What sort of resources would you like to see...?

[bliss_eternal]

For those in ir/multi-cultural relatioships and/or families? Is there something that you've noticed doesn't exist because you wished you were able to utilize it? If so, what?

For example, I saw a post on this board from someone looking for dolls that reflected multicultural heritage. It would be great for children of multicultures to be able to play with toys that look like them. I've also seen some hairdressers that specialize in working with curly hair--which is quite benefiical for those with multi-textured tresses--particularly seen in diverse children and families.

Anyway, what doesn't exist (or is in short supply) that you'd like to see (more of) in the world?

[jmm]

1. I like your ideas!

Especially the one about hairdressers. Parents shouldn't have to take their children to different sides of town to get their hair done. Years ago I hard Oprah talk of how she went to a salon and asked the guy if he did black hair. He said, "Of course, I do black hair, and blond hair, and red hair." That day she went bald. I wanna see places that are knowledgeable of different hair types as well as both natural and processed styles. I always had multicultural dolls and books so access to them was ever an issue for me growing up. I did have a few problems issues arise involving crayons and the people dealt with toys at school but I do think alot has improved since then.

The main thing I'd like to see change is media representations. I want to see something a bit more nuanced than "Look! Here's two people with different skin tones in love," or the "tragic mulatto" myth.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Thank you!

The media does us all a major injustice--they really make me sick!

If I see one more movie or tv show that makes a big deal of relationships like ours, I don't know what I'll do. I even heard oprah do it...

She asked Tom Cruise what it was like to have a 'black' son. I'll be the first to say Tom Cruise has said and done some absolutely insane things the last year or so, but thankfully this was NOT one of those moments. He just got quiet and said,"he is my son--nothing else matters." I think he went on to say some other cool things about the situation that I was impressed with at the time, but sadly escapes me at the moment. I just know my husband was home that day and we sat here cheering! LOL!

Oprah TRIED to clean it up by saying something about Spielberg's adopted son--also black, and how cute he is, blah, blah. But it was too late. It was obvious to me. SHE has an issue with it. Instead of asking about it off camera and then having an intelligent discussion about it on-camera she put her big foot in her big mouth and cheapened the whole discussion. She had an opportunity to bring some awareness to a situation and she ruined it.

I'd like to see more dolls for more age ranges. I'd also like to see more hairdressers that didn't act like it was 'wrong' for people of color to seek services at their salon. Also skin care specialists--just anyone willing to serve this population of people. I'd love to see more support groups set up in cities where such relationships aren't yet in a majority. Maybe even a resource book rating different parts of the country on what it's like to live there as a multicultural family.