Posted on in Kids, Racism, Strong Women, two moms, Uncategorized, Wordpress

Love has to win, right?

Be Happy. Love Wins.

The other night, as a family, we watched, An American Girl Story – Melody, 1963: Love Has To Win. It’s a short movie about social injustice and racism during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s. Melody, age 10, just like my Big,  is a character in the line-up of American Girl dolls and the story of her experiences during this turbulent time in our American History is incredibly important and powerful. We all four, plus Gatsby, snuggled in on the sofa and dimmed the lights.

Melody is immediately likable. Smart, witty, creative, friendly and principled, she is a young African-American girl attending school in a sea of Caucasian students and staff. Her mom provides her with a strong faith for a brighter future. That passion effervesces in all Melody does. Her grandpa, he is a bit more cynical realistic? about this world.

At school, during the Pledge of Allegiance something I had to recite every morning in public school growing up, Melody stands atop her desk and cries out, “The Pledge of Allegiance is a lie. It’s a lie!” It may not be this line verbatim, but that is the gist. Melody clearly did not feel that she had the same liberties as her white classmates and she was not afraid to share that sentiment out loud.

Her heart, fragile and so compassionate…

While not showing actual violence, the movie did weave in some real-life, heinous acts of racism, moments in time that no one can be proud of… Police brutality, and the one that brought my Big to her knees, the brutal bombing of the church in Birmingham that killed four young black girls. We had to hit pause, up the lights and do our best to explain why such vile, repugnant behavior existed? Exists. My Big, her sobbing was real. She felt the pain and it cut through her big, beautiful, loving, compassionate heart like a knife through butter.

We let her cry it out as we talked about the way things were; the way things are now. The work that still needs to be done. The kinder (kids), they know from #MarchForEquality, #BlackLivesMatter, #WomensRights, #GunsDown, #MomsDemandAction, #NotOneMore… They have been read to and read about Dr. Martin Luther King. They are floored that anyone could be judged or mistreated for the color of their skin. My Little, she even asked if mrt was going to do anything fix racism. Oh, do not get me started on the man that uses the N-word and hangs with white supremacists.

Was it the very best movie ever? No. Yet all told, this movie served us quite well. It sparked a very provocative conversation about racism, skin color, slavery and a lot of the other things that are brought out by hate, misunderstanding, and bigotry in this world.

That 10-year-old Melody, she is a positive force and a role model for strong, mighty girls. Her rebel-girl spirit really got through to my 10-year-old maideleh (little sweet girl). This is why love has to win… it must. This momma is counting on it.

Yiddish Proverb:

For your children’s sake, you would tear the world apart. Fer kinder tsereist men a velt.

Have you talked about racism in your home with your kids? Maybe Melody needs to visit your place, too. Nu?

 

38 thoughts on “Love has to win, right?”

  3. There really is so much still to be done when it comes to equality in the world. But it’s great that we have resources like books and films to remind us how awful the past has been and encourage us to keep pursuing kindness – change is happening and it’s everyone’s responsibility #blogcrush

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Bless your daughters what thoughtful and compassionate young women. You are clearly doing a fabulous job as their mothers. I haven’t heard of this movie but it certainly sounds thought provoking. Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sounds like a very thought provoking film. Our eldest is still only 3 so we haven’t had any conversations about racism yet. We’re just focusing on teaching her to be kind to everyone. At the minute she thinks the world is perfect and I want to keep it that way for her for just a little bit longer #triumphanttales

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Oh I must look this one up. We have ongoing conversations about racism. My boys are at a very Dutch middle class school but I regularly bring them to my international school where there are kids from every background, ethnicity, religion etc Kids are a great role model to show adults how to live well together.
    My boys are the different ones, not because of their skin colour but because they have an English mum and that can still be difficult for some ‘narrow minded’ people to accept so yes we have regular discussions around the dinner table. Thank you for sharing such an important message with me on #PointShoot 📸

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Sounds like a really thought provoking movie to watch. And one that clearly touched your girls hearts. We do need to address racism at some point with our children. My daughter is so loving and giving. I want her to feel empowered to change the world, so addressing these topics is hugely important. Hugs Lucy xxxx #blogcrush – sorry it’s taken me so long to comment.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Sounds like a good film for explaining real life to kids. My son is only 4 and daughter only 8 months so the discussion of racism hasn’t come up yet. Honestly, i wish he could live in his innocent bubble where everyone is accepted forever. #KCACOLS

    Like

  13. Melody would always be welcome here. We’ve discussed racism on a low level. Our 8 yo is certainly becoming more aware, which I find quite sad in a way. She’s had several Eastern European friends (close friends) over her young year and and other friends with different skin. It’s so very sad that we even have to explain the differences when there aren’t any! #kcacols

    Liked by 1 person

  14. A film is a good way to approach a difficult topic. I my eldest is 6 so I’m not sure if he’s ready for a movie like that but we have talked frankly about how people are different but all deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Great, brave post. #thesatsesh

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I really need to remember about this film when I return to teaching History to teens at some point (and for my own kids when they get older). We used to show Mississippi Burning to the older teens (with parental consent as it is a very hard film to watch and) but I did begin to feel it was too much for some of them and this sounds good for the younger teens too. Thanks for letting me know about it. #thesatsesh xx

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Ah what a fantastically written post, and one that has left me thinking. I guess we have a long way to goo when it comes to equality, but this is one post that many people should read. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. We haven’t talked about racisism much at home, we have talked more about everyone being treated equal and not being mean to anyone for thier differences. My son has special needs and has faced bullying over the years. I have tired to instil in my kids that this isn’t right and you should treat everyone the same. We can only hope that things will get better in our world.
    #KCACOLS

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Lisa, yes I still want cake, but I had to leave you a comment and tell you how amazing you’re doing. I talk about these things to my daughter all the time, and often am shocked that she is sometimes sheltered in her views as I’m so straight shooting. The older they get, the more interesting the conversation should be. We sat down and watched 9/11 footage last week, my daughter was so shocked and couldn’t understand why anything like that would happen or why anyone would do anything so hideous. I truly believe by talking openly about these things we leave some sort of mark #KCACOLS

    Liked by 1 person

  20. I haven’t heard of this film but it sounds very thought provoking. I think as a society we still have a long way to go when it comes to equality. #KCACOLS

    Liked by 1 person

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