Wednesday, November 5, 2008

America. Land of Hope

I'm so happy for America. No matter what your political beliefs are, you have to FEEL it.

Truthfully, I've worried about Jude. I've spent a lot of time worrying about him. He is so perfect, so sensitive, so open. Of course I worry about any struggles he will face, as he'll face many. But, one struggle that I have held fearfully, is about race. I worry that he'll find aspects of being raised in a multicultural family difficult (although, coming from a multicultural family, I think the positives will well outweigh the difficulties). I worry about the day when someone will break his heart with a racist comment. I worry that he won't know what to say, and that he'll be angry later for his silence...and that he'll secretly cry himself to sleep because of it (this fear I have shamefully experienced). That, before he's old enough to logically process the hurtful ideas as "crazy", he'll question them...or worse, himself. Even just for a moment. Fearful that I won't do an adequate job preparing him. Therefore, I might even hurt him. I tear writing that.
This change changes those fears dramatically.
The US has spoken. The world has spoken. I can now look Jude in the eye and rest assured that the perfect color of his beautiful chocolate skin will never hold him back. From anything.
And my Jude has things to do.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written Judah's Mommy!!! I have so much hope today for all of us!

Anonymous said...

yes he does!! and I am so thrilled that one of those things on his long list is to visit his auntie this weekend and fill her world with his wonderfulness!!

Danielle - you are such a good mama. and wife. and sister-in-law. thank you for taking the best care of y/our boys.

hooray for Obama! hooray for the US! hooray for Judah!

Anonymous said...

I have those exact thoughts and fears for Tessa. She won't always be little and sweet to everyone that looks at her and it scares the crap out of me! Especially living where we do - there is a move for us in the future.

Every fiber of my being is beyond thrilled that we now have a black president elect,but,I just wish so badly that he and I were on the same page with some issues that are very important to me and my family.

Well written girl! Why am I still up?? :) xo

Anonymous said...

Thailand fully celebrated! What an emotional day!

Anonymous said...

I have those fears, too. Every parent must, multi-racial or not -- that we will not be able to prepare our sweet, open-hearted babies. I want to just keep her home with me forever. Seriously. Have you seen how mean kids can BE to each other?!

I worry that I won't set much of a good example myself ... I imagine a racist comment said in front of me about my baby and me basically just turning around and whopping the person. I've replayed my imagined scenarios a bazillion times in my head -- jerky people on subways, on sidewalks, at parties. ... I always just end up in a fist fight. (The last person I hit was my little brother. When I was 8.)

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain as well...all we can do is educate our children by exposing them to as many experiences, people, and cultures as possible together before they venture off on their own. Instead of holding them too close with fear that they may run into that ignorant person that scars their perception of themselves...even though as a mother this is our first instinct.

That being said...there is a new spark of hope in America.

We are leaving the country for vacation next week...and it is nice to actually feel proud of our country...I know that may piss some people off...but frankly, I have been rather embarrassed of our country, especially when traveling to others.

Cheers,
jill

Anonymous said...

With mamas/dads and women/men like those responding and especially those that will or have adopted, struggles continue. "Hope springs eternal" -to coin a phrase.
We love our babes and look how different the world is-just today, because we exercised our right to vote. Hope the visit with Heather was FUN! Love Nana.