get the point!  Good ole’ USA, we are always the last to do something “stand up” when it comes to race!  Why can our beauty be appreciated globally but it is so difficult to be appreciated at home?  What's up with that?  

Just Lynch 'Em?

Wednesday morning (1/09) the world got another look at how little words can have big meanings and repercussions when Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley." And just think Tiger isn't even African American, he's Cablinasian (African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Native American) LOL. Okay, I know we still apply that one drop rule (most do...that's a whole different conversation, right Valerie?) and he's African American but, per Tiger he is Cablinasian. But I think he may want to reconsider that because they keep treating him like a regular "African American " ( I said that nicely btw). Remember in 1997 after he won the Masters (he was only 21 and the youngest champion), Fuzzy Zoeller referred to him as "that little boy," and suggested that Woods not serve fried chicken or collard greens, "or whatever the hell they serve". D#$& Tiger, you can run but you can't hide. So Tami, you must have a point to all of this. ABSOLUTELY!!!

Our Ethiopian American children. When in America people will only see the color of their skin and they will be treated based on that (I hate to say it but it's true). They must learn how to cope within the boundaries of a racist society. They must understand what slavery was, what Jim Crow was about and why it existed, what the inner city riots were about, what is the history of racism, the blues, jazz, and even hip hop. Our children must understand why when people look at them they may not see Ethiopia, they may see other struggles that they had nothing to do with. They must understand why people dislike them for the color of their skin, the shape of their lips, noses or texture of their hair. They must understand all of this and then be able to effectively navigate in society. Then when they are faced by a person that gives them grief they can look them in the eye without being phased because you, as the parent, prepared them for the worst. This is why Tiger can say he is who he is, because he knows who he is and he effectively navigates in his world. He is okay with his choices. Our children must be okay with theirs however, the education begins with us. The education begins at home, so, the first time someone makes a racist comment about Africa, Ethiopia, African Americans, adoption or whatever, our children will be able to look them in the eye and say WHATEVE! Selam.

The Not So Dead "N" Word

If you hadn't heard the "N" word is supposed to be dead. On July 9,2007 The NAACP held a funeral to bury the "N" word and a year before an organization in Wisconsin did the same thing but apparently the damn thing is like Elvis and Tupac. People keep seeing (and hearing) it, I swear it is still alive. I even keep seeing (and hearing) it everywhere, it's the damnedest thing! But I tell you, this "N" word is even worse, it can be in more than place at a time and it gets seen (and said) over and over and over again until my head wants to pop off. I don't care who says it, I've been known to correct the person and then walk away (and that's me being nice).

So, where was the last sighting you are wondering? On a soon to be released CD cover (above) by Nas. The CD which will be released next month to be titled "Nigger". Lovely right? I thought so...NOT!!!!!!! This is how Nas defends his CD Cover:

"If Cornel West was making an album called Nigger, they would know he's got something intellectual to say," Nas continued. "To think I'm gonna say something that's not intellectual is calling me a nigger, and to be called a nigger by Jesse Jackson and the NAACP is counterproductive, counter-revolutionary."

Nas said he hasn't talked to anyone outside his camp about the title, so he was upset to see that people are up in arms without knowing the story behind him choosing the name. "I wanna make the word easy on mutha----as' ears," he explained. "You see how white boys ain't mad at 'cracker' 'cause it don't have the same [sting] as 'nigger'? I want 'nigger' to have less meaning [than] 'cracker.' With all the bullsh-- that's going on in the world, racism is at its peak. I wanna do the sh-- that's not being done. I wanna be the artist who ain't out. I wanna make the music I wanna hear.

"We're taking power [away] from the word," he added. "No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil-rights movement, but some of my n---as in the streets don't know who [civil-rights activist] Medgar Evers was. I love Medgar Evers, but some of the n---as in the streets don't know Medgar Evers, they know who Nas is. And to my older people who don't now who Nas is and who don't know what a street disciple is, stay outta this mutha----in' conversation. We'll talk to you when we're ready. Right now, we're on a whole new movement. We're taking power [away] from that word."

Sighhhhh.... well, per Nas, it's good to know I can start calling all my white friends "Crackers" now and they won't mind. What an idot!

