Outside My Comfort Zone Again. But We Need To Talk.
Here I am again, outside my comfort zone, but we need to keep the conversation going.
And, if you read my post " I don't usually do this, but..." you'll know that being controversial is definitely outside my comfort zone. I always left that to my mother. But, I recently discovered the DNA Discussion Project started by Drs. Anita Foeman and Bessie Lawton. Their goal is to encourage greater understanding of the science of genetics, the construction of race, and the perception of ethnicity. That brought me back to the first time I wrote about being multi-racial, "Why don't you look more like your mother?", which continues to be my most read and shared blog post. I guess I need to readjust my comfort zone. ? My mother identified herself as being a part of the human race, and to her, that was more important than identifying with a specific group based on ethnicity. Now, some people may find that to be pollyannaish, but my mother strongly felt that as long as there is a need for humans to classify each other by the color of their skin, the ability to decide whether you like that person or not, can never solely be based on who they are as a person. 
As I wrote in Why Don't You Look More Like Your Mother?, I think my mother got a kick out of having a child who, at first glance, didn’t have any resemblance to her, because of our coloring. She would tell me with great pride how I “…was like a walking United Nations. Belonging to everyone and no one at the same time.” Fun Fact: Yes, I have had my DNA tested and I am EXACTLY as my parents described me: Irish/Scottish, European, German, Congo, Cameroon, Native American. The most interesting discovery was that my African DNA can be traced from those particular regions and migrating (not voluntarily, I'm sure) to the exact area of South Carolina where my mother was born.
As my mother said, It is impossible to put me into just one category or descriptive column.
But why is it so important to some? To continue to draw lines between us?
With the popularity and easy access to DNA testing, aren't we learning how EVERYONE is mixed race? And MANY of us have some percentage of African Ancestry!
Maybe that's what we need! To send DNA test kits to ALL Americans. Reveal reality to the closed-minded. That would really upset the apple cart. ? I think my mother would really get a big kick out of that!!
Remember ~ Treasure ~ Love… Kitt
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