Pride and Prejudice

In the course of human events that affect the world, such as the earthquake and the aftershocks in Haiti, children quickly become among the victims of that tragedy.  With many children without parents, one natural reaction by the world is to adopt these homeless children.  One religious group was arrested for doing that, perhaps in the wrong way.  As a parent, I can feel for couples who have room in their hearts and their homes to help these foreign children.  One thing must be considered goes beyond the current situation … their future.

As an Afro-American, I have experienced the negatives of prejudice not only by people of other skin color, but by those of my own who have, in their own way, tried to bring out the pride in my race.  Knowledge and respect for the past is important, but a false pride does not put me above anybody else.
My wife, Diana, is Hispanic with roots that go back to a rich Spanish genealogy.   Although often mistaken for a “white” person, she has experienced discrimination in her own world.  Our two children, Mason, 12, and Melisa, 10, are living in a world much different than what Diana and I experienced and I believe in many ways it is a better place concerning obvious discrimination efforts.

As parents, we are making efforts to let more children know about their cultural heritage so they can appreciate who they are.  There is still discrimination, prejudice and problems for them to face on their own in the future, but I would like them to have pride in who they are and what they can accomplish.

Organizations that follow the procedures and rules have begun the process to adopt the infant and young children of Haiti, and it is a fact that the chances of these kids having more secure, healthier lives increases with adoption by families in this country.  One of the things that is unique to Haiti is their culture and a general positive attitude for life.  Will these children, taken from this environment, still retain a happy view of life, once a child of America and its villages?

The answer depends on the way the new parents love and raise them.   A better education and better health will lead to one aspect of better lives for these children being adopted, but contact with relatives from their native country will keep them grounded without prejudice and a sense of pride in what they can achieve as adults.
Peace be you with always,

Rev. Paul Abernathy

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:2

Contact Paul Abernathy at paulabernathy@gmail.com.

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