Ethiopian Jungle Crud

What is "Ethiopian Jungle Crud?" Beats me but on an adoption board this phrase got thrown out and I was sent an email about it from another PAP. It looks like I have become the Diaspora Adoption Diversifier (for a lack of a better term). This particular family was pretty annoyed about this email that was going back and forth from this family that just picked up their daughter from Ethiopia. Apparently the husband got sick and the family said he got the "Ethiopian Jungle Crud." Well, the PAP that emailed me said Addis is not in the jungle...true...and was concerned about what they would teach their child about Ethiopia--truth or fiction?

I was curious so I went to board and read the email. I felt bad that the man got sick but I was disturbed by what he called his sickness and really wondered why he would call it the Jungle Crud? Ummm...anyway, you know I sent the board an email and did I get backlash. Probably, many are reading this blog this morning...oh excuse my impoliteness...GOOD MORNING! :-)

So, this is what I said:
What is this Ethiopian Crud? Is this what the doctor called it (because I looked it up online and couldn’t find any medical definition for it) or is this what you and your husband have decided to call it? I can tell you it does not sound very nice to me and I am offended by it. Addis is not in the Jungle so to me this has a very negative connotation of what you believe Ethiopia to be and your understanding of Ethiopia. Furthermore, when I saw the word "crud" and I saw “hassle”… like see what I had to go through to pickup this little baby. Traveling anywhere and simply getting on a plane can be a hassle. When I travel across country I get sick so again, this just didn't sit well with me (you can say it is just me but this was brought to my attention by someone else on the board.). I have said this on other boards, I say this on my blog, and I will say it on this board...you are now stepping into a new world where you are not only adopting an Ethiopian child but you are adopting a Diaspora. You now must think about the subtleties of the words in which you speak and write. Those things which may not seem like such a big deal to you are very offensive to others. Selam

Guess what happened then? Someone threatened to call my adoption agency on me! They said I was ridiculous! It was just a few words and yes maybe they were not the right words but this was simply ridiculous. Who is this Tami person...I sent them to my blog. This was my response:

My name is Tami. The purpose of my email was to let you know exactly what I said, how words come across to people and how they can come across as racist. This is a forum for learning and trust me you better learn some of these lessons now, while your babies are young. Race is a very touchy issue and people don't like to hear it or discuss it, I force people to see it and talk about it...many people don't like me because of it...sorry. I live it daily. I am actually pretty friendly, I talk about this, I can laugh about it...many others won't. If any of you feel the need to call Gladney about me please do but I think you are over reacting. Trust that they read my blog just like everyone else. Selam.

Just another day in Happy Blog Land for Me! Happy Friday!

African American Support for Your Adoption

Believe it or not, I did receive a few questions in my I Help Where I Can post. I have just been trying to come up with a witty response so here is my first response. We still have 16 days so I'm accepting questions! LOL

Question: Your perspective on how white adoptive parents can work at gaining support from the AA community in adoption (in terms of trust). I find that many of my AA friends/ acquaintances aren’t to keen about my adoption. I want to work at finding that support in my local AA community. I want to meet folks where they are I’m not expecting them to come to me.

Answer: Well, this is quite a dilemma you have here. Don't feel bad because you are not alone. I'll let you in on a little secret, a lot of African Americans aren't too keen on us (other AA) adopting African, Haitian or any baby of color that is not "African American." I get criticized regularly for my Ethiopian adoption so, my first point is: you will not be accepted by all African Americans simply because you are adopting a little brown baby. Now, once your little bundle of joy is here he/she will clearly be American and be considered African American through most eyes. So, how do you get the adults to understand you want to meet them where they are and you don't expect them to meet you where you are? Simply put, lots of hard work and effort.

