Ok...so I knew that this issue would be coming up, but I never knew it would come up before we brought the child home. As some of you may or may not know, Red Wing had a murder last week. It was over drugs and it was stupid. However, throughout the week, it was amazing to me just how many racial remarks were made. Some people were saying things like "those stupid blacks" or "how did I know it was a black guy" or"(blacks) are ruining our community." I just wanted to scream "PEOPLE WAKE UP". It is not the "blacks" that are ruining our community, it is the fact that we are seeing a widening gap between priveledge and poverty and no one seems to care. To a person who lives on the street, can't afford food, doesn't have health care, feels that life is hopeless (you get my point), they will resort to anything to just survive. If you have nothing, you have nothing to lose. If this was your reality, who wouldn't want to go to jail. You are fed 3 meals a day, you get to work out, you get to be outside ( or inside if it's cold), you get a job, and you can get an education. This sounds much more appealing than having to live outside with no heat or food and it is -17 degrees on average. Sorry...that is my little soap box.
So...back to racism. The comments just killed me. Here we are, adopting and African child, who will connect the most with African-Americans and other minority cultures, and we are surrounded by people making these remarks. They aren't strangers. They are people who know us and know our situation. It haunts me to think of our future son/daughter having to hear someone say "those stupid blacks."
I am writing this entry to ask that all of you who are a part of our lives, please look at your own racisms. It is very difficult and very humbling, but it is going to be so important to us in the very near future. We know that we can't protect our future son/daughter for all racism, but we really don't want it coming from the people we know, love, and trust.
I hope this gives everyone some insight as to where we are going as a family. We know racism ins't going to go away, but we would appreciate it if the comments, the hatred, the anger could be put aside if we are around. Love XOXOX Brooke, Ryan and Reese
