Race, Still An Issue
Friday, August 01, 2008 Posted In HH , skin color Edit This 7 Comments »
So last night, during Tot-Less Night #2, HH and I went to a local bar and grill that we have not been to yet for drinks and dinner. And I swear the moment we walked in there were stares all around. Are you serious people? Have you never seen a man with darker skin before? It’s 2008. There is a black man running for President and you stare when one walks into your bar?
Before I go off about this, let me clear a few points. HH’s dad is black. His momma is white. Together they made HH. And he’s grand. He is a truly wonderful person. However, a lot of people think he is Mexican or of some other Latin descent. He has this wonderful caramel skin color. He has “nappy” hair but shaves it close to his head. It’s not uncommon for him to get the question, “What are you?” Just a note, don’t ask that question. He’s a man, a father, a husband, a friend. A human. Does it matter if you can’t figure out his ethnic background? Does it change things for you if his dad is black and not white? Do things change when you find out he’s not Mexican but rather of a mixed race?
So, back to last night, we ended up eating outside on the patio because I got tired of the stares. We live in small-ish town, about 12,000 people or so. It’s mainly a white Catholic town. The nearest cities are St. Louis 90 miles west of us and Indianapolis about the same distance to the east. Chicago is about 3-4 hour drive north. We are surrounded by corn and cows, not a diverse population of people.
Anyways, stop staring people. Yes, my husband has a little more “flare” than most people. It’s part of why I love him. And just because his skin is a little darker than yours does not make him less human. In fact, I think it makes him more so because he has the sensitivity not to stare at those who appear to be a little different.
Before I go off about this, let me clear a few points. HH’s dad is black. His momma is white. Together they made HH. And he’s grand. He is a truly wonderful person. However, a lot of people think he is Mexican or of some other Latin descent. He has this wonderful caramel skin color. He has “nappy” hair but shaves it close to his head. It’s not uncommon for him to get the question, “What are you?” Just a note, don’t ask that question. He’s a man, a father, a husband, a friend. A human. Does it matter if you can’t figure out his ethnic background? Does it change things for you if his dad is black and not white? Do things change when you find out he’s not Mexican but rather of a mixed race?
So, back to last night, we ended up eating outside on the patio because I got tired of the stares. We live in small-ish town, about 12,000 people or so. It’s mainly a white Catholic town. The nearest cities are St. Louis 90 miles west of us and Indianapolis about the same distance to the east. Chicago is about 3-4 hour drive north. We are surrounded by corn and cows, not a diverse population of people.
Anyways, stop staring people. Yes, my husband has a little more “flare” than most people. It’s part of why I love him. And just because his skin is a little darker than yours does not make him less human. In fact, I think it makes him more so because he has the sensitivity not to stare at those who appear to be a little different.
7 comments:
Astonishing.
I am speechless!
Honestly, Dawn, I am not surprised one bit. i(we) have grown up in this area and should recognize by now that this area will NEVER change or progress in the ways the rest of the world has. Even the people with so called "class" and the uppercrust of the local society who tout their money and worldly ways are still stuck in the segregated old thinking ways. i am very pessimistic with people who talk their talk because they never back up the talk with actions. In my book,actions speak louder than words and for this hillbilly community of Effingham county, they will never accept anyone who is not raised here, stays here, and dies here to maintain their tunnel vision of arrogance. Sorry for the soap box
Ignorance, ignorance, ignorance. Good for you for writing this important post. Unbelievable.
I am shocked but not...who today isn't "mixed"? And who really cares if they are...drives me nuts too.
'Hotness' aside, I have to say that I can't see any reason for anyone to stare at HH. ;)
Maybe things are just really different here in Australia, or I'm just incredibly naive.
But I can't imagine people staring at someone for anything less than purple hair or something!
Maybe they are staring because your hubby is so cute...... I mean he is quite handsome. SAM
Wow. Things like that make me sad. Here's to spreading enlightenment - a wise man once hoped that people could be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Well, we're not there yet, but let's keep trying.
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