One Image
I grew up in a family divided in the way they looked at race relations.
On my father’s side, the “N” word was thrown around loosely, like it was any other word in the dictionary. My paternal grandparents, uncles, and cousins on that side were as racist as they come. There were no white capes or pointy hats, but there was definitely a lot of hate.
On my mother’s side, it was a completely different story. Thankfully.
When I would go over to my other grandmother’s house, these were the pictures that I saw hanging on the wall:
My grandfather is the one standing above MLK. This photo was taken in Memphis, only a few months before he was shot.
Here is my grandfather being maced at a protest march.
My grandfather worked with a labor union to bring about equal rights for sanitation workers. I didn’t know him very well because he died when I was in first grade. I just have a few memories of him, and of course, these pictures.
Out of respect for him, my mother, grandmother and other relatives on that side tried to carry out his legacy by teaching us not to be prejudice.
Growing up in the 80’s, there may not have been segregation in school, but things were still very much separate. It was still a shock if a black family moved into the neighborhood and let’s just say that my family wouldn’t have embraced the idea of interracial dating (but they would have had to deal with it if I had a chance with L.L. Cool J.).
No matter how you voted yesterday, I think we can all agree that our country just took a huge step forward and away from all that nonsense.
I’ve tried really hard to teach my kids that no matter how different we may look on the outside that we are all the same on the inside. I want them to see people, no matter what shade their skin might be, as human beings first. For these reasons, and many others, I am very happy about how the election turned out. I wish my grandfather was here to see it.
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I’m so exited! It was a beautiful night. I should of flown to Chicago to be with my BFF last night
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It is so awesome isn’t it!
How neat that your grandfather did so much and worked so hard. What an excellent story!
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I’m kind of speechless today – proud and hopeful especially for this reason. It’s amazing.
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[...] @ Daily Mish Mash also talks about her grandparents, their beliefs and how that affects how she saw this election [...]
My parents are hippies, so they were very deliberate about making sure I was always around people of other races. Usually they weren’t merely a different color, but of a different country as well.
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You captured it perfectly.
I couldn’t be happier. Or more proud to be an American than right now.
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AMEN!
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Wow amazing story! You are so right, it’s so important to see both sides! Great post!!
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Those pictures of your grandfather are AMAZING. You must be SO PROUD!
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I had uber-hippie parents, too (seriously, I’m lucky I’m not named Moonbeam or Justice) so tolerance and the importance of diversity were big in my house. However, I married into a family that um…how do I say this without ranting? Oh, I know: NOT SO MUCH. I have to really struggle to keep a civil tongue when we visit the in-laws. And now that our kids are getting older, I don’t want to set an example of keeping my mouth shut when encountering bigotry. (The good news is, the husband feels the same, so our current solution is: fewer trips to the in-laws! WOO HOO!)
I read somewhere this morning (Mom-101 maybe?) that “our kids are going to grow up in the Obama years.” THAT is what makes me realize how big a step for equality this is. Hurray for turning corners! I love that my first-grader (hopefully) won’t see anything exceptional at ALL about having an African-American POTUS.
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AMEN.
I read stories like this and it makes me tear up a bit for the fact that your grandfather missed such a momentous moment in our history – a moment that made all the sacrifices of those before our generation – not for naught.
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Amazing how involved your grandfather was in the civil rights movement and that your family has preserved those memories. Great post.
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Great post! Your grandfather would be proud.
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Your grandfather would be proud. To day is an amazing day and the future looks pretty promising indeed.
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Oh, how your Grandfather would have been proud to see this come to pass. You told a fascinating story – thanks for sharing the pictures with all of us!
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I know you must be so proud of your grandfather!
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Wow, that is so cool…your grandfather. What a great man.
I have a happy surprise for ya at my place. Come on ovah.
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Amen. WOOHOO!!!!
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Wow Jen. How proud you must be, to have such rich history on your mom’s side, history that you can tell your kids about, history that does make a difference.
I’m STILL celebrating Tuesday!
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are you shitting us? Wow! My family was/is very liberal- like your mom- however, my husband and his side is all about the ugly! I hate that my kids may witness therir ugliness from time to time. Luckily I am way more persuassive than them and their ignorance and I think my kids even realize how stupid they are.
I am so impressed– what awesome stories to share- goosebumps!!!
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Wow!
Yes we can. Yes we did.
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