This morning, while most of the house still lay quiet, Sully, 3, and I snuggled on the couch. He loves to cover me with kisses and occasionally lick me. (Nice.) So, out of the blue, he asks me a question that only a three-year-old could get away with:
"Why is your face pink?"
And, in this still moment, while the streetlamps still burned and before Good Morning America had predicted my doom based on the $700 billion bailout, I realize that my little boy has discovered, for all practical purposes, race.
Acting on a hunch that he did not think HE was pink, I responded, "What color are you?"
"I'm brown," he said.
ME: "Really? Well, what color is daddy?"
SULLY: "He's brown, too."
ME: What color is sissy?
SULLY: "Ju-yet's brown AND pink."
ME: Oh, what color is baby?
SULLY: "Ummmmmmm. She black."
Red and Yellow, Brown, Black and Pink
They are precious, don't you think?
Sully loves the little children of the world.
20 comments:
Precious thing! Since we deal with the race issue a lot at our house this spoke to this mother's heart.
what a goreous recount .... blessed are these moments in time when the babes speak ....
And your imagery in black and white was so befitting ...
Nice one Jen - le xo
This is really a heart warmer. It made me smile.
Oh Jen what a delightful conversation to have with a 3 year old!
I also love how children kiss and lick, they are such special beings, they melt our hearts and feed our souls.
Take care
Peggy
I just loved this post - I had to come back for another read ... and let me say baby and sully and ju ju are just all divine ...
Isn't it wonderful that little children don't see race? Your kids are beautiful - like you!
Kat
Your children are absolutely precious, Jen.
Reminds of when Lea Rhodes took Emma to Lily's ultrasound. After the black and white pictures were printed and handed out Emma asked when the baby would be brown:C)
Wonderful recount of a priceless conversation! Beautiful children!!!
Your family is beautiful, Jen.
And your hair...wow! I'm envious, lol.
I remember when my middle daughter first made a comment about race. She was 2 years old, and we lived in Albuquerque at the time, where there are a lot of "brown" people, but not so many African Americans.
Now keep in mind, that we have never been ones to refer to people by color at all at home; generally we find that names work just fine. So imagine my surprise as we are strolling past an AA couple and my cherub suddenly yells out, "Mama! BLAAAAAACK PEOPLE!"
I just smiled and nodded and kept walking, lol.
What a lovely post! I just love the way you explained to him the differences in each of us and how you seem to have explained it to him with such simplicity and love! Wouldn't it be nice if everyone would have the acceptance and love of the innocent child? I'm so glad that you left a comment! I'll definitely be checking back with you!! Thanks for leaving a comment!!
Darling Jen I have awarded you - come on over when you can for a champers - hugs le
This is absolutely the best post I have read in a long time! Sully nailed it ~ didn't he? And you responded so beautiful, yes, they are beautiful colors. Heres to your multi-cultural family! Many Fall Blessings! Katie
what a gorgeous colourful family you have -and you all photograph beautifully too!
sorry Jen, I just realised I was logged on as my husband -please don't think he was leaving girlie comments when it was me! You do still have a beautiful colourful family!
has he noticed yet that daddy has a tail and mommy does not? My friend's daughter asked "why does daddy have a tail?"
I think my kids see colors too, but luckily they don't treat people differently because of the color of their skin.
Beautiful post, gorgeous family! I loved reading this, Jen.
Hugs,
Deb
oh jen! i cracked up reading this! it reminds me of when i was 6 and a classmate asked me "why does that white lady hug you after school?" that "white lady" was my aunt denise who has been married to my mom's brother for 30 years. i think that was the first time i realized that aunt denise looked different from the rest of the family. later that day, while hugging her, i said "why do you hug me even though you are white." she looked at me and said "the same reason you hug me, because i love you."
--Ja'Rena
cute!
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