Isabel Guarco’s NY Times article about visiting the birthplace of a grandmother and a culture she has never known is poignant and thought-provoking.  We so often focus on physical similarities (or dissimilarities) of multi-racial heritage and give the cultural aspects less attention.  Part of understanding who we are is seeking to understand, appreciate and honor all parts of our racial and cultural heritage.  Guarco’s parents set a wonderful example of helping her assimilate all parts of her history by telling her stories of the Filipino grandmother she never knew.  As grandparents of multiracial grandchildren, these stories are key not only to rounding out your grandchild’s understanding of his/her heritage, but also to spark healthy curiosity.  And, as I like to think of it, in doing so you are helping create a citizen of the world, not just one country….and we could use more of those!

Read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/well/family/seeing-my-heritage-through-my-grandmothers-eyes.html

Beth McNally

Project RACE Grandparents President