from the mouths of babes

I've always tried to raise my kids with open minds and hearts. I have always made a conscious choice to raise our kids to see the worlds differences and celebrate them. We read books, watch movies and attend community activities that expand my children's horizon beyond white bread, conservative, Middle of Kansas, USA. I think we've done a pretty good job. My kids are aware of all sorts of lifestyles, religions, skin tones and family structures that are different from the one they know at home. It's been easy to do that while they are young. I am happy to say I've maintained a safe, diverse, loving, bubble for my children. I hope that their beginning helps to keep them loving and open-minded throughout their whole lives.

Today Drew and I went to get his glasses adjusted. In the front window they had a Presidents' Day display. They had what seemed like all the presidents' pictures displayed. I'm happy to say that President Obama is the only president that Drew is really aware of....well, maybe Washington and Lincoln, too. Anyway, we walked up to the display and Drew started studying it. He asked, "Where's President Obama?" I didn't know and so I started to help him spot him in the crowd of former presidents. Drew was quiet for just a second and then said, "Oh, this must just be the white presidents."

I'll let you soak that in for a moment.

His statement has been bouncing around in my brain ever since. So many thoughts about what that really says keep rushing to me.

First of all, it makes me thankful that President Obama is the first president that my kids are aware of in their lifetime. It is so cool to me that they live in a world where it is no longer thought impossible for a black man to be president. Right now, they do see that he is different from them, but they do not see this as a bad thing. They are growing up in a different world than even I grew up in.

 So, even if you can't agree with Obama on one policy or social cause, you should still thank him for what he did for your country, for your kids. Just think, no matter how many storybooks your read to your kids about characters with a different shade of skin, no matter how many movies have a multi-racial cast, President Obama is the first really true example of a person of color in a true power position. He makes it so any kid, anywhere, can see the light. Kids everywhere can see that no matter what, if they work hard, go to school, and stay on track, they too can do great things. That is pretty freaking awesome.

So, back to that moment with Drew. I didn't know exactly how to respond. I just said, "Hm, must be." Because how can you explain to your five-year-old that he lives in a world where being a white man still makes everything easier for you? How can you explain that the history of the USA is sometimes bleak and hard to understand? I think I'd rather not. I think I'd like to keep him in the bubble for a little while longer.