Over the holidays, I wasn’t well. Thankfully, the flu was kind enough to wait until after Christmas to hit, but there were a couple of days when I was down for the count. As unpleasant as it was, it did give me some much needed rest, and allowed me some time to read.
I have been eyeing the book The Help, wondering when I would ever get a chance to read it. As chance would have it, my mom loaned me her copy the day before I got sick.
I devoured that book like it was my last meal. I couldn’t put it down, and I managed to finish it in 3 days despite frequent naps and "bathroom breaks."
On the third day, I was lying on the couch, and Rebecca came and sat beside me. “What is your book about, Mommy?” she asked.
I closed the book and wondered how to explain to my 6-year old, half-black daughter that there was a time when white people treated black people like second-class citizens. There are no words that will ever make it okay, there are no excuses for the hardships black slaves endured. There is no way to right this wrong, and yet, I wish there were.
I couldn’t find the words to explain the book to her, so I just told her it was called The Help and it was about maids that worked in people’s houses.
I know that we will have to discuss this topic one day, and I know that I should talk to her well before it comes up in classes at school, but I think it’s something I need to plan and research before I approach it.
I want to be able to tell her the ugly truth about history without instilling a hatred or fear of white people. Imagine fearing that your daughter might hate you for something someone else did many years ago. Seems foolish, I know, but it doesn’t change the facts.
I’m happy that I will be able to tell her about the Underground Railroad, but sad to have to tell her how ignorant people can be. Sad to tell her that someone could dislike her simply because her skin is brown. The very same skin that I tell her every day is gorgeous. We have talked about skin colour before since we live in a town where the majority of people are white. She has asked why her skin is different, but I don’t think she has ever wondered if someone would like/dislike her for that reason.
Thankfully, Rebecca has a wonderful support system on both sides of her family, so I think (when I do broach the subject) she will know that times have changed.
For Kelli Daisy's review of the the movie The Help click here
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