Raising Mixed Children in Korea: A Forum Series

M.A.C.K. presents the second in its ongoing multicultural forum series, which will explore issues surrounding raising children of mixed descent in Korea.

Date: Saturday, July 16, 2011
Time:

Each of the speakers will discuss their personal experience raising children in a bicultural and multiracial household in Korea. Presentations will be followed by an open question and answer session.

Contact information email: themackfoundation.kr@gmail.com

For more info visit - http://www.themackfoundation.com

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Moms of Blasians Spotlighted on Today Moms

I'm getting the word out folks! I recently spoke with the very nice ladies at Today Moms about highlighting the community of Moms of Biracial children and more specific Mothers of Blasian children. They asked me to write a little something and *BAM*, now you can check out my post on their website site title : Overcoming the Challenges of Raising Biracial Kids

I highlight how it feels to be be asked..."is that your baby" and my hope that as awareness for mixed-race families spreads, the challenges facing mothers of biracial children will become less a struggle and more a celebration of the differences that make us all special and unique. Enjoy!

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Supporting the Native Americans for Thanksgiving

I've never really been a fan of Thanksgiving along with the major other holidays. It's weird to me that people celebrate something based on misconstrued history. We all know what happened to the Native American Indians after they saved the lives of the pilgrims.

I guess some people just over look that little fact and claim this holiday as a time to be thankful for things in their lives. Well I was never one to over look little facts.

As usual I side with the Native Americans this Thanksgiving as I've done in the past. I refuse to celebrate this "holiday" and what society "suggests" I should be doing around this time.

This year I'm very concerned about trying to raise a socially aware child. I want Daniel to know and honor all people and their cultures. So I started researching online what I can do with him since this month is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

While I can't claim any connection to the American Indians of the USA, I suspect I have some claim to the Native Indians in Guyana in my family history. I suspect more on my father's side of the family but it could be from either of my parents. Anyway, I'm not the only one. Did you know that many African Americans can claim having Native American ancestry? There's currently an exhibit that highlights this invisible story

The exhibition IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas is a collaboration between the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service (SITES).

African and Native peoples came together in the Americas. Over centuries, African Americans and Native Americans created shared histories, communities, families, and ways of life. Prejudice, laws, and twists of history have often divided them from others, yet African-Native American people were united in the struggle against slavery and dispossession, and then for self-determination and freedom.

For African-Native Americans, their double heritage is truly indivisible.

You can check the exhibit tour schedule to find out when it will be in your area. Since I can't travel to the DC exhibit I'm going to visit the The National Museum of the American Indian here in NYC with my son this month and see what cool activities they have.

 Join me if you like =)

Supporting Loving Day at Benefit Concert 2009

A few weeks ago I took myself out on a date. I planned on having some wine, hearing great music then mixing and mingling with other adults who also came out in support of Loving Day, a global network that fights racial prejudice through education and builds multicultural community. That night I attended Loving Day's Benefit Concert 2009.

That night Broadway in South Africa, featuring cast members from Wicked, The Lion King, Rent, and more would perform along with, Koba a radical hip-hop vocalist/producer from Harlem, New York and Pedro da Silva and Lucia Caruso of Manhattan Camerata at the super cool and trendy Drom Lounge and Restaurant

Now that alone is a good reason to go hangout with the Loving Day crew but after all the drama in the news about the interracial couple denied a marriage license ...well I wanted to be with my community. At times like that when a basic social right...to get married...can be denied because of a person racial background the world can be a scary place. If the right to get married can be denied then what next? The right for a mother to bear a biracial child? It's not that far a jump.

Many people think that racial awareness and tolerance have come a long way. In some ways this is true but this recent event shows that there's still alot to be done. I read why this couples license was denied and it further scared me

Bardwell said he's not a racist, he came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."

As a black mother of a biracial child these kinds of comments worry me. We're living in a time where a biracial /half black child has become president but yet some people still think half black children will suffer in life. It tiring to fight against beliefs like that alone.

Organizations like Loving Day, Swirl , Mavin and other are key as faces of the multiracial community on a large scale. I worry that without them the fight to live in this world would be so much hardier. I'm grateful to know them and to know that they stand with me to keep spreading awareness for all the different multiracial communities.

Building the Blasian Baby Community

There's lots of "behind the scenes" activity happening at Blasian Baby Notes. Besides the couples and families interviews, I'm working on other projects that will hopefully bring a wider awareness about the asian black community.

For example, maybe you caught sight of the new faces in the sidebar? Yup, I've harassed until they gave in...umm... I mean encouraged other moms of blasian children to join me in blogging here. I'm also trying to get a dad of a blasian child to join us in blogging here...so far it's still a work in progress. LOL

But for my current... please welcome the other moms to the blogging community. I won't get into their background and life stories cause if I did....then what would they have to blog about! I will say that both women are supportive of my idea to promote a positive image of the asian and black community.

