Reply to Racial issues in DCPS for mixed race kids

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I really don't think biracials are being harassed about their identity. I think that the way race is lived is highly personal. This discussion includes issues of color and class. There is also a strong undercurrent of power which is part of discussions of racism. If someone on the street says you are black and you don't feel that way, that person at most has made you have a bad day. If someone excludes you from an opportunity because of your race and/or ethnicity this is something completely different. The challenge in a school setting is that you want your child to be treated with respect and not discriminated against.

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How did your parents present to you issues of race/racism/opportunities, etc?  I realize this is a vague and loaded question, but raising bi-racial children, as much as possible, I would like them to "be above" racial slurs will also subtly preparing them.  To me, the fact that you don't recall teasing speaks volumes, whether it's the way your parents prepared you, or how you prepared yourself?  That is useful information, at least to me.  Thanks![/quote]

PP - My parents also said nothing to me about race, however I had opportunities to interact heavily with both sides of my extended families in situations where my immediate family represented the only white or black people in the room. My black and white extended families fully embraced me and both of my parents, and over time they learned to fully embrace each other as well. For example, my parental grandparents would travel with us to the home of my maternal grandparents for Christmas. Race was only one part of the difference -- my white family tends to be republican from the North (with the strong exception of my dad), while my black family is democratic and lives in the South. I had many examples of loving AA and whites who were my family and always put love first.

Growing up I was always in educational situations that were predominantly black (elementary school) or white (high school), and participated in summer and extracurricular activities that were split in a similar way. I went to summer day and overnight camps that were almost entirely black or white throughout my childhood and would attend a few weeks of each every summer, while I went to sports and academic camps that were also entirely black or white during the school year.

My parents exposed me to both of my cultures and I always had loving grandparents, aunts and uncles who supported me. I think some of the strong reactions on this board may be from individuals who were not able to interact with both of their parents and/or their extended family, which certainly was the case for many biracial families in the past. This can be extremely hurtful when one parent would leave due to the pressure of an inter-racial relationship or grandparents did not acknowledge their grandchildren. Fortunately this dynamic has changed in this country for most bi-racial families.

Put love first, expose your kids to all parts of their cultures and they will turn out well.[/quote]

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