December 8 – Beautifully Different.
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.
Well, I certainly don't have to look far for what makes me different from most people!
Hey, girl, hey!
How I look basically confuses everyone. No one can tell where I'm from or what my ethnicity is. I can't tell you how many times I've been stared at or asked "What are you". Some people ask politely, some people not so much. I briefly dated a guy who refered to me as the United Nations, I thought it was cute and funny. I also not-so-briefly dated a guy whose mother stated that she couldn't approve of our relationship because I was multi-racial. Bitch. Big, dumb, botox-faced, ignorant bitch. (That really pissed me off, can you tell?)
A little back story. I was born in Washington State, where, in my experience, racism isn't "normal" or "accepted". I lived in the perfect neighborhood with perfect neighbors. In our cul-de-sac, we had Irish, Korean, Phillipino, Samoan, etc. All of our houses looked the same but all the families were so different. And we all got along. All of us kids would go ourside together and play capture the flag and hide and seek at night. Not once did I think I was "different" because my parents weren't the same skin color as each other. It never even entered my mind.
She...
...plus him...
...equals me!
Aaaand then we moved to Alabama, where, unfortunately, racism isn't quite so dead. It wasn't until I moved to Alabama that I realized I was "different". That's when all the "what are yous" started. At first I didn't even know what they meant, because I had always been raised thinking I was normal. Apparently, I was mistaken! I remember a classmate even being surprised at my handwriting. What the hell? Pretty sure I was writing the same letters as you, bucko. Anyway, one day I asked my mom what my dad was, what she was, and what my grandparents were, so I could give people an answer. As I write this, I realize how f*cked up that is. A 9 year old child shouldn't have to explain that to anyone. But nontheless, I found out what I am.
British, Trinidadian, French, Spanish, and Indian. Yay!
Because of my time in Alabama, it took me a long time to feel comfortable in my own skin. But here's the thing, living in Alabama made me realize that most people there are dying to fit in. We all just tried to be clones of each other. When I was in high school it was all about straight hair, rainbow flip flops, clark's wallabees, new balance tennis shoes, northface jackets and hollister clothes (yeah, looking back on it there was no sense of style either). When Mike and I went back to visit my family, Mike was literally freaked out by how similar everyone there looked. It's a little creepy, but I digress...
It took getting out for me to realize that my individuality and unique background are what make me beautiful. I wasn't made to fade into the background, my blended ethnicity forces me to stand out, and guess what? I wouldn't change it for the world. I love who I am and what I am, and I feel sorry for those who can't see beauty in all skin colors and combinations.
What is your favorite quality that is uniquely you?
1 comment:
You look so much like your Mom and you are both gorgeous :)
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