My son is this beautiful caramely tan color with these bright eyes and smiles at everyone. I am bias, but I know my son is one of those gorgeous kids, aside from the fact that he is half black/half white. So I did it. Why the heck not? I'm probably never going to be rich and college will be soooo expensive by the time Jonah gets there. So I took him to a pageant. There was a $750 savings bond for the winner. I did. Haha. He's only a baby, He just sees people smiling at him and he is an attention freak. I live in Michigan. You'd think. You'd think.
Anyway, its not the fact that he didn't win, I really could give a rip. I put him in it mostly for fun, and because of how many people tell me how beautiful he is. I didn't really expect him to win, although it would have been cool. Its that all the winners were white. And it was about 60/40 white people to minorities. I don't understand.

I can deal with the negative looks I get from bittys at the grocery store. I can deal with people thinking all sorts of negative things about me. I really don't care. I'm over it. But something that blatent, if I hadn't been so disappointed and almost in tears I probably would have said something.

I think that I am going to get a babysitter and protest their next little pageant at the mall across town.
And I know that the other parents were thinking the same thing.
Outrage.
ITS 2006 PEOPLE. GET A GRIP.

Emily,
some people will never get a grip. It is a sad state but true.

That kind of bias is learned at an early age; and overcoming it is more of an effort than most people are willing to put forth.

Sad but true. You would think that in a situation like this where on the application it gives a statement saying that entrants are not discriminated against in the matter of ***, race, creed, blahblahblah, and all that other civil rights stuff, they would be bound to that statement. Its just for fun and its about the kids. I will never put myself through that again, I don't really think jonah cares hes only 5.5 months.
I understand that people have a hard time accepting things that were taught to them as being different and bad at a young age, its just a shame.
But the thing is, I didn't think it would be a problem here. I never would have payed the entrance fee if I thought for one minute there would be blatent racism involved. Lansing Michigan is very very familiar with interracial children. There are a lot of them here. Not just black/white. So I guess I thought it would be fine. But I guess just since there are a lot of mixed kids, doesn't mean that people accept them.

I agree Mr. B but, if my grandfather, at 81 years old in rural southern Georgia, can move past it, it is possible. He, however, had a reason to move past the bias, love. Love from me and 2 beautiful little girls that adored him(my sister's daughter is bi-racial as well)and his love for us.

You know Emily, people often think of the south as a place with prevalent prejudice but, I am finding more northern cities with that mind set in all races. So much for the sterotype huh?

I agree with you wholeheartedly.
at first I was apprehensive applying to a school in GA. I have a very good friend there who is a black man. He says that there is no problem with mixed people there and everyone in the south is so nice, talk about southern hospitality etc etc. So I visited with Jonah a month or so ago. I love it. My only problem is that it is so darn hot. HAHA.
I don't understand what it is about the racism here. It's rare, but when it happens its very deep and it is very blatent. Ah well, I'm not really into rying to figure out the psychology of a racist. I just wish I could change a mind or two.

Emily,
Like I told a new client, that had just moved south, last summer, "We don't live here for the month of July. We live here for the month of February." I have been walking around most of this month in sleeveless shirts, open toed shoes and light weight jeans. While I come here and find everyone else freezing. Now mind you I am 5 hours south of Atlanta.

I live in michigan. I think thats all I need to say. Atlanta will be hot for me for that first year. Jonah will love it. He hates to be in clothes. I think if he could talk he'd tell me "The less the better, mom. Strip me down." haha

I am moving to Atlanta soon, also. If you really do end up there, we should get together for coffee.

hey Emily,

so you entered Jonah in a pagent?? can i tell you that i have definetly thought about that. i know, and everyone else does...that mixed babies are the cutest in the world...its like the mix makes them extra cute! im really sorry that he didnt win...and who knows...it was prbably cause he was mixed! but its always going to be like that...people just wont change. how did you find that pagent?? i would love to put kaleb in something like that just to prove the point!

catch ya later!

callie

Sorry, I haven't been on the board lately. It was one of those pageants that you go to in the mall. I;m not doing any of those. As far as I am concerned if we have to pay an entry fee, it;s not worth it

Emandbaby- I wouldnt let all what happened get to me. Those people involved in the judging were probobly already pre-disposed to a certain look and although your son probobly was cuter than those other babies they will have a hard time getting up to par on the mix of races that is fast becomming popular in this country. Even though you live in a large city sometimes small groups of people stick together and share ideals,etc. I really dont care for pagents, when I see what some people go through for their kids to win...actually its more like the kids go through it! I saw one little 7 yr old made up she looked like she was 18!
On a personal note, I have bi-racial kids too. Half black and half hispanic. I used to get a lot of grief and at first just ignored it but now I will say something. I live in a city that is very diverse now, but sometimes I still see some separatism when we are in a "more affluent" part of town. Just stay strong you guys will do great. Just wait till your son is a teenager and watch how many girls will be calling for him!

thiats really scary. I am glad I had a boy though if you know what I mean