My son is blissfully unaware of his racial identity. He recognizes that his skin is darker than mine and that his father has a lighter complexion, but he hasn’t yet grasped the complexities and historical implications tied to his dark skin in our society. Concepts like systemic prejudice, the legacies of the slave trade, and the Civil Rights Movement remain foreign to him. He has yet to learn about the significant events in places like Ferguson and Cleveland, or the profound meaning behind the phrase “black lives matter.” To him, skin color is simply a characteristic, not a divider.
While my son is currently sheltered from the painful history faced by the African American community in the United States, this innocence won’t last. It’s inevitable that he will soon be made aware of his differences and the fact that he is, indeed, black. As he enters grade school, he will be introduced to Black History Month, learning about the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our nation. He will discover that the freedoms we enjoy today were hard-won, and our family’s multiracial makeup is a testament to progress and liberty.
As he absorbs these lessons, he will learn about the courage of historical figures like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jackie Robinson. He’ll come to understand the laws that have been enacted and the progress that has been made, but he’ll also discover that the journey toward racial equality is ongoing.
Right now, my son sees the world through a lens of love and trust, freely using different crayons to color the skin of those he cherishes. To him, these attributes are not defined by race but by the connections we build. Even at just four years old, he recognizes that love and trust form the foundation of all relationships, paving the way for forgiveness and unity. It’s this love that can combat the flames of hatred and fear, creating bonds of strength in a world often marred by division. Love truly has the power to heal.
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In summary, while my son may not yet understand his identity as a black child, he embodies the principles of love and trust. As he grows, he will learn about his heritage, the struggles of his ancestors, and the continuing fight for equality.
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