6 AM

Its 6 AM.  I have been up for about 30 minutes with Lincoln.  My wife stayed up earlier  He has RSV and we have had a difficult week or so.  He is getting better.  I mention this not for pity, but b/c it leads to something that has been rattling around in my head on these mornings (many have been earlier than this one).  This one, actually, was good.  Last week, it was much worse and he is getting better.

I look at my son, and I see my son.  He is rather light skinned, blue eyes (I know), and sandy brown hair (that which he actually has).  My daughters also are light skinned, but not fair like white people.  The oldest has brown hair, brown eyes.  They younger girl has very dark hair.  Her skin tone may be a little darker than both other kids.  My skin tone is clearly darker.  My wife, for those that don't know, is white.

The questions is simple, what will people see when they see my children?  What do people see when they see me?  Am I black? Am I white?  Am I mixed (bi-racial if I am being politically correct)?  What am I?  how many people see me as a person.  I know my friends see me as a person, but in Court, or in the store, or when driving, what do people see?  What should they see?

I have been considering these ideas as the children get older primarily b/c the oldest is asking more questions. Her questions are innocent -- why is my skin darker.  what is brown papa (my dad) darker?  why is mom lighter.  Those answers are easy, but as we all know the questions will get harder as she, and all of the children grow up.

What am I?  What are they?  Of course, the best question is who are they?  who am I?  That question, while it might be right, is often the question that is not asked.  I did not intend to write about race regularly on this site, though, I think the conversation is too important to not discuss.  It is a matter that is near and dear to my heart.  Not because I am who I am, but because I firmly believe the only way to improve things even more is to discuss our beliefs, our prejudices, our stereotypes, and our ideals so that race is not in the background, but instead, it is in the forefront. It needs to be discussed so that my children don't have to worry about whether sees them as White, Black, or something else.  They need to grow up, and live, in a place where it simply doesn't matter.

Until next time, this is your friendly neighborhood human being,

CAP