Don't use where you live, your family, friends, work, community or any of that as an excuse. What I mean by all of that is, it takes a concerted effort. Let me give you an example. In Cleveland my Aunt has a friend who is white who adopted a black daughter. They live in an all white community yet weekly she drives 35 + miles (one way) to make sure her daughter can play and socialize with another black child and family. The mother has made friends with my Aunt who, in turn, has introduced her to other families. Her child may live and go to school in an all white community during the week but, on the weekend she is part of an African American community and activities (The irony of this is my Aunt lives in a white community also but hers has a few more Blacks). The mother joined a black mother's group and no they were not too keen on her joining at first. She said she joined for her child and kept coming back, they eventually got over it (she had a lot of "balls" and my Aunt had to fight for her). Ultimately, you simply need to have very, very, very thick skin and keep the course. Eventually, the community and your acquaintances will come around. And then the honest truth is some of them never will. I have lost some friends on my journey to adopt my child(ren) and you know what? That is fine by me! If they can't accept this new part of my life and that God has called for me to be a mother to 1 or 2 children from Ethiopia then they are not meant to be in my circle.

So, you have to continue to expose your child and make sure it is all about your child. Be clear, what they are saying under their breath is "uh hu" sure...we'll see...but is that really any different from what I would get if I decided I loved hockey and am now a huge fan. I want to know everything about it and go to all the games and become part of the community. I want to be accepted and I want everyone to love me. Nope! Probably not. Hockey is a predominately white sport. Are there any blacks that play? I'm sure there are at least 1 or 2 we are everywhere (heehee) but you get my point! Eventually, the people at the hockey ring would see I really am serious about hockey because I keep coming back every week...then I can speak the language, I know the people and I'm comfortable in the arena, nothing is made up.

Becoming part of the African American community will be the same for you. However, whatever you do please, please, I beg you as you try to meet AA where they are do not speak Ebonics or say one of my best friends is black, neither are cool at all! LOL

Education is Key

A few weeks back on the adoption boards a conversation took place where a mother was having a difficult time making a decision as to whether she should place her Ethiopian child in a public charter or traditional public school. Neither school was ranked extremely high academically but the charter school was located closer to her job, primarily black and had a slight gang/violence problem. The traditional public school was located closer to her home but was almost all white. She was torn. She felt she had an opportunity to provide her child(ren) with a black experience and wanted to do so since neither school seemed to be any better but she was concerned about the violence...AND RIGHTLY SO.

My friends and I have spent time debating where the best place to send our children to school is. I live in DC and we definitely have a number of educational challenges, as well as choices: charter, public and private schools. But you better believe I want nothing to do with anything that is segregated. As much as I love who I am, I know who I am (and I will make sure that so does Baby I) so I don't need an all Black grade school for my child to know that. I want my child to know and appreciate the entire world of diversity - other cultures, foods and languages - it is who she is, who I am and who my friends are. However, I understand this is an issue for some families.

We are in a time of crisis in public education but, there are great things going on in every city and don't let anyone tell you there is not. Also, don't let anyone tell you bad things about good options such as charter schools. Charter schools are good options for our children but not every charter school works but guess what? Neither do all public schools and many haven't worked for say 50 years now. At least if a charter school is not performing they shut it down, I can't say that for traditional public schools.

Don't let the race card stand in the way of your child's education. Fight for what you believe your child deserves. This is your child's future. Don't just put your black child around some black kids during the day because you feel guilty for being white or living in an all white community if the school you are going to send your child to is substandard and the environment is not safe--you will be doing your child a disservice (and I know you don't want to do that). No one can learn in an unsafe environment. It's sad to say but, it is very difficult to get gang activity and violence out of schools and to get high quality teachers that will tolerate unsafe environments. So, just remember when thinking about where to send your child to school, the best education isn't just about academics but, it also includes factors like violence and ethnic composition of a school (scary we have to think about these things isn't it, but we do). Yes, so much to think about.

Either Love Me or Leave Me

…And you're still reading my blog because???? If you haven’t figured it out yet I’m pretty sarcastic but –here we go again- racist I’m not. I know some people won’t address these things, they just say it will pass but not me…no way, I think it’s great to discuss and it will make a great conversation piece for my daughter’s life book so thanks for the memories! Plus it gives me something to blog about. It also adds to my point that race is ALWAYS an issue and probably ALWAYS will be so even more so the reason why I have my blog and am addressing the topics I am. Again, it isn’t going away. I live this stuff everyday! Sorry, if I offend but I get offended quite often because of my race…Hey, you get sick of me talking about it but guess what there are whole organizations/companies devoted to this exact topic…I just talk about it on occasion.

