HAND IN HAND

Ok, so this is something I need to say about the events of my wonderful weekend. Talking to my girlfriend last night about the fun times, she made me aware of a situation that happened that I was not aware of. My plan was to take them to Bever's Kitchen in Chappell Hill. This fabulous old house that has been converted into a restaurant that serves a variety of home cooked meals along with just about any kind of pie, cobbler, cookie, bread pudding you can think of. All homemade and several of them being my own mothers recipes. It was going to be a real treat. The walls in the restaurant are covered in gifts to purchase. Upon arriving at the restaurant it had already closed for the day. Disappointed.... So, instead since we were already in Chappell Hill I suggested the Chappell Hill Cafe. It has been there forever and the food is pretty good. Owned and operated by the meat market next door. The steaks are big and yummy.

I was so excited about having us altogether that thinking anything would go wrong never ever crossed my mind. Apparently it did. She has 3 children one of which is this amazing,bright eyed, smart, funny, enthusiastic 11 year old girl. Her personality is one that compares to the children you see in sitcoms. Quirky, and witty, says what she wants, and is comfortable in her own skin. Not afraid to be goofy. Friendly and loving, considerate and kind. The last thing in this world I ever thought about her was the color of her skin. You see, she is a biracial child, and although that should never matter, she got to see the ugly side of it in this restaurant on Saturday.


Apparently there were people in there that felt it necessary to make her feel uncomfortable with there stares and the rolling of there eyes. I was completely unaware of this situation and that may have been for good reason. It makes me hotter than a firecracker to think that any person would do this to anyone, and even angrier a child. One that is being molded and experiences like this could forever scar. Self esteem is a huge part of what type of adult we turn into. What could they possibly have gained from this? It is absurd ! This little girl felt as if she needed to leave the restaurant and sit in the car because if this ignorance. What?! My insides turn when I try to imagine how she must have felt that day not knowing where to turn and who to tell. Keeping it in. Letting it pick away at her beautiful character. Why would an adult, a grown adult do such a thing? I really just don't get it. Have we not come far enough in this world? We must have a long way to go. I am sad for her and hope that she can use this experience as a bouncing board to rise above the negativity. For realizing that there are people out there that are so insecure with themselves and can't break away from what there grandparents told them. Use it to hold her head up high and be proud of her heritage. Stand tall and be proud. That was her restaurant to be in. That was her bacon cheesburger to eat. Her chocolate milk to sip on that 1950's barstool. She had every right to be there as anyone. The ones who should probably stay home are the racist pigs that preyed on a little girl that day.

Look at that face! Look at the future of this world. Look at what it should be. Carefree and happy. I wait for the day that being who you are is all that matters in this world. Not what color your skin is. Are we alone? In this world like this. Is this country, the only country that has this? Why? How do we change it? Look at that face! My contribution to this world is to teach my own children not to judge by color. Not to say hurtful names, and look for what is good in all. Standing firm against anyone that has a rude remark about other races. calling it out for what it is and embarrassing them for thinking that way and being associated with it. I do not read any of the racist emails that go around about our President, or any other race. If I come upon them and see that it is offensive I quickly delete them. Maybe if enough people deleted them then maybe just maybe they would be stopped in there tracks before too many people are harmed by there content. All these things are small and maybe being able to affect my immediate family is what it takes. We learned the negatives from years and years of our ancestors telling us what is good and what is bad. Am I not doing the same thing? By telling my children that every person and living thing on this planet is deserved to be here and has every right to live in peace as the next.

That was our day, to be together, and get acquainted with one another after so many years. This was not to be messed with in my mind. It was tainted at that moment for one of the members of her family and I wish only I could have looked them in there eyes and made them feel shame for there behavior. Instead I am here venting about this problem in our world that needs to be fixed. In the meantime coming together to support and love the ones closest to us is all we can do. Next time we are altogether and if this ever happens again I would hope she would trust us to know we care and won't take it. Love.....