[spineeupsenry]

I never thought about being 'black' any particular way when I was a young child. I grew up in a multi racial/ethnic community, and from my perspective, everyone got along. Little did I know about the separation of older kids and adults. I don't remember exactly when I realized that other people thought that being black was a bad thing. It was an awareness that grew over time. I think the most profound and memorable experience was watching white people move out of my neighborhood in droves, in the early 70s, and everyone moving in was black. Being around more black people plus the heightened awareness of our African connection gave me a new perspective.

I'm no militant. I love equally, those who treat me with respect and dignity, but at some point I did learn that people did not like be solely because of my race and ethnicity.

[Henldyhl]

It could be worse, you could be Irish.

[leahjhburton]

it was never negative to me, to other jealous people black is negative.

[nretdjuend]

I shouldn't be unleashing my baggage here, but this is me. I learned very early people did not like me for my ethnic background.

I was adopted when I was a baby, my mother was 17. I had in writing from the agency that my grandparents were "Unwilling to accept a grandchild of interracial background." I read these words when I was 18 and it broke my heart. My color had everything to do with that. Someone else's junk was someones else's treasure. I did meet them when I was 18. I don't think I will ever get over that, 100%. However, I love the parents that raised me. I was not conceived in love but I grew up in it.

[antipenq]

I shouldn't be unleashing my baggage here, but this is me. I learned very early people did not like me for my ethnic background.

I was adopted when I was a baby, my mother was 17. I had in writing from the agency that my grandparents were "Unwilling to accept a grandchild of interracial background." I read these words when I was 18 and it broke my heart. My color had everything to do with that. Someone else's junk was someones else's treasure. I did meet them when I was 18. I don't think I will ever get over that, 100%. However, I love the parents that raised me. I was not conceived in love but I grew up in it.

What is your ethnic background?

[KeestRast]

What is your ethnic background?

Mother - Italian, Irish,German

Father - African American, 1/4 American Indian

[Seeseeskeva]

Mother - Italian, Irish,German

Father - African American, 1/4 American Indian

Your father had any Lumbee by any chance?

[Greapyjeory]

Mother - Italian, Irish,German

Father - African American, 1/4 American Indian

I understand your post now, well your background is nothing to be ashamed of, you can't help being who you are.

[dselectronics]

Your father had any Lumbee by any chance?

No. Tsalagi. I know everyone says this, but it is true his case.

---------- Post added 2012-06-06 at 09:24 ----------

I understand your post now, well your background is nothing to be ashamed of, you can't help being who you are.

Thank you. I didn't know what I was until I met my biological mother and then my father shortly after. All I knew is that my mom was White and my father was of an unknown background. Needless to say, I have no communication with my bio mother but am close with my biological father. I recently had him tested on 23andMe.

[Caliwany]

No. Tsalagi. I know everyone says this, but it is true his case.

---------- Post added 2012-06-06 at 09:24 ----------



Thank you. I didn't know what I was until I met my biological mother and then my father shortly after. All I knew is that my mom was White and my father was of an unknown background. Needless to say, I have no communication with my bio mother but am close with my biological father. I recently had him tested on 23andMe.

Its good to hear that you are at least close to one of your biological parents, perhaps the other will reach out to you.

[Toivaluadiora]

Its good to hear that you are at least close to one of your biological parents, perhaps the other will reach out to you.

That side of the family is a little bat crazy. I'll stick with pops.

[gernica]

That side of the family is a little bat crazy. I'll stick with pops.

I think I know what you mean, some families can be hurtful like that.

[adolfadsermens]

I shouldn't be unleashing my baggage here, but this is me. I learned very early people did not like me for my ethnic background.

I was adopted when I was a baby, my mother was 17. I had in writing from the agency that my grandparents were "Unwilling to accept a grandchild of interracial background." I read these words when I was 18 and it broke my heart. My color had everything to do with that. Someone else's junk was someones else's treasure. I did meet them when I was 18. I don't think I will ever get over that, 100%. However, I love the parents that raised me. I was not conceived in love but I grew up in it.

Wow...I am so sorry you've had to have this experience. Your post breaks my heart. No child is junk....The birth of any child is a thing of wonder and reason for celebration. Every child should be proud of its ancestry. Thank God your adoptive parents were decent human beings. It appalls me that so many Americans with genes from West Africa have internalized racism. I've never been able to understand why there is so much self-loathing among black people. My daughter married a black guy whom I consider to be a son and I have two beautiful, exceptionally bright grandchildren whom I think the world of. I cannot imagine how anyone would be unwilling to accept a grandchild of interracial background. In spite of the circumstances of your birth, you were meant to be in this world and its a better place because of it because you brought joy to the two people who raised you.

[Dastyh]

Wow...I am so sorry you've had to have this experience. Your post breaks my heart. No child is junk....The birth of any child is a thing of wonder and reason for celebration. Every child should be proud of its ancestry. Thank God your adoptive parents were decent human beings. It appalls me that so many Americans with genes from West Africa have internalized racism. I've never been able to understand why there is so much self-loathing among black people. My daughter married a black guy whom I consider to be a son and I have two beautiful, exceptionally bright grandchildren whom I think the world of. I cannot imagine how anyone would be unwilling to accept a grandchild of interracial background. In spite of the circumstances of your birth, you were meant to be in this world and its a better place because of it because you brought joy to the two people who raised you.

Thank you for the kind words Ebersdorf. God bless your heart. I was lucky. I just think about so many foster children that are stuck in the system. Very sad.

[XIMHOTEP-X]

Being Irish in today's America is highly acceptable, much more than being 'black.' In fact, there have been some difficult Irish - black encounters here in NYC. BTW, my gg-grandfather was Irish but he came to Virginia to work on a plantation. He wound up marrying one of the slaves.

[Arximedus]

Being Irish in today's America is highly acceptable, much more than being 'black.' In fact, there have been some difficult Irish - black encounters here in NYC. BTW, my gg-grandfather was Irish but he came to Virginia to work on a plantation. He wound up marrying one of the slaves.

there was a time when irish were very much discriminated against in america, much in the same way blacks were in this country for years. the difference is that irish are not as readily discernable from other "accepted" european groups as africans were. so really in most cases the only way for one to know said person was an irishman was by his last name or by his accent, if he lost those then there wasn't much stopping him from integrating into the rest of society. it is much harder to relinquish your genetic makeup however, which is why blacks had a much harder time finding acceptance among white people. its easier for people to learn to accept someone who looks like you than someone who shares little with you in regards to shared ancestry or race or looks etc.

[Piediahef]

I shouldn't be unleashing my baggage here, but this is me. I learned very early people did not like me for my ethnic background.

I was adopted when I was a baby, my mother was 17. I had in writing from the agency that my grandparents were "Unwilling to accept a grandchild of interracial background." I read these words when I was 18 and it broke my heart. My color had everything to do with that. Someone else's junk was someones else's treasure. I did meet them when I was 18. I don't think I will ever get over that, 100%. However, I love the parents that raised me. I was not conceived in love but I grew up in it.

That's messed up unless your mom was raped or something.

[orison]

Thanks for sharing your story, Jedi.

[loan4younow]

That's messed up unless your mom was raped or something.

She wasn't raped just a one time affair. He was shocked when I showed up at his door.

---------- Post added 2012-06-06 at 11:39 ----------

Thanks for sharing your story, Jedi.

You're welcome

[yPuqQ248]

It could be worse, you could be Irish.

You got a problem with the Irish, Torey boy