Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy aired April 12th/15
I married a Chinese guy much to my mothers horror, and although we are not together any more we have 3 incredible children to be thankful for. Yes they are mixed, does that mean any thing? Not to me, I see them in all their divine beauty and in unison of races only builds a broader future.
Today I will share my perspective on mixed race children and the whole race divide. Please read the story my mother wrote when my oldest was born.
My mother who was British and raised in Indian with a father who was a Colonel in the British army, was bought up to believe that no race should have mixed children. This is her letter to my first born child of mixed race, Tabytha.
My Mother Wrote.
When I was young my father said “In all the books I have read it was considered very best that the East should never mate with the West.” Now I am older and alone the oracle is one of my own, I feared to say the very least taking the hand one from the East.
When my golden girl with East did mate I mourned within for this unknown fate of my father’s words, that he knew best.
As I waited the result of East and West betwixt with pain and joy, I tried to prepare to take into my heart the child that was near.
That day dawned and away went fear, my heart overflowed the child was here.
From my head the old words returned, but I had a lesson learned.
That East and Wests love conquers fear, as in my arms they put you there.
Two pairs of eyes, Blue and Black filled pride they could not hold back. I looked at the link that came from this pair and my heart opened wide with such love for her.
We joined in rejoicing over one so dear, this black haired doe eyes rosy Tabytha.
To Tabytha from Grandmother Joanne North with Love.
If not around when you are grown you will never be alone, for I will watch over you and guide you path of truth.
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Tabytha is now 33 and her Grandmama past, Tabytha is loved deeply as was the 2 more children Tyler and Natasha that came from this marriage.
Tabytha shares her view on growing up of mixed race.
Growing up as mixed in the 80’s I was marked as “yellow”. I was too young to understand other cultures, or that I am half Chinese, half British. I did dream of having blue eyes like my Mother though…. As I grew older mixed culture was part of every day life, our friends were Italian, Western, Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, African…..we saw more people in Canada, especially in B.C. be of mixed race, not even just immigrants but black and white couples, Latino and European kids etc. We knew no difference we were all just kids.
I’m very glad I was raised by different multiculturalism. I even joke today that if I ever get married, I hope to have mixed children myself, one day -well, maybe-if I marry, so that they get the best of 2 or 3 worlds: My brother and sister and I were born in BC Canada with ‘North American’ ways, with a Chinese father and British mother. Tea time with Earl grey after school with scones, then Chow mien for supper (different in Europe, actually tea time is supper but anyway), let’s just call it dinner then, followed by oolong Chinese tea.
The world is a vast place, but it can also be a small world. Everyone should be able to live harmoniously and enjoy what each culture can bring. Racism is weak, for people who are afraid. Imagine never having pizza or tacos or sushi or listening to old blues or having different art and music and language influences? Pretty boring huh. Thanks Mom and Dad for making us not a majority of white kids in a Canadian city.
Glad it has changed today and has become more acceptable to be different. SEE ME FOR WHO I AM.
Tyler says that he never saw the difference, he was Tyler, he has many friends of mixed race to this day and he does not see skin colour but who they are from the inside out.
Natasha says
“Not being able to identify with one particular culture. Made it difficult to place my self somewhere. And was perhaps the provider for my inability to find attachments to things throughout my life. But I’m not sure that’s a bad thing; I don’t feel apart of any one category. And though that can be confusing, it’s also allowed me freedom to be whatever I feel I need to be in that moment.”
Since releasing “Lori Leak Travels to Paris” I have been sharing it across the Internet and using to engage in conversations on-line and in local groups, about empowering girls. Lori Leak was published just before the 1000 Black Girl Books movement, which sparked attention to the lack of children’s literature featuring female heroines and role models for Black girls. This is an important conversation, globally. Currently, I am busy introducing the Lori Leak to libraries and classrooms in Denmark where I am residing right now. “Lori Leak Travels to Paris” is being used to teach English to 4th through 6th grade Danish children.
I founded Holistic World with the vision of opening Holistic World centers globally. The mission of the centers being that to provide a modern day sanctuary on the high street for the mind body and soul. Stemming from my wish to provide inspiration and good well-being for my children and children all over the world I had the idea to write a series of children ’s yoga books which children could read and enjoy individually or as an adult. The aim of the Magnificent Me, Magnificent You series is to highlight to children the many wonderful qualities they have within and also the amazing beauty and power of the natural world.
Nora Rose is a teacher, author, speaker and coach. Her current book titled “Gabriel’s Journey” is about an 18 year old boy who leaves his family in Naples, Italy to travel by boat to the United States in 1920. This story is based off the actual life of her grandfather Gabriel Iovino. After his brother died in WW1 he had a desire to go to America to begin a new life.
Partnering with an illustrator who listened to her vision then created it was truly a magical experience. It was just as much fun to create the illustrations as it was to write the story. She absolutely loves the illustrations!
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