Am I Black?: A Mother’s Reflection on Identity, Belonging, and the Beauty of Becoming.

A little girl holding her hand very close to her eyes, while inspecting her skin.

Black History Month invites us to honour legacy—but also to reflect on the quiet, personal moments that shape how we see ourselves and each other. As a mother, I’ve watched my children ask questions that made me laugh, pause, and sometimes ache. This story is one of those moments. It’s about identity, belonging, and the tender ways our children navigate both—especially when the world around them feels unfamiliar.

My daughter was about three years old in kindergarten. We were in the minority, and I noticed something that unsettled me: she didn’t mix with the Black girls in her group, and they did not want to mix with her as well ( they were only 3, including her). They had their own little clique, and she didn’t seem to be part of it. Gently, I encouraged her to play with her Black sisters. She looked at me, then held her hand close to her eyes, inspecting it with great seriousness. “Am I Black?” she asked. I still crack up when I remember it—but beneath the humour was a moment of deep reflection.

Later, when we travelled back to our home country, my son—then four—kept asking, “Why are they all Black?” He’d forgotten he was in his own homeland. And when we landed back in Europe, he looked around and said, “I’m back home now. ”That broke my heart a little. It was funny, yes—but also revealing.

These moments stayed with me. They shaped how I speak to my children about identity, pride, and belonging. They inspired me to create products that affirm who we are—gently, creatively, and with love.

This month, I’m sharing stories like these—real, raw, and sometimes hilarious—as part of our We Rise Together series. It’s a celebration of Black family bonds: mothers, sons, daughters, and the beautiful, sometimes bumpy journey of becoming.

Our We Rise Together Bundle https://www.ruthymichaels.com/product-page/we-rise-together brings this spirit to life through affirming colouring pages that honour legacy, love, and growth. It’s for families like mine—and maybe yours.

Listen to the playlist that grew from this story → [Black History Month Playlist | ruthymichaels.com]

If this story resonates with you

I invite you to explore the bundle or share your own reflections. Black history lives in our homes, our laughter, and our questions. Let’s rise together.