There are times when I think we’ve come a long way in this country on the issue of race relations. And I am forever thankful that when my parents raised me, they taught me one very important and fundamental principle to live life by: All people are equal, all are the same, and we all bleed red if you cut us.
But then I run across this item about a father in Texas who has callously decided to throw away his daughter because she’s dating a guy who happens to be black. At times like these, I painfully realize how far some among us still have to travel before we are truly equal. Sadder still is knowing that some will never learn to live, love, and treat everyone with the respect we all want for ourselves.
Stephanie Hicks is 19 years old, and because she is dating a black guy, her father wrote her one of the nastiest letters imaginable. And Stephanie decided to share that letter on Twitter.
In part, the letter reads:
“My belief is that interracial relationships are despicable. Vulgar and reprehensible. There’s nothing worse than a half-black, and I’m crushed that my own daughter has entered into such a disgusting relationship…Mistakes can be forgiven, but you have willingly and consciously chosen a lifestyle of sickening choices, and I won’t tolerate it.”
And then this sorry excuse for a father issues an ultimatum to his daughter:
“If you choose this black kid over your parents fill [suitcases] up and leave my house…Change your name as soon as possible, because I won’t have any association with you. Ever.”
sad that it's 2016 and skin color still matters @itsnikeee_fr pic.twitter.com/06kPrr8MZs
— steph (@st3phanie_hicks) February 19, 2016
As the father of a 9-year-old daughter, I hurt for this young girl in Texas. Am I always going to agree with every decision my daughter makes? No. Just as my parents didn’t with all of mine over the years. But I will never stop loving her and I will never ever turn my back on her, no matter what.
Love does not recognize color, or gender, or any other boundary. Love just is. And to the father who wrote this hateful letter to his daughter, I have this message: You should be ashamed of yourself. And you should immediately beg for her forgiveness, though I’m not sure you deserve it.