Race Talk Archives - De Su Mama

Celebrating Black History for Kids with Doc McStuffins

February 11, 2013 By Vanessa 1 Comment

Black History for Kids, All Kids It's Black History Month, and while Daddy D and I do our part to teach age appropriate lessons of black history for kids anytime of year, they're even more prudent during the month of February. Fact finding, enjoying literature, thoughtful discussions are all ways to engage your child in honor of Black History Month. Understanding our past is crucial to building a more tolerant legacy for the future. But even if you aren't teaching black history, an interesting thing is taking place: its happening anyway. Building a Tolerant Legacy Growing up, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Bicultural Life, Biracial, black fatherhood, Race Talk

MLK Quotes to Raise Your Kids By

January 21, 2013 By Vanessa 1 Comment

The fact of the matter is, there is still plenty of intolerance in this world. Insanely ugly people that judge others based on skin color. Well, to them I say, fill your tiny little peanut brains with some decency and humanity. Perhaps even some intelligence. When you judge me, do so according to my character; what I've said and done, or how I've made you feel. Not because I'm Latino, and my husband African American. I'm not perfect, but my skin color has little bearing on that. Until our world is the utopia I wish for my children, I lean heavily on my favorite MLK quotes. Not just today, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Traditions & Legacy Tagged With: Bicultural Life, Biracial, mlk quotes, Race Talk

Mixed Hair Care: Tips for Toddler’s Ringlet Curls

November 29, 2012 By Vanessa 14 Comments

Curly Mixed Hair - a Toddler's Routine After many requests, I am finally updating the mixed hair posts with Alina's curly, mixed hair care routine now that she is a toddler. I wanted to give a few tips on how to get those adorable ringlet curls that adorn her head in most of the photos here on De Su Mama. Hair has a lot to do with personal identity for women. Having curly hair myself, I believe strongly in reinforcing the beauty of curly mixed hair in my positive parenting values. And that starts with healthy and proper hair care routines. Alina's hair has changed tremendously since I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Bicultural Life, Mixed Hair, Race Talk

Raising Color Blind Kids And Why I Wouldn’t Dare

August 4, 2012 By Vanessa 12 Comments

Should we raise color blind kids? In college I took a year-long Multicultural Mediation course that met on Saturdays and required an overnight camping trip in order to earn a passing grade. Going to school every Saturday is a testament to any college student's dedication, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Among the most life altering realizations I gained from that class was that I would never subscribe to the racial ideology of color blindness. The idea of being "color blind" is based on the premise that all people should be judged equally, regardless of color of skin. Not such a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Bicultural Life, Natural Parenting, Race Talk

Gearing Up For Father’s Day

June 7, 2012 By Vanessa 10 Comments

I talk a lot about Daddy D on this blog, and not just because we're married or he's the father of my children. Daddy D is referenced so often because he is relevant. Sure, I stay home with the babies and am the primary caregiver, but Daddy D is an extremely hands on father. He's a great Dad; even better than the expectations I place on him.It was nearly a year ago that I published this Personal Identity Project post on {Black} Fatherhood, including a guest piece by an old colleague who has strong opinions on how the realities of fatherhood as a Black man differs from mainstream opinions. And I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: Race Talk

American Or Americano. Always Proud.

July 1, 2011 By Vanessa Leave a Comment

I'm the first generation born in the States for my family. Both of my parents were born in Cuba, and as young children, came to the United States with their parents in the late 1960's nearly ten years into the dictatorship that still rules the island today. So America's Independence Day as a unique twist for me. In my post for Multicultural Familia this week, I discuss what the 4th of July means to me...Independence Has A Steep PriceAlso here are some ridiculously adorable pictures of Alina celebrating her first 4th of July at a local parade last year. We'll be attending the same parade this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Personal Identity Tagged With: Bicultural Life, Blogging, Family Memoir, Race Talk