humanity
Humanity begins at home.
Skin No Darker Than a Brown Paper Bag
Skin No Darker Than a Brown Paper Bag By Kami Bryant My mother was a blonde and blue-eyed Caucasian and my father is a black man. That heritage classifies me as mixed or mulatto. My heritage also qualifies me as neither white nor black but both. It also makes it so I don’t quite fit in to one racial box. I typically either mark both boxes white and black or sometimes two or more races. I used to mark the ‘Other’ category when questioned about my race.
By Kami Bryant5 years ago in Families
Beth's Big Move
Beth parks the car in the garage, hits the garage door button and bursts excitedly through the garage access door. “Honey, you’ll never believe what just happened! Never in a million years!” George gets up from his easy chair and approaches Beth. “OK, OK, calm down a bit. Wow, something’s got you all..” “I just won $20,000!! Look at this scratch-off card!” Her husband replies, “you bought scratch-off cards?! Why? We both know those things are for idio…” “Just please look at this!" George skeptically examines the card. “My God, Beth, you’re right!! It looks like a winning lottery card!” Beth exclaims, “I never win anything! This is so strange!” The two start hugging and hopping up and down and dancing on the kitchen floor. Then, George’s brain immediately kicks into overdrive. “Let’s take a trip! Or, no! A new car! The old pickup has over 200,000 miles on it. Maybe this is a sign. Maybe it’s time. What are your thoughts? What do you want to do with it?!” How to spend it hadn’t really crossed Beth’s mind; she was still basking in the glow of having actually won something. How should they spend it? A vacation? New car? Give it to their boys? “Well…I really don’t know yet. Can I think about it?” “Yeah, of course! Let it sink in, we’ll redeem the card at the regional lottery center, and we can both start thinking about our options.” “OK, that sounds good! Thanks, hon.” The rest of the day was carefree, quiet and restful.
By Michael Hemenway5 years ago in Families
New Res Life
Our new house was a tiny two-story, two-bedroom on a remote street with four other houses. The nearest houses sat one mile to the north. The next nearest were 5 miles south in a part of town called South Superior. East End settlement began 6 miles to the east and 7 miles to west lay Billings Park. I couldn’t help but wonder how we weren’t on the reservation any more. We started out just as poor as we were before, there were even fewer kids here my age than on Red Cliff, and we were farther from other people.
By Armond Blackwater5 years ago in Families
An Expose on the "Actually Autistic" Community
Dear Readers, Before I jump into today's topic, let me make a disclaimer: The struggles of individuals on the spectrum who can mask are real. While some of us can mask and act more neurotypical and thus be treated better overall, it is still hard to find a job, make and keep friends, and even on some days, perform certain tasks. Yes, even those of us who are able to mask and present as more neurotypical, still have days where it is harder to function and complete seemingly simple tasks, such as doing the dishes, laundry, taking the trash out, getting the mail, etc. Yes, our grooming and hygiene may suffer on some days. Yes, it can be stressful for us to have a conversation, especially when the TV is on or the music is really loud. Yes, even those of us who are more neurotypical- passing struggle with a learning disability and have to sometimes fight the school, college, or university to get accommodations so we can pass all our classes. All these struggles do exist and are very real. But something has to be addressed.
By Sunny Dolen5 years ago in Families
The Black Book
It dropped onto her toes and flopped to the ground from the collection of flowers, balloons and tote bags full of bright flyers and toys from well-wishers and cancer charities. She set the gifts to one side on the unit underneath the hospital television and went back to find it.
By Kirk Kenny5 years ago in Families
The Sketching Coincidence
She sat on her favorite rock looking out at the ocean. The cold air made her cheeks sting more than usual. Tear stained cheeks added to the biting air. She was frozen from the wind and with fear from losing her job. She stood up and made her way back to her little red car. Driving home, she kept going over in her mind what her boss said. You’re always behind, you’re not focused, You’re not quick enough! The girls at work would laugh and whisper. “I should be relieved to be out of there,” she said out loud to herself. As she pulled into the driveway she could see her father through the window sitting in his chair. Closing the door, she heard him say “Well, how did it go today?” “It didn’t go well, I was let go,” she said with a sigh. “It’s your hair…your mother always said people are jealous of your hair, He said pushing himself out of his chair. He walked over to her and gave her a hug. “Don’t worry…something will come along…we will be alright. He kissed her forehead. “I don’t think it’s my hair dad…I’m sorry”, she said quietly. “You’re a talented girl you should sell your ahht,” he said in a thick New England accent. He stirred the stew on the stove adding more pepper. “Tomorrow will be a new day and luck will be on your side!” he said with a wink. “I think the wine is talking”, she laughed pointing at his half empty glass. “Let’s cheers to you leaving that crappy job!! He held his glass up. “Grab the bottle, you’ll need a big glass of wine”, he said pouring the last of his glass in the stew.
By Janet Bolton5 years ago in Families
The Vault
The Vault Dad looked proud, although it was all mom’s idea, and as I held open the trunk of the car he gave me a wink that told me we had joined the ranks of all the normal families in the neighborhood. I had the feeling that dad felt disturbed being the head of the only family on the block still watching television on a black-and-white set, but mom had told us each time we requested the upgrade, “Some people are color blind, and they’re not ashamed.” But we were ashamed, my father and I, and although the world was alive with color, our home was all gray. I noticed a brief expression of disappointment on his face when the trunk closed easily over the great cardboard box. He was looking forward to the neighbors seeing us drive through the neighborhood with our trunk tied open, bringing home our new TV.
By Chris Keyser5 years ago in Families
