Putting the Jerrys, Rikkis and Leezas Out Of Business Why do people insist on seeing multi-racial families as “different?” By Heike Boehnke-Sharp Putting the Jerrys, the Rikkis, and Leezas out of business! If all multi-racial couples were like us, Jerry Springer, Rikki Lake and company would ALL probably be doing psychic readings! We are “boring!” When I first moved to the U.S from Europe, I used to find their portrayals of multi-racial couples and families on TV quite amusing, thinking that they must be getting paid to act ignorant. My husband warned me… I didn't believe him. I was amused until I realized that this is the way the majority of the public in the U.S. sees and experiences multi-racial families, especially after the whole O.J and Nicole Simpson saga. Honestly, have you EVER seen a loving, respectful, professional, yes, dare I say SUCCESSFUL multi-racial couple on TV? Aha, things are falling into place! We were disrespected openly when we went shopping in sweats or jeans and weren't recognized as a couple when we were out in our “business” suits. In our case, my husband is Afro-American (we say black, and I will continue with that), and I am white, from Europe. So we also have a multi-ethnic issue here. I was expecting that type of open disrespect when we visited family in the South, but not here, in liberal, tolerant California. The sad thing is the trashier and more uneducated the people “dissing” us were, the more they thought it was OK to disrespect us openly. Without going into further detail, I have learned to take care of those incidents. ___________________________ I believe the reason many people are wary of Multi families is because they don't personally know any and cannot relate to the things WE go through in everyday life. ____________________________ I was wrong. In the South they are just more open about their prejudice. It may sound strange, but I can see where it stems from there. I cannot accept it. And I can't keep my mouth shut, which is one reason we will never move to the South. We have made roots here and had a child, one of my reasons to start my “Mission of Education.” I believe the reason many people are wary of Multi families is because they don't personally know any and cannot relate to the things WE go through in everyday life. I don't mean just the obvious color issue alone, but also the issue of integrating two different races and colors, heritages and upbringings into one. We are very open about our differences. People ask us questions that are very basic to the very complex issues of racism, integration, loyalty and respect. Once offered a venue, many people are ready to change their opinion and learn. Cyberspace, convenient travel, telecommuting, foreign exchanges, country disputes, economic and political immigration are making this country more cosmopolitan and diverse. People in little towns that haven't seen a big city are Internet gurus, seeing the world through their screens. The more people let themselves enjoy the beautiful diverse world we have, the fewer fans Jerry, Rikki and the others will get! Heike Boehnke-Sharp is the mother of two angels that make her see the world a little differently, and shares them with her husband and dog. Her mission is to educate through open discussions and stories of multi-ethnic families. Through her various websites & blogs, she reaches women and advocates more earth-conscious living. She is working on a novel and makes goddess pendants for a "living." You can reach her at www.heikeonline.com. This website: Copyright © 2007 Dream World Media, LLC. / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.