“Mommy, today at school, I learned that we are all shades of brown!” our preschooler announced at the dinner table. I perked up and leaned in to listen. She matter-of-factly explained, “Daddy is a little brown. You are really brown. And I am medium brown!” I was ecstatic! I could hardly believe it.
You see, years before we had children, my husband and I contemplated how we would equip our children to navigate our hyper-racialized society. We understood that our multi-ethnic children would need to navigate their interracial social context in ways that Nathan and I, as children, did not have to. We knew people would ask, “What are you?” We knew that some White people may see them as Black and some Black people may consider them “not Black enough.” We considered how we would instill a sense of belonging to humanity, whether or not they were rejected or embraced by a racial group. We wanted them to know the essence of their personal identity — who they were and Whose they were. When polite society inevitably inquired about their origins, we wanted them to understand that they were fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image — that each of us is a reflection of God.
We knew we didn’t have all the answers, and we couldn’t anticipate every awkward racial encounter. But we wanted our family and our home to welcome learning, conversation, and growth. We wanted to normalize the diversity of God’s human family, while also acknowledging that race is a man-made construct designed to diminish God’s glory. And guessing that our children, like their parents, would have friends from various backgrounds, we wanted to normalize belonging amid differences. We desired for our children to love differences — for them to see and honor God’s glory in all people!
So when our preschooler used “brown” to encompass our various hues, we embraced it. “Yes, hues of brown!” I agreed. Without hesitation, I explained how melanin is brown and how the amount of melanin we have depends on where our distant ancestors lived in proximity to the equator. “Daddy’s ancestors lived further away from the equator. My ancestors lived closer to the equator.” We also nurtured understanding about ethnicity, culture, and nationality.
Our family-oriented, life-giving lessons and conversations became a beacon of hope for friends and neighbors. Moms, especially, reached out to me to help them move beyond the colorblind approach, which had deprived them of understanding how each of us is a unique piece in God’s mosaic. As a result, they had been afraid to even talk about skin tone and race. Moms wanted to learn and understand how to nurture natural curiosity without the fear of perpetuating racial division. And I was more than happy to pour from our family’s cup.
Because of the finished work of Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid to break free from ideas and practices that discourage us from seeing, valuing, and loving our neighbor.
In Romans 12, Paul reminds us to avoid aligning with ideas and practices that are not a reflection of God. He wrote, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV). Paul encourages us to renew our minds so that we can align with God’s will — to see as God sees. In that same chapter, he illustrates how we are parts of one body, though we are individuals — “each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5 NIV). Paul then implores, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).
As our minds are renewed, a glorious vision for humanity is restored. From the conversations within our home, I am encouraged that what I thought was for the love of my own children, God has multiplied for the love of all children, for the sake of families and communities all around.
—
Hues of You: An Activity Book for Learning About the Skin You Are In offers a smart and honest starting point to help you have natural, effective, and meaningful conversations about skin tone and race. Divided into four main sections — Hues of You, Hues of Your Family, Hues of Your Ancestors, and Hues of Your Friends — each page offers space to explore identity in a variety of social contexts, so that you are empowered to openly recognize, embrace, and honor God’s multi-hued world.
We are so excited about this new book from our dear Lucretia! It’s such a wonderful resource and will enhance any child’s library. Leave a comment today and you’ll be entered to WIN one of five copies we’re giving away!
Then join Lucretia and (in)courage Community Manager Becky Keife for a chat all about Hues of You! Tune in tomorrow on our Facebook page at 11am central for their conversation.
Giveaway open to US addresses only and closes on 3/3/22 at 11:59pm central.
Listen to today’s article below or stream on your fave podcast player!
Leave a Comment
Ruth Mills says
This is SO rich!!! You have the words our world needs!!! Praying your book explodes with sales & acted on in every home. Blessings upon blessings.
Lucretia Berry says
Ruth, thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Madeline says
This is wonderful! The simple concept of different hues to address our sameness and uniqueness and all the while remembering that we ALL God’s children. Thank you.
Lucretia Berry says
Madeline, you’re welcome!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
April Spencer says
Thank You so much for this! My multi-cultural babies were littles in the first two decades of this century and I would have LOVED to have this blog to look to. So Thank God for you. It means a lot to us that this generation has you for support. I will be telling my kids (who have littles now) to look you up. ❤️
Lucretia Berry says
April, thank you!
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
K K says
Love this!! Want my girls to grow up seeing, loving, affirming, and embracing every shade of people!
Lucretia Berry says
KK!
Amen!!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Ann says
This is wonderful!! My daughter, who is bi-racial, used to wonder why she was a different color than most of her classmates (she now totally and wholeheartedly embraces her beautiful golden brown skin!!) I love, love, love your explanation for ‘hues of brown’- melanin is brown and how the amount of melanin we have depends on where our distant ancestors lived in proximity to the equator. That’s all it is, the color of our melanin!!!! Thank you!
