Interracial Family Organization

The Hintons

// October 27th, 2009 // written by Kat Robertson

AUTHOR BIO:

Hi my name is Lorrie. I am 44 yrs old and live in northern California with my wonderful husband Chris and my 17 year old son, Brian. I also have a daughter who is 20, attends college and lives away from home. What an accomplishment THAT has been!…for both she and I! Both of my children are Filipino and white. I was married to their father, who is Filipino, for 16 years. The kids are more culturally white American, as their father was born in this country and never made much of a priority to embrace his parent’s culture. Other than food, not much has been passed down to them regarding their Filipino heritage. However, I can’t deny….they don’t look like their mama much. I remember once when my daughter was a baby, being asked by the receptionist at the dentist’s office if she was adopted. When I told her no (and probably acted a little shocked) she told me she thought maybe my daughter was adopted “because people like to adopt those Korean babies.”

I often was asked about my children…..”what are they?” The kids tell me now that they are older, people often mistake them for being Hispanic. Anyway, they are great kids. My daughter is studying communications and marketing in college and is growing into such a fine woman. I am so proud of her. Whoooo….it was hit or miss whether either of us was gonna make it through her senior year without killing the other, but we made it! My son is taking it easy on me this year as a senior (knock on wood!). He is going to be joining the Air Force when he graduates. Even though it makes me extremely worried, it’s something he’s been talking about wanting to do for years. Whatever he chooses, I know I will be very proud of him. He has a heart and integrity that makes my soul smile.

My husband, Chris, and I have been married a short 2 1/2 years. He is my soul mate, as cliche as it sounds. To me, it was a miracle to find this kind of love at this time in my life. Chris is black. I have a very multicultural family, so my family is very accepting of our relationship, as is his. Chris is the best step-dad to my kids and they love him. We have no issues with race within the sanctuary of our home. Of course, it’s not always like that outside in the world. For the most part, we have little problems where we live, near San Francisco. However, we have traveled a few times to see family in small town mid-west and the south and I have been disturbed by our treatment there. Racism has done so much harm to our country and it continues, maybe not as blatant, but it’s still there, much to the disbelief of those who think we now live in a post-racial America.

I am so happy to meet others with interracial marriages/families. I look forward to making some good friends!