This makes me happy!

Brandi - posted on 11/24/2008

I agree that ignorance is the absence of knowledge. And - those poor people have missed so much! I once was ignorant about people that are different than me. I am from a small town that (when I was growing up) was all white except a few hispanic families and 2 kids in my HS were Asian - adopted by white people. Honestly, I just did not know people who were different. College opened my eyes, my world, and my heart.

I am just glad that I had parents that taught me that people are people and that I should have love for everyone as God does. Now, when I started dating interracialy, I realized they were a bit more close minded then they taught me. But, it was too late. : )

But, the ignorant comments can really be funny - it is funny that some people really do ask those things, think those things, etc. However, the prejudice comments make me feel sorry for those people. At times, I have tried to educate some people. (not strangers - people that I know and have expressed prejudice opinions) But, I try to just let the rest roll off my back. OR I use my wit and have some smart @ss comment. Can't help it - I am a smart mouth at times. : )

Carolyn - posted on 11/24/2008

We, my friends and family, make fun of those that are ignorant, and closed minded. Isn't that pathetic that some of the old beliefs are still carried over today???? I can't even waste my time or energy getting upset, but rather find humor or empathy for those that have not moved on. Hopefully, they aren't passing those beliefs to the next generation. I do believe it is ignorance or fear of not knowing. Most of the people you find who do seem prejudice, are those that have never had the priveledge or chance to get to know someone out of their norm...I feel sorry for THEM

Bobbie - posted on 11/24/2008

When people are offensive or try and hurt me, I try to just say 'Ignorance is bliss'! We cant let others mess with us. Sometimes you just have to laugh bc i want to cry a lot of times. Just alway remember they are the ones missing out on living a true life. This life shouldnt be about colors and races or where your from or how exactly your put together as far as nationalities; but who we are inside. What the persons content? Is there malice in their heart? And so on. I look for substance and not whats on the cover. After having a baby(especially a bi-racial baby), I realized why we still say those sayings that our great grandparents & others have said: dont cry over spilled milk-or thrown up milk at that, dont judge a book by its cover, etc. I use to think they were just ways of older people justifying things but they make more sense now. We are all blessed. Thats all we need to remember!

Brandi - posted on 11/24/2008

I wish that I had seen this conversation earlier. I think that Carolyn and Bobbie seem like people who I would be great friends with - on here and in "real life".

I love that you both can see the humor in the ignorance of others and the sometimes crazy world.

Bobbie - posted on 11/23/2008

Just keep on laughing bc thats what keeps us from crying a lot of times! Its good talking to you. Makes me feel like im not as much as an outcast as people make me seem to be. We know who we are and our children do too, so thats what matters. we'll keep in touch and in sure i'll have a story soon due to the gatherings of the holidays. Im from Breaux Bridge, La. and he's from Jackson, Ms. so we have the black side and the cajuns. Interesting combo and fun! Take care. Hope you guys have a happy Thanksgiving!

Carolyn - posted on 11/23/2008

that's funny about your brother, funny how things work out, but kinda neat in the end. Yeah, I've always been considered the black sheep of the family. When my first son was born, my dad wouldn't even look at him in the nursery, within 4mos. my dad was hooked. I too was shocked of his reaction bc i was always brought up we were all equal..i guess they meant..we're equal until you get pregnant. Anyway, it all worked out and my kids got to know both cultures, that of down south louisiana, to pennsylvania dutch.......lol now that's a combo...funny. In the summer I get really dark, and a lot of my kids friends think i'm latino. Isn't funny how people put black and latino as okay, but white with anything is taboo to ole folks in this country. Oh well, keep em guessing, and make my life interesting. thanks for accepting my friend request, you seem like really "cool people". you'll have to keep me informed when you cross some humor in your life..it's not always easy to tell your white friends stories that i consider funny, they can't understand why i would laugh....laugh because people can be so ridiculous leaves me no option,but to laugh

