When my daughter changed her profile picture, it didn’t take long for a text to arrive from a friend: “I didn’t know she was dating a Black boy, did you?”
The question lingered with me, and while I never sent a personal reply, I crafted this response for anyone who might be wondering the same thing.
Yes, I knew she was dating him. The color of his skin, however, doesn’t define who he is. What matters is how he treats my daughter.
I see a young man who comes to my home and treats me with genuine respect. He always says “Yes, Ma’am” and “No, Ma’am.” We talk about sports, and he never leaves without saying goodbye. He’s never once been disrespectful.
I see a boy who treats my daughter well. He takes her on dates to ballgames and out to dinner, not to clubs or parties.
I see a boy who takes her to church with him every Sunday, where he plays in the band and she sits with his family. How many young men today prioritize church? None of her past boyfriends have.
He doesn’t hit her, curse at her, lie to her, or make her cry. Would I prefer she date a white boy who did those things just to avoid a different race? Absolutely not.
That’s my answer to the question. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but at the end of the day, what makes me happy is seeing my daughter with someone who loves her and treats her like a queen. It’s something I never had, and I’m glad she does.
Credit: Heather Boyer