Maia Laaning Ch. 16

"Wow an all white nation!"

"Pretty much."

Rose then continued her observation, "My mother has said that I'm fortunate that the racial climate in the United States has changed for the better since it had been in the past. Even in the early years of their marriage my mother could sense that whenever she was seen with my dad in public that they were subject to some disdainful stares. Of course, since she has become a well known restaurateur and nightclub owner, in Chicago, their marriage is viewed by the public much more favorably. As for me, I don't get a second glance in public whether I'm with a black boyfriend and for that matter if I'm with a white boyfriend.

"My mother had amongst her DVD collection; an old 1959 movie titled, 'Imitation of Life' starring Lana Turner. She asked me to watch it when I was questioning her about my racial quandary. I must say I was totally shocked by the film's main subplot. Lana Turner's character has a black lady serving her as her housekeeper, confidante, and best friend. The black woman has a daughter who is fair enough and is determined to pass herself off as white. She dates a white guy who then beats her up after discovering she is actually black.

"Later on, the daughter again passes for white to get a job performing at a seedy nightclub but tells her mother she is working at the library. When the mother learns the truth, she goes to the club to claim her daughter; the daughter is subsequently fired as a result. She then runs away from home, leaving a note to her mother that says if she truly does care about her, she should leave her alone and let her live her life. Some years later the mother dies partially, as a result of her grief of losing contact with her daughter. The Lana Turner character arranges for a lavish funeral. Just before the funeral procession sets off, the daughter, bereaved and guilt-ridden, pushes through the crowd of mourners to throw herself upon her mother's casket apologizing and begging for her mother's forgiveness, proclaiming 'I killed my own mother!'

"I was totally aghast watching this movie as I could not relate to what racial relations must have been like in those days. This movie was made before Martin Luther King's famous civil rights movement which led to federal legislation that helped ameliorate the unjust disadvantage for black folks. However, what got me about this movie was the overwhelming desire by the daughter to pretend she was pure white in order to lead a better life as she saw it. As I see it in my own case, I believe I'm not at a disadvantage whether I'm considered white or black.

"Besides because my father is descended from a white grandfather, I can claim I have more white blood than black. Thus, I'm more justified in passing myself off as white than the movie character. Of course, my brother Tony, in considering his skin color would have a hard time convincing anyone that he is more white than black."

Maia chuckled at that last bit of witticism by Rose. So she responded, "I can understand that the disparity of skin color between the races can be a source of pure enmity. As it so happens in Estonia, we have such a homogeneous society that race is not an issue."

Rose then said, "So in conclusion, I guess if I marry a white man, I'll live like the Duchess of Sussex mainly frequently in a white society and have predominantly white children. But if I marry a black man, then I guess like President Obama, I'll probably have black children and live in a predominantly black society. I'm not sure whether I prefer one over the other, and that's why I can't identify myself to either race."

Maia responded, "Then you can consider yourself lucky, Rose. It would not matter as to which race the gentleman you happen to fall in love with. You can be confident that you would fit win in with your gentleman's family.