To the two anonymous messages that I received thanks, I’m glad I stirred up emotion in you. I think it’s pretty cool that I have that power, now if I can only do good with this power! J (You are probably not laughing right now but I am!) FYI, the positive comments received on my site are from other white bloggers so obviously I’m not so racist. If you take the time to go through my site you would see I have never posted anything negative about whites...read my posts to be clear on my views before you attack me. Now as far as the last post I said that the woman should use less expensive products and I asked the question…Whatever happened to Vaseline? Hey lady…it was a question!!!!!!!!! Jeez…I laughed when I wrote that! You should have also! Maybe you need an extracurricular activity or something! Hey Tasha or Chou Chou can you suggest one for her? Maybe she should read Michael Moore’s books or watch his movies (love him or leave him)…I love him!

The point is…one person is never going to see the same thing another person sees. Secondly, different races tend to see things differently because we have different experiences. This blog is merely a blog from my perspective…you can either take it or leave it but as I heard a pastor say: stop coming if you don’t like my sermon.

Juggling Identities

I don't have any rights to post this but I really love this comic so PLEASE don't tell on me. LOL One of my friends (another Afro-Latino) sent it to me because the comic accurately describes how we feel and it is hilarious at the same time!

As Afro-Latinos people automatically look at us and assume black and African American. Yes most of us (especially if raised or have lived in the US for a significant amount of time) identify with African American but people are thrown off when we start speaking Spanish or Portuguese...the two can co-exist. However, I can't tell you how many times I have been asked "What are you mixed with" or "Are you part Indian?" Uh no...I'm not part Indian...okay Dominicans are mixed with a whole lota stuff but I'm not going into all of that with them. And the "what are you mixed with" question gets really old really fast. Actually I was just asked that a few weeks ago in Costco...DANG! When I say I'm Dominican (I rarely say anything else simply because I love to see/hear the responses) I get "well you don't look Dominican." My reply is..."who do you know that is Dominican? Have you ever seen a Dominican?" Then they look stupid and say duh...."NO." EXACTLY! People are still stuck on the stereotypical view of Latinos as fair-light skinned with dark hair or light hair and are shocked to know that there are Black Latinos. The only place in the United States that I have never had that problem was in my favorite city, New York City. I lived in Washington Heights or Little Santo Dominigo as it is called and no one blinked. I was simply otra Dominicana (another Dominican woman). While I don't normally like men catcalling me I found it kinda nice because it was in Spanish meaning I was just one of the gente (family).

So for me I only have to juggle my Afro-Latino (and American, African American, Jamaican, Carribean...but it's still pretty similiar I think I'm messing up my point here! LOL) backgrounds which is a piece of cake compared to what our children will have to juggle--Adoption, Ethiopian, New Country, Acculturation, African, American, Jewish, White, Spanish, African-American, Canadian, etc....you get the point.

African Ancestry Roots

When I first started blogging (see post) I said I was going to get my DNA tested to see where my mother’s family was from in Africa. I got my results back and I am proud to announce that my African Ancestry is shared with people in several countries today: the Mende people in Sierra Leone, the Fula people in Guinea-Bissau, and the Kru people in Liberia. For those of you who don’t know geography (don’t worry I don’t either) the countries are in West Africa on the Coast side-by-side.

From what I can tell in my reading, many of the slaves from those particular tribes were taken to the Caribbean. This makes sense being that my family is from the islands of Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Antigua and I even have family in Panama. Once you live on one island you can live on pretty much any island, have raft…will float! Was that politically correct? Who cares it's my family I can say what I want!

Bottom line, this is pretty exciting, now I need to visit the countries. Too bad when I go to pick up Baby I there won’t be enough money or energy to stop over in those countries since I will be on that side of the world. I’ll put the trip on my agenda to do when Baby I is a few years old and I have a few extra thousand dollars burning a whole in my pocket. I'll get a nice vacation and Grandmommy will get a few weeks of dedicated grandmothering...she'll love that (won't you?) Until then I’ll start reading (and praying for a money tree...oh I mean for my business to prosper) and looking for all the information I can in the US on Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and my tribes.

