The moment my daughter woke up this morning, she wanted to play with Katherine Rose, her American Girl doll. Since she twisted my arm really hard, I decided I'd play along too. You know, just to keep her company.
We began flipping through the pages of the November 2009 American Girl catalogue. We perused the list of historical dolls. My daughter smiled contently when she saw Addy and commented that she was the only brown one. As we turned each page, she paused to read the description of each doll. Then something strange happened. We couldn't find Addy featured in the catalogue. All the other historical dolls were there, but Addy wasn't. After double and triple checking, we decided we'd call the American Girl company next week to inquire about what is obviously a publishing mistake.
I could see her interest pique. She quickly grabbed the holiday edition of the catalogue to see if the mistake was in there too. And I, for one, was relieved when on page 36, Addy appeared.
Beside her photo, it read, "Meet Addy Walker 1864: a courageous girl determined to find freedom and reunite her family." As politically correct as that sounds, I still had to break it down for her. "Baby, Addy was a slave girl." Her brows furrowed. "Mummy, what's a slave?"
I walked over to her closet and retrieved a vintage playset I've been saving for her, "The Story of Harriet Tubman, Conductor on the Underground Railroad." We read the enclosed pamphlet and soon after, she made the connection between Harriet Tubman and Addy Walker. I explained that even she and I are descendants of slaves. And right on cue, in a soft whisper, I heard the innocence in her voice as she asked, "Mummy, are there any slaves today?" I pray for the day when we can tell our children, "No baby, there are no slaves."
*To help stop human trafficking, please visit the Blue Heart Campaign.
*Inspirational Monday was created by vchelle over at Operation You. We miss ya Vchelle!
We began flipping through the pages of the November 2009 American Girl catalogue. We perused the list of historical dolls. My daughter smiled contently when she saw Addy and commented that she was the only brown one. As we turned each page, she paused to read the description of each doll. Then something strange happened. We couldn't find Addy featured in the catalogue. All the other historical dolls were there, but Addy wasn't. After double and triple checking, we decided we'd call the American Girl company next week to inquire about what is obviously a publishing mistake.
I could see her interest pique. She quickly grabbed the holiday edition of the catalogue to see if the mistake was in there too. And I, for one, was relieved when on page 36, Addy appeared.
Beside her photo, it read, "Meet Addy Walker 1864: a courageous girl determined to find freedom and reunite her family." As politically correct as that sounds, I still had to break it down for her. "Baby, Addy was a slave girl." Her brows furrowed. "Mummy, what's a slave?"
I walked over to her closet and retrieved a vintage playset I've been saving for her, "The Story of Harriet Tubman, Conductor on the Underground Railroad." We read the enclosed pamphlet and soon after, she made the connection between Harriet Tubman and Addy Walker. I explained that even she and I are descendants of slaves. And right on cue, in a soft whisper, I heard the innocence in her voice as she asked, "Mummy, are there any slaves today?" I pray for the day when we can tell our children, "No baby, there are no slaves."
*To help stop human trafficking, please visit the Blue Heart Campaign.
*Inspirational Monday was created by vchelle over at Operation You. We miss ya Vchelle!
14 comments:
Se'Lah, you have such a talent for touching my heart with your writing. I pray for that day also.
oh my goodness, that story both gave me goosebumps and took my breath away. you must have been waiting and preparing for that question. you handled it beautifully.
I read so eager... so hoping Addy would turn up for your Daughter...and for you, Se'Lah. Children ask the best questions, dont' they? Sometimes we need more courage to answer them, and sometimes we don't have all the answers. How wonderful the day when there is no slavery anywhere, where no human or living being is harmed. Much pause for thought in your post today, my friend... ((HUGS))
Selah, this is a wonderful post, I pray one day we can tell all the children that. Thanks for this thought provoking post. Take care. Be well.
Such a sad story, but you handled the situation so well! hugs!
aww..the difficult conversations...hard to explain why "people" would do this to each other and why in an "enlightened" age...it still happens.
Wow, you always make me think deeply with your posts.
It is tragic there is still slaves today. Every person should be free!!
never ceases to amaze me, who you are. xoxo
this post touched me deeply, thank you for shedding light, I am praying right along with you, amen.
thanks for the link
i had teary eyes as i read your post...i am praying along with everyone. lots of love!
I was so engrossed in your words and I'm sooo thankful that Addy was featured. What a positive entry way into explaining about the horrible concepts of slavery! It was beautiful to hear about you and your daughter's precious time to talk about that... I, too, accept my entry way to tell my daughter.
I, too, pray for the day that we can tell our daugters that slavery is no more!!!
Sloane has two American Girl dolls. The first she choose was Josephina. The second (after the movie) was Kit. She told me she'd like to have Addy, too. Don't you just love kids?
Oh, man. That struck close to the heart. I pray for that day when there will be no more slaves. Thank you for sharing this conversation and making us all think a bit more. And it makes me think of all that I have to be thankful for.
Such a touching post. Your daughter is very lucky to have you as her mama. :)
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