Kinky Gazpacho: 13 Years Later

Hola Meltingpot Readers,

For you my faithful readers, you know I don't use this blog to talk too much about my 'personal life,' but I wanted to share that yesterday el esposo and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. Here's how we celebrated. El esposo got up as usual before 7 a.m. to get the boys ready and off to school. I didn't see him again until 10 p.m. when he arrived home from a full day of teaching and then taking classes. I worked all day, then spent my evening hauling kids to and from baseball practice, then karate class. I think we wished each other Happy Anniversary for the first time at midnight before falling into an exhausted sleep.

Not much of a celebration right? Well, we were supposed to celebrate last weekend in New York, just the two of us, but the grandparents, for reasons beyond their control, couldn't keep the kids as planned. So the New York 'just the two of us' weekend, became a family outing.

But guess what? I'm still happy. I'm still 'celebrating.' I think the fact that we can keep this crazy lifestyle going, that we have three happy kids, that we are individually and as a couple chasing our dreams, is pretty awesome. And even though el esposo and I fight -- in English and Spanish -- I still think he's pretty darn cute and he can always make me laugh. Thirteen years later, yeah, that's something to celebrate.

Happy! Happy!

Peace!

Mixed Messages: Life in a Multiracial Family

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Everybody and their mother sent me a link to this story in the New York Times about the continuing struggles with acceptance and racism experienced by multiracial families. The stares. The hostility. The questions. Yep, it all comes with the territory.

Coincidentally, the other day, babygirl and I were at the local dollar store, buying paper towel for a dollar, when the chatty cashier leaned over to peek at babygirl. Ms. Chatty Cathy was Black, by the way. So, she leans over, looks at babygirl and exclaims, "Oh, isn't she as White as snow." It felt more like an accusation than a random comment and I didn't have a response for her. And I didn't really have time to respond because the other cashier quickly ran over to exclaim how beautiful babygirl was. But first she asked, "Is she yours?" I simply smiled and said, yes, the little Snow White baby is mine.

And I left that store and reflected on the incident for exactly one minute. And then I didn't think about it again. I'm so used to the comments, the questions, and the stares after three babies that came out all pale faced and straight haired. But I did pause last night to wonder what it would feel like to have a baby that looked something like me. At least one that had enough melanin that our biological connection would not be questioned. I've never had that experience.

But unlike the family in the Times, I think because I was born Black and grew up in a very White environment where I stood out like Cocoa Puff in a box of Kixx, I'm used to being stared at, questioned, and misunderstood. I'm not saying I like it, I'm just used to it. And my guess is, for White Americans who enter into interracial relationships, it must be shocking to have those multiculti moments thrust upon you after walking incognito through the world. Hmmm...

What do you think dear readers? Do you and/or you and your family get stared at, questioned or even attacked for crossing the color line? Do you care? How do you respond?

I'm listening.

Peace.

It's Love Day!

I'd like to say something deep and meaningful about love, but instead I've provided some Meltingpot (eye)Candy for your Valentine's Day treat. Here's to Lovin in technicolor!

Enjoy!


Peace and Love!