My Mixed-Up ‘Jamerican’ Journey
It was a long and hard road to the presidency, not just for Barack Obama, but for the American people as well. For me, it has been downright gut-wrenching. Let me explain.
I am a biracial American. My mother is a black immigrant from Jamaica, and my father is a blend of white Scandinavian roots who was born in Iowa City, Iowa. I’m a “Jamerican” who grew up immersed in African American culture–by choice. When my parents married in the 1960s, it was illegal in 39 states. Add to my racial composition the fact that I was raised in a very Christian home–legalistically Christian, if you catch my drift–and you’ve got a potentially combustible combination of cultural elements.
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