Are you together? Um Yeah!

Last, last Friday (sorry took me a while to write this post) to get Fode's mind of Mousa's death we decided to go to the movies. We bought tickets for "This Means War."  Then we went to get snacks. The theater snack bar is cafeteria style, so you get your own drink and popcorn then you go pay for it all. We get to the check out and set out stuff on the counter, at the same time mind you, and we are asked, "Are you together?"  "Um yeah!"  Why would we set food down together on the counter if we weren't together!  

Did you know that 1 in 12 marriages are interracial, but less than 1% of marriages and black white? People just don't seem to expect a black man and white women to be together. I am reminded of this when we go to the movies, to dinner or even to the doctor's office.  Being asked if we are together happens often and usually Fode or I make a joke out of it, but that day at the movies I was frustrated by it.

I think I was just more aware of assumptions people make based on skin color because I had just spent two days at a seminar called "Beyond Diversity" taught by the Pacific Education Group.  I attended this training to help me in my role as SIOP coach (helping teachers teach to ESL students).  Here is a description of the seminar:

Beyond Diversity is a powerful, personally transforming two-day seminar designed to help teachers, students, parents, and administrators understand the impact of race on student learning and investigate the role that racism plays in institutionalized academic achievement disparities.  

This seminar awoke me to the assumptions that we all make.  I left the seminar fired up and super aware of how people are treated based on simply their skin color.  I only hope to pass this awareness on to the other staff members at my school, to be aware of what assumptions we all make and to prevent these assumptions from being detrimental to student success. 

A sewing machine for Ramatou

It may look similar to this?

Today we sent money so Ramatou( Ra ma two) Diallo so she could buy a sewing machine. Ramatou is our sister-in-law.  She is married to Fode's younger brother Mamadou (Ma ma do). They have one son named Malan.  They live in Gaoual, Guinea.  We sent $200.  This will buy a sewing machine and with the left over money she will be able to buy some fabric to get her business going. Electricity is not a guarantee in Guinea, so Ramatou will use a sewing machine run by foot pedal.  She is going to sew clothes and sell them in Gaoual.  She will also send some of the clothes to Aisata (Fode's sister in France), so she can sell the clothes in Nantes.  


A side note:  Fode calls his brother Mounamade which is his nickname.  It comes from the person he was named to.  This is what makes knowing the names of his relatives so confusing.  They have a name, but are hardly called that name.  Writing their names in this blog will help me learn their multiple names.  

Mousa (Moses)

Sad news.  Today Fode heard that Mousa died.  Mousa's mother and Fode's father had the same father.  That makes Mousa Fode's cousin.  Mousa helped Fode when he was living in Guinea-Bissau as a refugee after he escaped from Liberia.  Mousa got Fode a Visa for Portugal.  Fode would have ended up moving to Portugal if the invitation from the US had not arrived when it did.  Mousa died in Portugal.  His body will be sent back to Guinea Bissau for his burial.  Normally Muslims are buried within 24 hours, but because of his passing in Portugal the burial was delayed.  Mousa is the Islamic version of the name Moses.

Little Bafode has diabetes

Bafode about 2 1/2 years ago

We got a scare today about our nephew Bafode.  Bafode is Aisata's (Fode's sister) youngest son.  He lives in Nantes with his mom and two sisters.  He was rushed to the hospital and it turns out he has diabetes.  Aisata was worried about him because he had lost a lot of weight.  She took him to the doctor for some tests.  They called the next day to say that they were sending an ambulance for Bafode.  They explained to Aisata that he has diabetes.  He was checked into the hospital and said that he would have to stay in the hospital for a few weeks.  We are sad and scared for Bafode, but also grateful that he has access to medical care.  Had he been living in Guinea he may have not gotten the treatment that he needs.  I think Bafode is about 8 or 9 years old.  Bafode is an energetic boy who loves to play soccer.  It is hard to think of him sitting in a hospital bed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am sitting here at Salishan waiting for breakfast room service. The rain is coming down out side. The Macy's Thanksgiving day parade is playing on the tv. My honey is right next to mee studying for is refrigeration test. Life is good! I am so thankful for all of our blessings and for our wonderful family near and far.