This morning, while waiting for the school bus, I decided to have a little chat with my son about Rosa Parks. I thought I could use her death as an opportunity to teach LittleJuJu a little about our American history. As far as I can tell, he is blissfully unaware of the goings on in this world before he was born, before I was born and before even his grandparents were born. I wanted to help him understand things, but he didn't understand. I don't blame him. How can such a story be understood?
Before I even got halfway through the tale of this brave woman, as I discussed the rules concerning African Americans ("don't know why they call them 'black' people, Mama because they aren't black. Their skin is maybe more of a brown color") and the way they had to use separate bathrooms and sit only at the rear of the bus, my son stopped me and said:
"That is definitely the stupidest rule I have ever heard, so stupid."
I hear you, baby. I'm also so damn proud of you.