Things I Wish I Wrote: Why I am a Christian Democrat

 I can not understand claiming to be Christian and still voting for the current Republican agenda.  But she says it far better than I could.

Our government is far from perfect, but it is still, in my mind, the greatest example of the good that be done via a democratic government of, by, and for the people. As Christians, we have an obligation to care for all of God’s people—even when it doesn’t seem quite fair; even when poverty results from a toxic and convoluted mix of a sinful communal history, bad or nonexistent policies, and poor personal decisions; even when our initial efforts to fix a problem as big as our nation’s healthcare inequalities might be clumsy and in need of fine-tuning.

To put it simply, I am a Democrat because the Democratic Party is doing more than the Republican Party to care for the “least of these,” however imperfectly. And Jesus made it absolutely clear that caring for the least of these is central to our identity as his followers.

Read the whole thing here at 

Why I am a Christian Democrat.

Chinese Eyes- but Not How I Expected

I have thought about how to respond (and to help her respond) to the probably inevitable teasing that D will experience about the shape of her eyes.  I had always assumed that it would be trying to address a teasing incident and that it would be something that bothered her.  Didn't expect this....

So the other day I picked D up earlier than usual at Latchkey since she has gymnastics practice now.  While she went to get her backpack I went to fill up her water bottle so she could run straight to practice once we got to the gym.  When I came back she was talking and laughing with some (slightly) older girls and as we were leaving I thought I saw them do the "Chinese eyes" thing- when people pull the corner of their eyes out to make them look more almond shaped (often accompanied by the taunting rhyme "Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees look at these")   I started to say something but realized K was already out the door to the car and I decided in that moment that my 4 year old walking out to the parking lot alone was slightly more critical than a lesson in diversity.

But we get into the car and I asked D what was going on.  Who were the girls? Are they your friends? What were they doing with their eyes?  I wanted her take on it before I said anything too much.  She said they were her friends and they were playing. 
 So I said

"you know as we were leaving it looked like they were pulling the corners of their eye to try to make them the same some people who are Chinese like you.  Lots of people who are Chinese have almond shaped eyes.  What was happening?"

"We were talking about eyes"
"Were they being mean?"
"No" 
(I should add that the written word doesn't really explain the exasperated 'really, mom?' tone she answered in)

"Okay, because sometimes when people do that they are trying to be mean to someone and make them feel like their eyes are different or bad"

"No"

"So nobody was teasing?"

"We were playing"

"I am glad to hear that.  But sometimes when kids want to tease other kids, they make fun of how they look.   If you want, I can help you come up with some ideas about what to say if people do try to tease you"

So I guess this constitutes the first of many conversations like this we will be having as she goes through school.  And while I realize that  I should probably be relieved that we had the chance to start to talk about it in a situation where there really didn't seem to be any ill intent beyond noticing eyes are different shaped and she truly wasn't upset at all.   That I will be able to revisit it with her and empower her in a way that will be proactive rather than reactive.  But mostly it makes me sad (but in no way surprises me) that even now in 2012 she will have to deal with ignorant people who think it is cute and funny to make "Chinese eyes"

In the Next 5 Minutes...

http://www.holtinternational.org/cgi/sponsorship/index.cgi

It's Funny Cause It's True

Weekend Wisdom

"In President Obama, Americans have the real deal, the whole package and a leader that citizens of almost every country around the world look to with great envy. Given the opportunity, Canadians would trade our leader, hell, most of our leaders for Obama in a heartbeat."

-William Thomas

Read the whole thing here- it's an very interesting perspective

Wordless Wednesday

Cross Cultural "Misunderstanding"

For those of you who don't know, I work in (and K attends) what is known as an "urban" school.  It is high risk, high poverty, and almost 100% minority.  My children (except K) attend our local suburban school.  It is about 30% minority, middle class-ish and not high risk.  To be clear- one is not better or worse than the other but there is a bit of a difference between them. 

The other day I pick the kids up at Latchkey and the director stops me to tell me that X  had an "incident" with another child and that, while it was all worked out, he was a little upset by it.

I called X over to hear his story and while he was walking over the director assured me he hadn't done anything wrong.  So I ask
"So what happened today?"

X-"Billy* cut me"

(*name changed to protect the innocent)

Me-"What do you mean he cut you?  Where?  With what?"

The Director-"No, he cut in front of him in line"

Me- "Oh, at my school that means something totally different."