December7
Apparently all you need is a highball glass and a black maid to impress my husband;
Garrett: I think I miss the era of the 50’s and 60’s.
Jasmine: Why? You wouldn’t be able to legally marry me!
Garrett: No just the way they dressed… I watched Mad Men last night.
I guess I need to NOT let him watch shows or movies later than the 60’s. Next he is gonna want me to call him “Mista” or “Boss” while bringing him a Mint Julep *YUM* and commanding me to mop the porch in my Mammy outfit. Garrett and I are not only from intensely different families, we e are different cultures and races that are light years apart. Garrett is a beautiful, kind, and open-minded man… he just…haa a vivid imagination. Movies and TV shows and books, sometimes, get him a little carried away.
(After watching Crooklyn, the movie)
Garrett: Did you ever live on a stoop?
Jasmine: I did grow up in the hood… but I am from OKLAHOMA not BROOKLYN.
Garrett: Well I was just wondering. Sounds like “stoop life” would be fun…
Jasmine: Yeah, I mean, since Brooklyn is the natural habitat of the black person? What the hell Garrett!
(When Isaiah, our son, was born)
Garrett: He has such smooth hair! Will this stuff fall out and then the nappy lamb’s wool stuff grow underneath.
Jasmine: NO Garrett! Jesus! He is PART African American… and “nappy” is a rude word!
Garrett: Well I know it is… but I am talking to my WIFE, and you knew what I meant. I would never say that to someone else.
Jasmine: Uhh yeah, because it is rude.
Garrrett: No, because they would probably have a knife or a gun!
Jasmine:…… I can’t even believe you.
(later)
Jasmine: Children who are biracial usually have smoother hair, but it isn’t a guarantee. White people have different textures of hair also, you know.
Garrett: I guess our different textures just aren’t as noticeable. So I am gonna have to learn how to “grease” his hair?
Jasmine: Yes. And if we ever have a daughter, you’ll have to learn how to braid too.
Garrett: I will leave that up to you, ya’ll are naturally good at corn rows.
Jasmine: WHAT! It isn’t a genetic disposition!
Garrett: Nooooo I was just saying that African Americans all grew up braiding and beading each other’s hair.
Jasmine: *Blank stare*
(After seeing an ethnic hair commercial)
Garrett: Can we Afro Isaiah’s hair! Oh my God! PLEASE! Can we!
Jasmine: Afros are only worn because our hair is so hard to manage. They aren’t REALLY fashion statements anymore! Afros, I think, are only cool to white people….
Garrett: OR we could totally cut his hair short and then cut lines into the back, like Chris Brown or Kanye West!
Jasmine: He is a two year old… he isn’t a performer. I swear! Next you are gonna request him a Gherri Curl!.
Garrett: Why do you ruin all my fun?
Jasmine: Because your fun is stupid- and stereotypical.
(Upon meeting my friend MiMi, who was born in Africa)
Garrett: So do you speak the African clicking language?
MiMi: *Blank Stare*
Garrett: No seriously, you know what I am talking about right? The one where they click to talk *imitates clicking noises*
MiMi: Jasmine! WHAT is he talking about I went to a private school…. WHAT is he talking about?
Jasmine: I guess he assumes everyone from Africa lives in a hut, just ignore him.
Garrett: OH MY GOD YA’LL are RUDE. It is not like that was even a weird question to ask someone from Africa!