Taking A Stand

    It all started when I posted one simple picture of my family. Actually it started before that. When I woke up yesterday morning I did my usual check up on my business and personal pages before beginning my day with my family. One of my friends posted a link about the controversy surrounding a recent Cheerio commercial that depicted a bi racial family. Actually she didn't say what the controversay was when she posted so I made sure to watch the video closely. I watched it 3 times to be exact. I couldn't figure out the problem so I went back and read the article. The issue was with the family itself. A family that had a black father, a white mother, and an adorable little life formed out of that love. Very much like my own family. Apparently youtube had to take the comment section of the video link down because it was bombarded with endless racists comments in a matter of minutes.
  It's 2013...racism doesn't exist right? We have a black president. We see tons of multi racial couples in everyday life, even glamorized on tv so people don't really think this way anymore right? WRONG. Very very wrong. I wish it were a thing of the past. I wish we were more far removed from it and we are definitely getting there but we have a long way to go. There are really so many things to say in this post that I dont know where to start. I'm not worried about the grammatical formalities or paragraph structures because at the end of the day this blog is for my beloved children and I know they will understand the points I'm trying to stress and where my heart is.
  My initial reaction after reading the article was to move right along with my day. You have to understand that I'm a very strong woman in who I am. I in no means say that in a boastful fashion but I'm extremely secure in almost every facet of the person I know myself to be..from outside in and back again. Very little that people do phase me in regards to my personal life because I'm very grounded. This confidence stems from the fact that I understand people. I "get it' even at an early age. I have zero hate because I know that when the "ugly" comes out in people they are usually unhappy and are hurting and lacking in something they need. I dont like people, I love them. I hate their cookie cutter ways, over zealous strive towards normality  and the need to feel validated by others that are no better than them but I love them bc I understand its part of a greater picture of needing acceptance. A quick eye roll and sincere pity for the level of ignorance would normally suffice for the ridiculous comments referenced but then I thought of something. I typically take a stand on MOST social issues when they involve the rights of others. I was very out spoken in defending the struggle that gay Americans endure....bulling in school systems etc. I realized something else..*I* may be secure in my choices and not intimidated by what some may think but I realize that OTHERS  maybe hurting and afraid to take a stand or at a different place in their lives. I owe it to them sense we share the same struggle.
  So it was at that point that I decided to take a stand on an issue that is extremely personal. I posted an image of my family on my business page yesterday morning. Ironically the same photo was posted during the holidays. Ten minutes after I had posted a shot of my family last December I lost 25 fans. I made a brief statement about it at the time because I was shocked. I received many personal messages from other top names in the party industry thinking it was just a FB glitch and its not reflecting the numbers correctly. These amazing successful women were not defending the actions..they were just too bright and far removed from hatred to fathom it. I can understand. I moved on...like always.
   Fast forward to yesterday morning and I made the choice to repost it with the following caption
 "I never voice strong opinions about current events, politics, social issues etc on my business page bc its just not appropriate and people come here to see fun parties. This is one issue I can't let pass by without speaking on. The Cheerio commercial and all the uproar its causing because of interracial family being depicted is so unfortunate. I couldn't believe it at first because I'm so far removed from that mind set but then I remembered back to a time just this past Christmas when I posted a picture of my family like others were doing on their page wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from my family to yours. I lost 25 fans in less then 10 mins. I had many reach out to me and say it was prob FB. I knew better. It hasn't happened before or sense that. I'm posting that same picture again. To say that I love my family and they are my inspiration and the reason for what I do! If you dont like the picture, us, or the "idea" of us than you probably shouldn't be here."
  I wrote it, signed off and thought nothing else of it. I knew Id probably get a couple of likes, hopefully a few kind words, and maybe even a few unlikes like before. I certainly NEVER expected it to go what I would consider viral for my page. I was blown away. Over 1,000 new fans and still counting. Same with comments nearly a 1,000 of those and over 5,000 likes on the status. Out of those 1,000 comments there were a total of 3 that were negative. This is certainly proof that we are progressing as a society. I also received so many people who have thanked me for taking a stand. That meant the most to me. I hope that my post enabled others to live life beautifully, boldly and with zero apologies for who they are and who they love. I also recived countless inbox messages from others who are currently struggling. From an Asian lady who was forced to leave her job bc of racist language that a ceo refused to address to a mother of a gay son who recently passed. She shared with me one of his favorites quotes ..."judge only with the heart" Just beautiful words. I even received a message from the producer of the studio where the commercial was shot. That was beyond awesome!! I understand what people are going thru is very real. I'm not sure I've ever mentioned this on my blog but my own father has never seen my children. Not once. All because of their skin color. If you are a person with any degree of intellect I'm aware at how ludicrous that sounds. Its also sad. He will forever miss out on a unique family by his own choice. There are many more with stories just like mine and I'm still sorting thru all of them. 
   The last thing I want to touch on for my children is this....There are people who are just outwardly racist. They make themselves known and their is zero guessing. Then you have people who think they mean well that say the following types of statements that honestly irk me more bc they perpetuate the problem MORE to the middle of society. Children do NOT suffer bc they are more than one race. Its not "harder on the kids." Its an enriching experience for them. My children will be exposed to many different cultures. They will be taught self esteem, self worth and compassion for others. They will be like their mother and father. They will find their own path in life. They will not be people pleasers who live their life for others. They will take less traveled roads and perhaps not the easiest. They will obtain immeasurable growth because of this. They will be leaders not followers.  They will find happiness in life without hurting others to get to it because thats who they are being raised to be and more. So please, no worries for my little guys.
  Lastly, there is truly only on race and it is the human race. Over used phrase but true. Don't limit a rewarding human experience by only allowing people that fit into a specific mold that a current society has deemed acceptable. You are only cutting yourself short. Have a progressive mind, courage, and an even bigger heart and you will go far in life. Never give up, never conform, and ALWAYS be yourself. <3 nbsp="" span="">