Twilli’s First Encounter with Other Koreans
April 28th, 2008 . by 21st Century Dad
It’s been a while since I wrote about biracial issues. It’s going to be a quiet ride until Twilli starts interacting with school age children. Most of what I’ve written has been about my own awakening and mostly 2nd hand accounts.
Maybe I’m blissfully ignorant of these issues. I prefer to think that the people we have encountered just might be open-minded enough to accept our child as she is without casting her in a freakshow role.
Last weekend, I spied a rummage sale at a nearby church. It happened to be the Korean Assembly of God church. I’m still very whitewashed and my religious beliefs are not in alignment with AOG, so I don’t give it much thought.
I didn’t like what I read about how hapas are treated in the Korean community. Now I have first-hand experience to report, and it is favorable.
As we approached the rummage sale, my guard was up. Religious outreach efforts by Koreans have been made toward me in the past by various groups, but the language barrier stopped them in their tracks.
I’d say it was an average reception. Not everyone is going to dote on a baby, no matter how cute she is. A few women lit up. One woman even remarked, “Asian genes are so strong!” Another lady was being assertive, trying to sell us a toy that was clearly outside of her age range. It was around noon, and you know what noontime means for rummage sales. Frugal tip here. Sometimes, you can score deals at the end of a garage sale. This is stuff people don’t want anymore.
Overall, I sensed no disdain for this mixed-race child. Maybe people have come around.
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The world has gotten very small now. I am Chinese and grew up in So. Cal with a lot of racial prejudice. My niece and nephew are biracial, and my brother has never encountered any problems.
news and articles about discrimination make me sad. especially if it concerns the children. the world can sometimes be cruel.
btw, i find your site very interesting.
My hubby is a hapa (korean/greek) and had a difficult time growing up. Things seemed to change since then. We are somewhat active in the Korean community and my children get doted on as all get out. And they are only a quarter Korean! I think the things are becoming more open. I won’t lie and say it all is happy go lucky, though. When my boys were babies and looked more Korean than now, we got a few rude comments. I have taught them to be proud and tough, though.