Some Honesty for May's End

Fatherhood is hard.  I don't know if it's more difficult having a "mixed" or bi-racial child and family.  I am, have always been, and will always be deeply in love with my culture.  It is a source of great strength for me.  I have written about it often, as it has been the source of much of my inspiration.

At times throughout the first year of my first born's life, I've struggled at times on what to tell her, and what she needs to find out for herself.  I want her to see her humanity, and not have it stripped from her in dealing with america, or schools, or religion, or friends, or family member of friends, or even her own family members. 

I want for her to grow strong; not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.  So I penned this piece in hopes of that.  More than likely it will be the first of many.  It may not be my best work as a writer, or a father, but it is honest for the moment.

Some Honesty for May's End

For biracial babies
born 50 plus
years past the
turn of hands,
and cheeks, and first, and
post racial, but racism still
existing.
I will tell her,
Love Yourself, first & foremost.
And that,
it is good to love your neighbors,
but not always realistic.

I will instill Pride,
of Nations
with Red, Black, & Green
filling the flag.
Will break down;
Red is for the blood that was shed,
and
Black for her people,
and
Green is for the land, the motherland
Africa.

Be curious about everything,
some folks will lie, and others are ignorant,
so be mindful, stay curious, and
find the meaning for yourself...

Don’t forget to
Love yourself,
I will remind her--

Intelligence is a gift,
you should access it often.

There is also room for
laughter.
A lot of room, for a whole lot
of laughter.  And if
the room becomes small,
start knocking down walls and fill the space
with smiles and belly laughs, and tears streaming
and cheeks hurting, and deep breaths
kind of laughs

Don't forget to
Love yourself
I will remind her--

You are a lady, and
1/2 black,
but this does not mean
you will not give full effort,
or be lazy, or
blame the system.
You can build new systems,
if the ones you find,
don't work for you,
or hire you,
or have discriminatory practices.

Don't ever let anyone disrespect you

You will be trained,
so if it becomes physical, you will be
prepared.

She will know,
that Dad will always be here,
as she knows now that,
Daddy loves her, Daddy loves her, Daddy loves her.
And that Dad will stand by her side,
and her Mother's side,
and we will all stand side by side,
as a Family should.

These are just a few lessons,
I will teach, alongside her mother.

For biracial babies
born 50 plus years
past the
turn of hands,
and cheeks, and first, and
post racial, but--

Remembering to love themselves,
and honer themselves,
for they are the future,
and what a Mighty One it
Will Be!