Being a Mom

Challenges of Raising a Biracial Child

Where did you get her? I am sorry but there is nothing natural about that question it just feels so wrong to me and I used to get really pissed off when someone asked me that question.
Abeerah my angel 037
It never occurred to me that having a mixed race child can be difficult and I have discovered how people can be so closed minded. My daughter Abeerah her daddy is Indian and I am black and the comments I get on the streets they are disgusting because she looks more Indian than black. My mother was also uncomfortable with my daughter’s hair, she would say people will say we stole her and so she would cut her hair, hoping it will grow back looking like mine Afro and she bought her beanies and hats for when we go out.

After having my daughter made me realise that people still have a problem with interracial marriage and couples. Questions and comments would go from why did you leave us black men and go have an Indian baby and you are lying she is not your child. Even to this day I am still mistaken for the nanny.

Now that my daughter has grown up and she plays with other children they say things to her and she later asks me. The recent question, what is a coloured? I was really shocked well, I am shocked every time she asks me something I am not expecting then I asked her why is she asking me that and she told me that one boy visiting her friend’s house said she is a coloured . I honestly did not know what to say and I still don’t know. How do I answer such a question when I don’t even consider my child coloured and I am clearly uncomfortable classifying her.

A few months back when I was filling in a school application form it reached the race column and I left it blank. I spent about 5 minutes thinking about which box I must tick. It is difficult raising a child in a black dominated community. While I was pregnant the only thing I thought about was how her hair will look like not how will people react to me having a biracial child.
It is my responsibility as a parent to teach my daughter to embrace her uniqueness because she is beautiful no matter what with curly or straight hair.

Photo by Carol of Enhle creative
Photo by Carol of Enhle creative

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8 Comments

  • Melanie

    Your daughter is beautiful.

    I have two mixed race daughters (white/coloured). We’re fortunate not to have had any hurtful comments, though my eldest has been asking questions about why our skins are all different colours.

  • Stacey Crowder

    HI there! Your daughter is very beautiful! I myself don’t understand closed minded people either. I think we are to love regardless of anything. Maybe someday the world will stop being that way. #ShowcaseTuesday
    Stacey

  • Random Musings

    Why do people have to be some dam judgemental all the time, it frustrates me no end! I can understand kids asking questions – they do tend to question anyone different to them but that’s a natural curiosity rather than being judged (although I think the question you used in your post has been overheard from a judgemental parent). You would expect adults to be a but more respectful! #showcasetuesday
    Debbie
    http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com

  • Stacey

    Your daughter is beautiful! As a step-mom to adopted children our family is a mixed bag. We have been fortunate in not having any rude questions or comments, but I do notice people trying to figure us all out. It caused us laughter once when we overheard a couple stating how they thought we all fit. I know it is a bit more challenging for my stepson as he is the only family member with darker skin. He has said that he doesn’t always like standing out. But this is our family and it is full of love 🙂 #showcasetuesday

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