Day 18/365: And the race-consciousness began

[nanila]

Humuhumu is developing a habit of whispering a burning question to me just as I'm tucking her into bed at night. Up until tonight, these have mostly been in the category "Let's test if Mummy knows this thing I learnt in school today". For instance,

H: "Mummy, do you think the moon is light?"
Me: "You mean, do I think the moon is made of light?"
H: *nods*
Me: "No, I think the moon is mostly made of rock."
H: "Very good, Mummy! That's right."

Tonight was a little different. We had just finished reading Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman and Divya Srinivasan, which she received as a Christmas present from the aforementioned Auntie Kate, and which features an Indian girl and a tiger. It specifically mentions Cinnamon's soft brown skin. When I was reading those descriptions, Humuhumu wove her fingers into mine, and was looking at our skin.

I leaned over to take off her glasses and put them on her purple owl glasses holder. She slung an arm round my neck and whispered to me.

H: "Mummy, are we white people?"
Me: "...No, honey, not entirely."
H: "What do you mean?"
Me: "I mean you are part white and part Filipino."
H: "What's Filipino?"
Me: "The broader term is Asian. Where Grandpa is from."
H: "Oh. Will I be a white person when I grow up?"
Me: "No, you will always be part Asian, because Mummy is, and Grandpa is. You will always be a bit brown."
H: "Oh."
*pause*
H: "Mummy, can you tuck me in now? I'm ready to sleep."
Me: "Okay."

Comments

[antisoppist]

Your daughter will always know she can trust you to give her honest answers even to difficult questions and that you're on her side. She's really lucky.

[nanila]

I hope so. I hope it continues to be so, too. Thanks.