Mom On A Mission

I am finding lately that I am yearning for culture -- but more specifically Black culture, exposure for my children, little brown friends for them to mirror. Why? Well, my oldest son reported to me the other day that there weren't many Black friends at his school, a fact I already knew and hoped he would miraculously overlook. Foolish, I know. I mean, my daughter had already gone through the wanting "yellow hair" stage and shunning the brown American Girl right in the middle of the shop (simultaneously ripping my heart out and bringing me close to tears). So, expecting my son to somehow not notice he's one of a handful of chocolate chips in the cookie was being hopeful.

So, now I find myself on a mission: I am hoping for an invitation to join Jack and Jill of America, a Black family organization started back in 1938 by a mom and her friends who wanted their children to experience the same advantages as other children; I have started the process to start a local chapter of Mocha Moms, Inc., an organization created to support stay-at-home mothers of color. My interest in both these groups has me speaking to every Black mom I see in grocery stores and parks, outside the kids' schools and around every cul-de-sac. And I'm normally a shy person, so you should see me go!

I simply want my children to not feel like the minority for ONCE. I really wish for them to not notice color -- this is a perfect world -- but unfortunately, others do. So, I'll continue to teach them to love others regardless of race. But, at the same time, I'll continue to seek out the children who are living the same journey.