Black and White Make Gray...But, I'm Not an Elephant: But I'm Not an Elephant

I wrote this story because I did not see a reflection of myself in any of the books that I read while growing up. For many years, I was the only biracial child in my class. I often wondered, “Where can I find a story about my experience?” I had no characters with whom I could relate, and nowhere to turn. Every story was either black or white. Growing up a biracial child, I went through many changes. I could not turn to my friends or family and say, “Me, too!” or “You feel like that, too?” During this time, my parents were very supportive, but could they really understand what it felt to be me - biracial? To this day, I cannot walk in my father’s shoes: a black man. I cannot walk in my mother’s shoes: a white woman. I can; however, walk in a biracial child’s shoes, because that is who I am. Biracial children need to understand that it is okay to embrace who they are. I know how difficult it is, but we need to teach our children that they do not have to feel guilty or ashamed of their cultural identity. I know that children need to see a reflection of themselves when they read. If my reflection helps one little child embrace him/herself; then, I am doing my part to help change America.