Comments on: I Like Myself!

By: KWiz

KWiz — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:01:57 +0000

Hi Danielle,
You’re right – we need to look at what binds us together. Unfortunately, it seems that people are afraid to do that – some want to maintain the status quo because they’re afraid they’re going to lose something. Nevertheless, it’s great that the conversation is going on and that more people seem to be receptive to it.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 19:43:22 +0000

I have seen that documentary and it broke my heart. My children and my niece hail from two cultures. Mine White American and Indian and my niece White American and African American. We consciously incorporate all aspects of both cultures in our lives. We are all of the same race, HUMAN but culturally there are differences. We must get past the surface differences and dig deeper into what is elementary to us all.

By: KWiz

KWiz — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:06:22 +0000

Hi Jackal,
I hope she will always feel that way too. We are certainly trying to instill in her a good sense of self-worth. In fact, yesterday, she said, “look at my pretty brown skin!” We really do almost drill these ideas into her everyday, in a healthy way (I think).

By: Jackal

Jackal — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 09:38:06 +0000

What a profound thing for your little girl to say. I hope she will always feel that way.

By: KWiz

KWiz — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:23:28 +0000

Thanks James, for visiting, and thank you for your comment. I must say, when I was growing up, my parents did not instill a sense of worth in me. Not because they didn’t love me or didn’t care; they just didn’t know how. So I really didn’t like myself all that well. And that self-hate thing – people who hate themselves throw that hate on others, and I experienced that too. So I was often called an “oreo” when I was in grade school, which really hurt.

My husband and I are unwilling for our daughter to go through it. She is absolutely beautiful in every way, and she will know it. And hopefully, her relationships with others and the decisions she makes will be informed by a good sense of self-worth.

By: James Waltonj

James Waltonj — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:03:42 +0000

Kwiz, I heard about this study and it must indicate the the tremendous challenge we face in lifting the self esteme of our people. This whole notion of skin color has reared it’s ugly head again. What happened to black is beautiful? Your child is lucky to have you and your husband, to build her self worth. Many black people have deep rooted self hate and are unable to teach their children how to love themself.Keep hope alive

By: KWiz

KWiz — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:52:07 +0000

Thanks Floyd for stopping by! I’m glad you liked the blog and found it informative…I hope you’ll come by again!

By: floyd

floyd — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:52:41 +0000

Came over here from bloglog, very nice and informative blog, glad I came by for the visit.

By: Peg

Peg — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:00:34 +0000

KWiz…thank you for bringing my attention to that film. It so breaks my heart that such young children simply associate good=white and bad=black. As a mother, to watch the young women speaking, and to hear what they say about ‘ideal’ beauty not being associated with their own heritage and their own race is a real heartbreaker. As mothers, we all want our children to like themselves–an uphill battle in some respects, particularly when society’s idealized elements of beauty just don’t seem to be changing…and so very frustrating.

Thank you also for mentioning my blog in your “Five Favorites for Friday”

By: KWiz

KWiz — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:14:09 +0000

Thank you Stephanie for visiting me…and you’re right, change is slow. But I have to believe that we are moving forward.

Much success with the potty training for you…I’ve heard it’s harder for boys, but the best advice I’ve received, I think, is to not be so hard on yourself or your child. It’s easy right now to follow that advice. I just hope I don’t have to follow it for too long!