I belong to the United Nations of families. Hasn’t always been the case—as a kid, we were small, white and 100% Jewish. Boring times.
Now, things have changed. I have two nephews who I love like my own children. They’re bi-racial. My first cousin (who I’m very close with—he’s a great guy; four years my junior and one of my favorite people in the world) is married to a Korean woman. They have two kids—a 3-year-old boy named Abraham, and a girl, Soon, who was just born yesterday.
I love the richness of my family’s diversity. L-o-v-e it. I imagine people who’ve always had such an environment might not appreciate things, but the wife and I sure do. It’s America 2010. At least it’s what America 2010 looks like in the thinking person’s guide to the United States (ie: People who don’t share the xenophobic irrationality of too many so-called patriots). I don’t want an all-white country, an all-white town or an all-white family. I want an influx of cuisines and accents and experiences.
As I noted, Soon was born yesterday. Her name is, officially, Soon Min Pearlman, a regal ID that speaks to both sides of her background. I think it’s one of the great names of all time. Two weeks ago, Soon’s grandmother, also named Soon Min, died after a lengthy and unspeakably courageous battle with cancer. She was a remarkable woman who sacrificed everything for her two children; who was blessed with wonderful values and an enormous heart. My cousin told me Soon, the grandmother, didn’t want the daughter named after her, because she might feel lassoed by a strange moniker.
I’m glad they ignored her.
It’s magical.
