You know? It's really funny that I'm sitting writing this on here. I have often thought about saving this for another major project of my own, but I thought that I would share it with you because the inspiration is there. I'm 33 now, grew up in Wilmington, DE before moving to the burbs in Bear until I was 19 where I then chose home to be somewhere else. At any rate, my dominate racial background is African American on my mom's side; my dad, a Heniz 57 so-to-speak who is in his own identity crisis, made it next to impossible for me to attempt to rationalize, nor understand what it was for me to be an Albino - seemingly a race of our own with no other connection out there other than the obvious - a freak of nature with challenges of our own that no one else wanted to explore or tolerate and that I would be on my own to digest.
Of course, being the logical analytical person that I often am, I wouldn't stand for that. Growing up in "the hood," was fun actually. The "Do Do's" and "Peanuts" of the neighborhood were both friends and enemies alike. People found out quickly that I was not someone to be tested; both physically or intellectually as I could hold my own in both respects. People also learned that I could set the standards for their own success in life merely by being in the same classes as I was and ensuring that I maintained the grading curves of many teachers. :-)
Identity was often a sore subject with me when it came to the standardized tests. Okay children, fill in the bubble that matches your racial heritage. Ummmm...hmmm....well.....uhhhh.....HA I GOT IT - THE "OTHER" BOX it was created for US ALBINO FOLK who didn't know who we were! Perfect....I'll fill that one in - and for a long time, that is what I did.
Now, my relatives were pretty understanding of the whole thing when I was born; my Aunt Joyce maintained order in my room and in the nursery when people would call and make sure that I was not the freak show that I thought I was later on. She knew then I was special....still thinks I am to this day. Know what? I finally believe her.... Growing up "on the dark side" was fun. I love music....had better rythm than most; could actually breakdance very well during my 9-11 year old range, could beat box better than the boys on the corner and with the greatest of ease. Put me on the wheels of steel? Oh man....I'd tear it up! All as a natural....all easily.....and the secret identity of Albino Man still lingers..... Food, oh man....we black folk know how to EAT!!!! I cook very well - and I make it all...soul food, Italian, Mexican, BBQ, Japanese, Korean, Indian......all of it!!! Like my culture, I'm diverse....have to be in order to live in a world of tolerance and peace....it exists....but you have to think that way to create the peace that ultimately lies ahead. We're a long way from mutual understanding, but that's the way you attain it.
The annecdote connected to the title of this post - My closest cousin, Willy - a junior pastor and a barber, came to me one Thanksgiving Day while I was heavily concentrating on two foam plates of soulfood goodness, made his way down into the basement of a small row house where we all gathered year after year to partake of the nourishment provided to us by......NO NOT GOD, silly.....THE GREAT AUNTS who secrettly banded together to create the masterpiece that was what it was....... Anyway -back to the story.... he comes down blasting and comes over to me and without thinking asks me, "Tommy!!!! Yo man, I wanna ax you something! How come you not black no more?????" Oh boy.....wasn't looking for this one to happen.....but, as always, we albinos have that hidden secrety ability to be witty and fast-thinking most of the time, right? So, wihtout a pause, I looked at my bare arm, looked over at him, back at my arm, over at him....stood up, walked over to him, placed my arm next to his and compared the two.....my other cousins waiting for the response that they knew would be cocky and funny, looked at me as I blasted back, "Brotha, I don't think I eva was black, my man!!!!" The room errupted with laughter and pointing at Willy who disappeared upstairs in disgrace to try and recoup with his own selections of nourishment.
He has not lived that one down to this day.....If you know Willy, give him your regards and remind him - that Albino's are never black folk!!! We are what we are....we just have the benefit of understanding ebonics well and fit in where we can! :-)
This article is copyrighted, and I would appreciate it to be published, but only after my explicit consent and contractual agreement will I allow it to be done so....until then....enjoy it for what it is.. :-)