Lucretia Berry says
Ann! You’re welcome!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Brenda M. Russell says
Hello Everyone,
Today is the last day of February (2/28/22). It’s Monday and many people are thinking about Lent and Easter and also Mardi Gras and Spring Break.
I am a daughter, a wife, and mother of three beautiful daughters with different hues. Valerie (Cinnamon), Victoria (Mahogany), and Vanessa (Amber). All beautiful and intelligent young ladies who know the Love of Christ. When they were growing up, I don’t recall a lot of questions about tones of their skin but many questions about the difference in each daughter’s hair texture. I just didn’t think it was a negative thing but inquisitive minds ask many questions. But guess what, all mothers don’t have the academic answers that yield confidence and strength of character. My girls made it through puberty, teenage life, High School and College. Let’s give God the Praise, Honor and Glory for His Gifts of Children to us.
Thank You Lord for Your Grace and Mercy. I can’t make it from day to day without Your Wisdom and Guidance and the Truth taught by the Holy Spirit who points us back to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Glory to the name of Jesus !
Brenda
Enjoy your day
Lucretia Berry says
Brenda!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!! In our family of five, we are 5 different hues of brown as well, with 5 different hair textures!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Nancy Runyon says
Thank you for this. We have some different hues in our family and this is a great way of looking at it.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Nancy! Thank you for reading.
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Irene says
This book sounds like a “keeper”. I’m always trying to learn new ways to interact with people. And I’m working to change my mind and heart about how to embrace others. Thank you, Lucretia!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Irene!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement and your learning journey!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
kimwags says
When my daughter was tiny, she commented to me about a little boy she saw: “Mommy, he is chocolate.” When I asked her what she was, she replied, “Vanilla.” My heart melted.
Lucretia Berry says
Too cute!!!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Virginia Rutherford says
Wow! What a powerful testimonial. Hues of You will be a wonderful addition to every classroom. As Assistant Director at Christ Church School, we’ll be exciting about adding a copy of this to our library (whether we win a copy or not!!) Thank you for sharing your story and offering this terrific resource!!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Virginia!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!! Hues of You makes a great addition to Week Zero of the school year. If you or your classroom teachers want to order in bulk, Main Street Books provides a bulk order discount. Main Street Books is listed as one of the retailers on the Hues of You website (brownicity.com/hue-of-you)
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Krista Wolters says
This book looks fantastic! It would be such a valuable item for me to have for myself/my family and I’m sure I would also find it to be immeasurably helpful for me as a teacher with my Kindergarten classroom! I don’t always know how to navigate sensitive topics or conversations, so I’m eager to learn how to do. I just had a conversation with a friend at a coffee shop yesterday about this exact thing! I’m glad to see fabulous resources are available for adults and kids!
Lucretia Berry says
Krista!
Thank you for reading.
Hues of You makes a great addition to Week Zero of the school year. If you or your classroom teachers want to order in bulk, Main Street Books provides a bulk order discount. Main Street Books is listed as one of the retailers on the Hues of You website (brownicity.com/hue-of-you). Also, subscribe to Brownicity, where I will be adding more teaching tutorials for teachers and parents.
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Lotetta says
As always you are so wise in your thoughts and mindset. I come from a diverse family as well. My father was Welsh/English and my mother was from a Spanish/Mexican heritage. My brother being born in 1932 was exposed to a bias against people of differing race and/or nationality. We grew up in a small farming community where Hispanic people were farm workers and did not mix with anyone other than their family or co workers.
One day my brother and one of his many friends, after working and bucking bales for a local farmer, decided to spend some of their money and go to see a movie. The theater was devised into a section for whites and a section for Hispanics. My brother sat in the white section and the other kid said they should sit in the other. My brother said it was ok. The manager came over and told them they would have to move so they got up and the other kid sat in the other section while my brother sat in the aisle on the floor. The manager then asked him what he was doing. My brother replied, “well, I’m half and half so,”. The manger then in a very irritated voice told him to sit wherever and be quiet. We have always laughed at this story because it shows the complete insanity of how and why people do and think.
I’m so grateful that our creator loves all of our colors and is proud to be our father. We are not who others tell us we are. We are who God says we are. He calls us his beloved and we belong to the whosoever clan. Just read John 3:16 again and contemplate what it says. There is no distinction at all. It just says ‘whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Loretta says
Sorry my name is Loretta
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Loretta!
I love that your brother was able to respond with humor — and that humor diffused the situation!! History tells us that often times humane actions were met with violence.
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Loretta says
Amen!!! Fear is our enemy. But with God all things are possible. We must remember that with Christ we are a majority!!!
Maria says
So excited to hear about this!! We will be adding this to our Children’s library. My 7 year old is learning about history, and he is curious about different races and what he is considered, we remind him that everyone is made in God’s image. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and stories.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Maria!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Janet Williams says
Thank you Lucretia. I could feel your excitement as you shared with us, what your daughter shared with you, what her teacher talked about in class. l’d love the opportunity to share your book with my grandchildren. We have a wild bunch of blonde and blue eyes and Hawaiian brown skin and brown eyes. Our beautiful combined family are getting to the age that they notice they look different. Some look like Mom and Dad and gma and some look like papa. They look like friends in Hawaii but not like friends at school. They look like cousins in Ca, but not like cousins in Wash.
