American

A friend of mine recently encouraged me to start blogging again and I was reminded of what a handy way this is to keep track of stories that I all too soon forget.  So, here goes.

The other day, Matthew was singing a song he learned at school.  "We are American, every DAY. Living the American, American WAY!"  he belted out.  Then he stopped and looked at me very seriously.  "I am American," he said.

"Yes," I agreed.  "You are."

"But not you," he said.  "I'm the only American in our family."

"What?" I replied.  "I'm American!  Matthew, our whole family is American!  We LIVE in America!"

"Uh, Mooommmm," Matthew said, "you're NOT black."

"Ohhhhhhhh, African American!  Matthew, you mean that I'm not African American."

"Oh.  Right," he said.  "I forgot that African part."