Oops, your racism is showing.

[brigid]

Niko and I went to the library today for story time. Because our branch (which is walkable, or reachable by walking 2 blocks, taking a bus, and crossing the street) is closed for reconstruction, we had to go to a different branch which involves a lot more walking OR taking two buses. It would actually be easier to go all the way downtown on the train, I think, but I had books on hold to pick up anyway, so away we went.

As we trekked back home, a woman parked in the street smoking a cigarette with her window down waved at us and started going on and on about how cute and beautiful and adorable Niko is.

Now, here’s the thing.

I think my kid is hot shit.

I think he’s the cutest, most adorable child on the face of the planet. I think he’s gorgeous. He’s awesome.

But I’m his mom. I’m VERY aware of my bias.

But when a white woman starts oozing praise on how “beautiful” my blonde-haired grey-eyed pale-skinned child is, and adds that it’s SO RARE that she sees attractive children in this neighborhood, they’re just SO UGLY, and it’s a neighborhood that’s primarily Hispanic and Korean… this is not a case of my child needing to sign up with a talent agency STAT so he can be the next big toddler modeling thing. This is a case of creepy, intrusive racism and elevating white children and white physical traits above not-white children with their not-white physical traits.

And let me tell you, there are some BEAUTIFUL kids in our neighborhood. (they also tend to be MUCH better behaved than my kid. Sorry, world.)

The other alternative, of course, is that she’s gearing up to snatch a “beautiful” kid or something. I honestly don’t know. Now that I’m chillin’ out and thinking about this more, I think we’ve had a similar run in with her before.

Complete with her screaming praise at Niko’s beauty as we walk further and further away.

Ugh, creepers.

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