Bobbie - posted on 11/23/2008

It sounds like your children are wonderful! I dont think his race will ever stop him from what he strives to do. He has great support on both sides of our famillies. Like my aunt says, "God didnt make color, God made love". On the other hand, my 70 yr old gfather hasnt even tried to meet him or have anything to do with him. Its his loss though. He is very educated and has traveled a lot throughout his life, so i was very surprised by his reaction. I got pregnant accidently after only a couple months of us dating and wasnt suppose to have kids due to endometriosis. We took it as a blessing and have been together since. I think he thought Law's dad would leave me or be a deadbeat but he's far from that. We dont have $ like my gfather has but thats not irrelevant. We have love. The twist on the story is when my son was 7 months old, a black girl(whom i love dearly) popped up out of the blue and has my brothers baby, who is also 22 months old,also. They lived 2 houses apart and they never dated but they oviously had a "hook up" but she swore it was someone elses child. Long story short, he is my brothers child and the boys are 7 days apart. I call them my twins. My bro and nephews mom work great together as single parents and we're one big non-traditional bi-racial family. You should see the confusion when its just my brother and i in public w/ the boys. People ask different questions and its always fun to say 'that one is mine' and 'this one is his'. When im by myself and in a hurry, if someone asks if they are twins, the answer is usually yes. Its just easier than explaining.

Carolyn - posted on 11/23/2008

I remember when kenny and kevin were like 1 and 3, i was having dinner in a rest. with my family and this lady stopped at the table and told me the kids were beautiful and asked if i adopted locally.....i said "no, they're all me" I know she felt like a real dummy..the older the kids get the less looks i get..honestly i'm so proud of my kids. they are "FINE" and my daughter is involved in so much, and overcome the school. Not only does she have the black/white, but unfortunately she inherited my overweight genes. She doesn't let it stop her though, her college application is crazy filled with activities, clubs, honors, she cheers and plays lacrose..Like i said, i'm so proud of them,...I know they have had to deal with the issue of black vs. white, but they handle it and seem to have worked through or continue to work through without having issues that have impeeded their development in any way

Bobbie - posted on 11/23/2008

I feel you, Carolyn, on the fact that im happy about Obama bc of his issues; not just bc he's mixed but bc i believe he's going to help fix some of these issues we've been faced w/ in the past few years. I think he is very intelligent and patient, but fierce and strong. Only problem is he will probably be blamed for things he cant fix overnight bc of the past doings, but the smart will over look these assumptions and focus on the great that he does. Im sure it was sooo much harder 23 years ago for you and i am glad there is more exceptance, but im no dummy. I see the stares and hear the comments every now and then. I just brush it off bc others that have problems w/ race are narrow minded and need to be inspired that we are all people. God made people- not discrimination.I think its great to see mothers stand up so tall w/ there heads held high and just being great moms to their children. Mine is only 22 months, so i know the hard parts are coming but i choose to believe hr will get picked on for anything; short,tall,skinny,fat,brown-red-blonde-black hair,etc. I will do as you did and just inforce the positive and try to make him look at the brighter side of who he reaaly is. A human being that hopefully wont fall into the trap of being prejudice.

Carolyn - posted on 11/23/2008

ps your little one is adorable

Carolyn - posted on 11/23/2008

yeah, my sons are both off at college and they both called me around midnight (i think they were happier that a black man won rather than the issues..which is cool too) i was just happy to see them get so involved. Bi-racial children are some beautiful babies, and i can tell you my sons have grown up to be handsome young men. i'm so proud of both of them for overcoming the race thing in the town we live in. i chose safe to raise them rather than urban

Lesley - posted on 11/22/2008

i am so over-the-moon about obama! (and i'm canadian) he seems like such a straighforward, intelligent, worldly man and i am hoping that he will be an excellent role model for my son. certainly there is a long way to go before people stop judging on the basis of skin colour...but this is such a momentous step. when i watched his victory speech i cried tears of joy for my little boy's future!

Carolyn - posted on 11/22/2008

i am very happy that obama is our new president, not just because he is bi-racial making history, but because his ideas are just what this country need. Makes me even prouder than i already was of my children, hopefully, the world will continue to change and some of those stereotypes will disappear. i remember when my son was in kindergarten he came home crying because some little boy called him brown bear. i put him infront of the mirror and told him hes the cutes brown bear i ever saw. my kids are now 23,21, and 17..........wow has the world changed, but still has far to go.