The Importance of a Diverse Neighborhood

When adopting a child who is not the same race as you, I think it's really important to be in an area where diversity exists, and where your child doesn't feel completely out of place for his race alone.

I never want Nur to feel like he doesn't belong.  I fully realize that he will most likely have some identity issues because he is adopted.  But I don't want him to also have issues because he is surrounded by the privileged white people.  I always want Nur to feel special, loved, accepted.  I want him to feel like an individual, but to also know that there are people who look just like him. 

MN Public Radio just did a great story the other morning on race in our state (our state which is full of Scandinavians. . . much like myself) and how it's becoming more diverse.  They then stated that my neighborhood is the most diverse one in the state. . . with approximately 70% of the people in my neighborhood being non-white.  The school district we live in is very diverse, and made up of mostly African Americans. 

Our church down the street has only black members.  I have visited and was encouraged to visit more, but I would be the sole white person.  I guess that's okay.  One of my children's doctors is African, and their primary nurse is an African American.  One of their teachers is Lebanese, and in their class, there is a family from Somalia and a family from Ethiopia. 

Why am I telling you all of this?  Because I think it's important that when we make the choice to have someone from a different race join our families, it is really important to look around us.  It's a hard realization when we look around and realize that we surround ourselves with people who look just like us.  Diversity is a good thing.  I know my family has already benefited from the diverse area we call home.  And I never want Nur to question his looks.  Afterall, he is a beautiful brown boy, and I never want him to think that being paler (like his mama) is what he should aspire to.