Growing up black in a white family

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:19:50 GMT

Interesting article. I'm 62 years old and African American. I was raised in a small town in New Jersey not far from Brian Williams. During that period of the Civil Rights struggle hate was always on TV, from hanging bodies, beating woman/children even the missing three student Cheney, Goodwin and Schwartz.
But my school wouldn't allow race issure in the school. I had friends of all cultures. Now what your the study doesn't show is my best friend from 7th grade and I have been friends for over 50 years and she's white. Don't worry we argue, discuss and debate everything and everyone but we remain friends. It's funny JoAnn has gone to events where she is the only white person and I have gone with her being the only black. We demand respectful treatment from others no matter what they think or feel. We're honest with each other and can truly speak our mines to each other. We realized at a young age that God created both of us he just used crayons. I learned as a child that when your born you have no problem with race, when your dead you have no problem with race it's when your in the middle called life that seems to be a problem. To me it's just a waste of time and you could be doing something else. JoAnne and I are old now and laugh at the pass and continue to argue the present and future but race has never been an issue in the 50 plus years.

Growing up black in a white family

Maeve, Williston, ND — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:16:40 GMT

We have adopted six children from the foster care system. We are white. Our children are black and biracial. The struggles we parents feel about race do not seem to affect our children. They don't think there is anything strange about having parents whose skin color doesn't match their own. Perhaps they will have a different feeling when they grow up. Perhaps not. It's possible that transracial families are leading the way toward acceptance and love of all races. Regardless, we know we are blessed to be a family and feel that somehow we were all chosen to be together. And guess what? I didn't need training in how to "do" black hair...I sought that information - and any other I needed - from my black friends!

Growing up black in a white family

Richard Harris Houston, TX — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:01:12 GMT

Very heartwarming story

thanks
Richard
Houston,TX

Growing up black in a white family

Nat — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:28:48 GMT

Your are priveledged. God made you that way for a reason. enjoy yourself

Growing up black in a white family

Lisa smith, Seattle, Wash — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:17:07 GMT

Maeve for the sake of your children get your head out of the sand. Your attitude is dangerous

Growing up black in a white family

Bethany — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:24:46 GMT

I watched the snippet w/Aaron Stigger & his mom and
I can totally relate & agree with what Aaron said about adopting children of different ethnic backgrounds and then living in an area with families that look just like theirs, being in schools and activites with children & families just like theirs. I am Vietnamese & African American, adopted and have white parents. I also have a brother that is African American and a sister that is Indian. It was very important for my parents to raise me & my siblings in an neighborhood with families & children that were just like ours. We were brought up in a Milwaukee neighborhood in Milwaukee (Grant Blvd/Sherman Park area) and all the families on our block either adopted children of different races or were interacial familes. Either way, I grew up comfortable in my own skin and there were other children around that I was able to relate to. As I watched Aaron & his mom interact with eachother...I reminded me of the relationship that I have with my parents. They are my parents, despite color/race, etc...none of that matters.
Peace