One of the great things about living in DC is that all of the embassies are here, maybe I can get invited to some big cultural affair since I have just found my roots! If they try to say no do you think swinging my braids would work? Smile

Late addition: I'm a little obsessed with this DNA stuff. I forgot to add now I have to do the ad mixture to find out where the other half of my family is from. You know...who the slaves mixed with. LOL I hear we have Lebanese, Spanish (duh, Dominican Republic) and Scottish. Another test and another time (read: money).

Wear Black Tomorrow for Jena 6

FREE THE JENA 6 ...ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... FREE THE JENA SIX

On September 20, 2007 more than 1 million people will wear BLACK as we unite in one voice with one message to declare that UN-EQUAL JUSTICE is just not acceptable. The world will be watching when not just African Americans but people of all races take a stand for something that we all believe in. Mychal Bell and the Jena Six should be free. If you have not heard about their case and why these average teenagers, good students, great athletes and are now fighting for their lives (one student Mychal Bell has been in jail since Dec. 2006) please CLICK HERE NOW to view this video for the shock of your life. This is clearly a case of racism, but the protest in Jena, LA, the US and around the world is not an attack on white people but against a system that has failed us all. It is not about black and white but about what is wrong and what is right!

Enough is Enough...Un-Equal Justice is just not acceptable! ..Wear Black on September 20th to show your support!

(this was taken from the Michael Baisden website, you can click here for more information)

Selam.

Me a Racist?

Yesterday I posted on the Jena 6 and have received a few responses. Great. That is what I wanted and I'm sure many have said there she goes again. That is the typical response I normally receive when it comes to race. If you read the comments posted I received a very nice comment not agreeing with my opinion(Yes, I even post those too). That is fine, I am not the end all but what I want to do with my blog is working. I want to bring the issue of race to light. It is here and it is not going away. (BTW...I also looked at the number of times I have talked about race since I started posting and out of 64 posts it has been 6 times...so shoot me!)

We (people of color) live it (race issues) EVERYDAY and as I said, the more things change the more they stay the same. I am not a racist but a realist. As you (Ms. Annon.) stated yes love, education and family IS important BUT not in lieu of our culture this MUST be a part of your child's home life. You see, the world is not fair and as a black educated woman having lived many places and able to move in many different arenas I see the discrepancies clearly. I have friends that are adopted and friends that are not. I have friends that are aware of their culture and friends that are not. Even I did not become as aware of my culture as I am today until I was an adult and trust me I am a much happier person today for it. Maybe this is why I truly understand the importance of it.

Be clear. I am an advocate for adoption no matter what color the parent however, I (Tami) am of the school that you cannot adopt an African "black" child in a vacuum. I will even go one step further and say no one should be adopting a child from another country in a vacuum...their culture (and race if appropriate) should always be included in their upbringing.

Race and diversity are tough issues and most people are normally uncomfortable talking about them. I am not. I can not be. I live it every day. If I stop talking about it then what happens to me, my family, my children, my community? If I stop talking about it what happens to you, your family, your children, your community. What happens to us and our country? I am not talking about race to be devise. On the contrary I am talking about race to make sure that we are inclusive. Selam.

Jena 6

I am sure you have heard about the Jena 6 by now. I am simply furious and I can't keep silent anymore! The only thing I can think is the more things change the more they stay the same. What is happening in our world? Why do we have a world where nooses can be hung from a proclaimed "white tree" and when black students protest they are told it was only a prank, get over it.

Why can a District Attorney (white) accompanied by the town's police be allowed to demand from students to end their protest and telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen." (Of course) a series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. What???????? Now these 6 students are in a fight literally for their lives. Let's be clear. At the school when white students fought they were suspended or in a very rare case expelled but these students have been jailed for almost a year and are being charged with conspiracy to commit murder!

I am not trying to start a virtual race riot on my blog however I do want to use my blog as a tool for good. Not only to talk about adoption but to talk about issues that will affect the way we parent our children. As we all know sometimes our blogdom seems like a utopia but this world is nothing fair and our Ethiopian African American babies will have a lot to contend with.

So what can we do?

On September 20th everyone is being asked if they can get to Louisiana in support of Jena 6 to please do so. If you can't then buy a free Jena 6 T-Shirt or at a minimum wear black on that day.

Come on People...enough is enough! What type of world are we bringing our kids into. If we don't stand for something we will fall for anything. Tomorrow this could be our children sitting under "the white" tree. Selam.