The 2001 film MY LOUISIANA SKY is partly a coming-of-age story of a 12-year-old girl (Tiger) in the 1950’s, at first feeling burdened by her family’s low economic status but most of all by the fact that her parents are mentally challenged. She’s embarrassed watching her mother giggling in delight over the smallest wonders and her father working manually for a neighbor who raises rare flowers. She’s embarrassed by the comments of her peers.
Mainstream people are often quick to dismiss the relevance of those they deem to be inferior. The Nazis sought to eliminate them. But who among us can accurately specify what makes us worthy of life? If you aren’t a prodigy or celebrity or scientist, why are you here? The most famous eventually fade from memory. Recently, right wing people assume they themselves are precious simply because they’ve been members of the dominant social force—and FORCE is the word. They follow the traditional mindsets. They have CORRECT beliefs. They blend in. They resent anyone or any mode of thought or action that isn’t as invisible as they are. They fear diversity.
For a few years of greater tolerance, our society noticed people we had relegated to the shadows. Some were shocked to learn all the discoveries, inventions, and artistic creations those “shadow people” had contributed. Tiger realized how very supportive and valuable her parents were, how vital their unique perceptions and loyalties could be. Recently, parents in Texas had previously denigrated Mexican rescuers to thank for the survival of some of their children. Farmers in California miss the immigrants who were resilient enough to harvest their crops. We realize many of our favorite thinkers, entertainers, and sports heroes hail from other cultures or races. When we truly see them and who they are as persons and do our best to understand what they contribute to the greater society, our minds expand.
In the 1996 film A FAMILY THING, a racist Southerner discovers his biological mother was black, having been coerced into sex by his racist father. He decides to obey his assumed white mother’s final wish that he acknowledge his true family. Making peace with the fact that he owes allegiance to an opposing culture is not quick or easy. His half-brother is even less thrilled with the situation since he long ago had to accept that his mother was raped by a white man. She died birthing his half-brother. The two men must choose between hatred and attempts at understanding. They have much to learn from one another. They can’t guess if they can create a blended family that’s functional.
Today’s DNA accessibility is opening doors for many people, doors they didn’t know existed. Frequently, the doors reveal truths the family had deliberately forgotten or hidden. People who wanted to think their ancestors were role models they would’ve admired had they known them discover their ancestors were simply people—very good and not-so, but responsible for maintaining life so their descendants would have a chance. Many find out for the first time that their ancestry may include a biological surprise.
Few of us feel a calling so strong that we never question the paths we choose in our lives. Are we mere seat-fillers or do we owe the universe more? Few realize filling our slot in history doesn’t have to be momentous to be worthwhile. We can’t perceive the big picture.