Yes I'm still part of the Sweet Rice Chronicles and strongly support more black mothers of half asian children having an online voice. But I also want to give a voice to the other mothers and fathers (hopefully) with Asian and Black children.

As moms and dads of children with asian and black heritage, we want to spread awareness of our children and their unique community. We have the same fears and joys as other parents of mono-racial children. Hopefully by providing more voices on the Blasian Baby blog we can start to

1. Break down stereotypes

2. Spread awareness of the Asian Black Community and Families

3. Collectively find and share resources that benefit our community.

I hope my ideas will catch on and get the support it needs! I'm excited to share my different plans to have different cultures come together with one goal...building up the blasian baby community!

Autism in the Black Mommy Community

Ever got a msg to test your child for autism? One mommy friend of mine, who has an autistic child sent me a msg recently encouraging me to test Daniel for autism. Some might feel he’s a bit young for testing. Yet early detection plays a key role in helping a child get the needed services and support.

Many famous black moms like Holly Robinson Peete and Toni Braxton have spoken out on what its like being a mom of an autistic child. Holly Robinson Peete gave a interview about the need for World Autism Day while Toni Braxton made a video to urge more parents to be familiar with the “red flags” for autism

We as African American/ African Caribbean moms are not faceless when dealing with this issue. Even on a non-celebrity level info and support can be found. Lorraine, the mom who sent me that timely reminder, has a website and has produced her own video.

When it comes to autism within the black community… early diagnosis is key. I don’t like to say this but black children’s health…especially black little boys are not always priority within the health community.

Since autism seems to affect boys at a large rate then girls moms with boys should educate themselves about warning signs. But a lot of black moms are either not told about these signs or are brushed aside when voicing concerns about our children’s development. As black mothers I encourage you to push to get the same medical information and intervention as non-minority mothers. Also, as black moms of biracial kids our input is also needed so future research will benefit kids of mixed heritage.

So where to start? Inform yourself!

For example did you know there is a wide spectrum of being autistic. Most people are familiar with a child being unresponsive but a child could also be what is referred to as high function. To best detect if your child may be autistic and under what range please...observe your child for key warning signs and if necessary get your child tested.

Even after being diagnosed there’s a lot to learn, resources out there and people dedicated to providing services. Check out Autism Classroom a site that believes

parents are the child's first teachers, this site is for you too! On this site you will be able to find out helpful information about autism, view our online training, take "classes" with our web training class, request consultative support, download tons of free materials, post a question, message or response at our Chatboard message board, and listen to our audio podcasts

There is also tons of info at Austism Society of America and Autism Speaks.

I am very grateful to the moms of autistic children for sharing info and awareness and the joy of their children despite dealing with the challenges of autism. While I knew a little bit about autism after spending time with these moms and their families I’ve learned much more.

Helping to Change Views on Asian Black Unions

A few days ago I talked a little about my ex and shared a blog post that explains why we're not together anymore.  I also shared it with my facebook community.  They left some interesting comments.

I responded by saying

Thank you ladies, it's true i don't "have" to explain but I chose to. People are misguided on info about asian black couples and families. They think all asian black unions are filled with drama and negativity because of race. But not everything is about racial conflict. Sometime it's just normal man and women stuff. By being open about my life and the situation with Daniel's dad my aim is to show things in a different positive light.

But I want to expand this thought a little bit more here. Since this is a public blog many different people have access to the info. I'd like to help them develop alternative views of Asian and Black couples and families besides what's showed in the media and online.


There will always be men and women conflicts no matter what race they're in.  Since I am a black women who date interracially all types of men... including asian...i can speak on this subject first hand.  I notice that the media like to portray black women as down and out single mothers who were used, abused and abandoned by their men.  The tone is that we're not desirable as long term mates and will end up alone.  Add to the recipe any interracial male... more so an asian male...and the outcome is beyond bleak. Asian males dating a black females is like seeing a flying pig.  Something considered freakishly rare.  

The only main stream article that address this type of union mentions it as a last ditch effort on the side of asian men who have lost their asian women to white asian dating and who can't get white women to date them...for whatever reason.  So to save themselves from leading a life of loneliness they have no choice except to date and possible marry  *gasp* a black women.

Now, I have a sick sense of humor and enjoy reading these types of articles like I enjoy reading the Star magazine.  Good fiction is hard to find after all.

See, in the world I live and date in it's quite a different story. Sure there are some black women who have relationship problems...but all races have women like this.  Sure there are some asian men who will never date or marry a black women due to community and cultural pressures...but again what race doesn't have men like this?

What's not highlighted or featured in these article and research on interracial dating are the many couples and families that do bridge the racial gaps and are happy.  I've made it my business to seek out and follow these families so I could learn the truth from the people living it...not from people speculating about it.

As for my own life as a black female who has dated, married and divorced an asian male.  I can honestly say any issues within the relationship have more to do with him not picking up his socks then with the shape of his eyes.  Sometimes men and women are just that...men and women dealing with mars and venus issues. Asian and black couples and families are just that... regular couples and families.  Get to know my community and you'll see =)