i moved brody to a new school last year. from out in the suburbs to downtown kc. from a predominantly white, middle-upper class, tree-hugger school to one with a melting pot of all ethnicities and incomes. i loved his old school but i wanted more for him. i wanted him to learn less about his ABCs and more about culture and character. something i could only teach him by immersing him in.
at only 2 years old, the three strongest women in his life are african-american. some of his best buddies are from low-income families and only attend bc the school & parents raise money for them to go for free. his class ranges from african-american to asian to hispanic to white. some are from high-income families and some are foster children. you would never know.
in this school they are all the same. and these children will grow up not needing to be taught this. they will teach us.
the teachers are from inner city, low-income families. they are hired from within the neighborhood. a neighborhood that just a few blocks away is one of the most dangerous in the city. this school gives them chances. chances no one else did. and with that comes pride.
brody fell in love with his main teacher. i fell in love with her. i hid what was going on at home from her just like i did everyone else. she caught on. but she never asked. instead she would grab my hand and squeeze it. she would hug me for no reason. she would leave me notes telling me that i am a great mom. she knew and she was trying to help.
so yesterday we said goodbye to her as brody transitions into preschool. a very sad goodbye with lots of tears. i gave her a card with a note about how much brody needed her this year, how much i needed her this year and how much we love her. she gave me a card with a note about how much she needed me, how much she loves us and how important my friendship is to her.
two women from very different backgrounds. one that had nothing. one that had everything. and kids from very different backgrounds. some with nothing. some with everything.
and with that comes the affirmation that my child is learning exactly what i wanted him to.
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:) wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are teaching him this. Some parents never do. And when the children enter the world they don't even know different cultures exist. I had three, beautiful children, who were blonde and white skinned touch my brown skin and long, black hair over and over again. We were are just playing on the floor. I asked the baby sitter why are they so attracted to my skin and hair. She said they have never been exposed to any color but white!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are growing a very well rounded little dude. You also get to take almost all of the credit for his awesomeness. That's pretty cool :)
ReplyDeletethis post has me in tears...as a single mother...i too found out just what it means when they say...it takes a village to raise a child. you have openned your heart and let go of your child...just enough to let him grow...and let you grow!
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