They already know God loves them, so to have their questions answered based on faith is a plus.
Thank you and Good luck with the release of your book
BLESSINGS \0/
Lucretia Berry says
Janet!!
You are my people!!! I love that you acknowledge the diversity of your various social contexts. As you know, it is so important that we know how to navigate each of them well.
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
P says
How exciting will this be for families, friends, neighbors – to get the conversation stated. Love it!
Lucretia Berry says
I agree!! My community has found our approach so helpful.
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Dee says
Look forward to reading her new book! I teach children and would like to help them embrace their own hue.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Dee!
Thank you for reading.
Hues of You makes a great addition to Week Zero of the school year. If you or any classroom teachers want to order in bulk, Main Street Books provides a bulk order discount. Main Street Books is listed as one of the retailers on the Hues of You website (brownicity.com/hue-of-you). Also, subscribe to Brownicity, where I will be adding more teaching tutorials for teachers and parents.
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
FANNETTA H GORE says
Lucretia,
I too have read and enjoyed ‘Hues of You’. I thank you for listening to and following God’s direction. The book is very informative- for all ages. This is a much needed tool in our society and in educating all mankind. I just ordered a copy for a niece (Faye) and I will be ordering more for gifting. May God continue to bless and keep you and your family with their various delicious hues.
PS- tell Loretta, I just love the term the ‘whosoever clan’. I am definitely a part of this clan. God bless.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Mom!
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Wendy R. says
Thank you so much for this! Much needed
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Wendy!
You’re welcome. I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Cynthia Fosbenner says
This activity book sounds great! My 7-year-old grandson is bi-racial. His father chose not to be in his life. His mom is now married to a wonderful man, and he now has a 2-year-old toe-headed little brother. My daughter does worry at times about how she will explain his heritage when he’s old enough to realize he’s not like his brother. I think this book would be a big help to her.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Cynthia!
Thank you for reading. I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
What does ‘toe-headed’ mean? Encourage your daughter to normalize diversity within humanity so that both boys know that belong! Please encourage her to subscribe to my organizations newsletter (Brownicity.com) so she can know when I am offering learning opportunities for parents and teachers.
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Kris says
A little child will lead… I love how you built on your daughters take home message… beautiful approach!!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Kris!
I agree!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Beth Williams says
Lucretia,
Your daughter’s teacher was brilliant in coming up with shades of brown to explain the various skin colors. It gave the children something to think about. Asking God to help us end racial diversity & learn to love each other as God’s unique creation. Praying your book does well. May it start conversations around tables & gets some confusion cleared up.
Blessings 🙂
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Beth!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
God did not create race/ism, man did. And we have to know who we really are and be confident in our understanding to be able to deconstruct how we’ve been racialized.
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Catherine Greene says
Thank you for bringing forth this message and giving voice to the beauty and worth of all creation. It is so empowering to have tools and language to have conversations that support peace and love.
Lucretia Berry says
Catherine!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Shannon S says
I wish this had been out when my children were younger! I would still love to get it because you handle the subject with compassion and knowledge and I feel even as an adult I can learn from it. Thank you for writing it!
Lucretia Berry says
Shannon,
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
T Nicole says
This is a beautiful way to explain to children how they are uniquely made by God.
Lucretia Berry says
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Amy says
We have just started your activity book as a family. Our youngest, who is adopted from Ethiopia, has struggled with her skin color being different from the rest of the family. BUT with your first activity, naming each of our skin color with positive, affirming names, she has taken such pride in picking hers as well as noticing our differences and helping each of us pick our names. It has been so enjoyable for our whole family. I can’t wait for all of us to continue to learn and grow to love just how God made us. Thank you!!
Lucretia Berry says
Amy,
THIS warms my heart!!! It’s so important that families — especially multi-ethnic families center belonging that transcends ethnic and racial distinctions. And we need to build the foundation before ‘racist’ things happen. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Tricia Hicks says
I wish this had existed when Elijah was younger! Thanks so much for writing it and for all the work you do!
Lucretia Berry says
Tricia!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Joanna Leonard says
I just received my copy in the mail!! The artwork is beautiful.
I especially like the “words to know” on pages 6 and 7 and explanations of our different skin colors.
We can do so much better than saying our skin is either red and yellow, black and white!
Let me see how many colors I can make with my crayon colors of the world!
Thank you.
Joanna Leonard
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Joanna!
On the Hues of You website, we offer a downloadable with over 100 names for brown hues! Go to Brownicity.com > Hues of You.
Thank you for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Deb says
I’m excited to use your beautiful book!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Deb!
Thank you purchasing and for reading.
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement!!
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB
Clara Burke says
I’m a “newbie” in terms of going beyond colorblindness. However, I love the way Lucretia talks about “Shades of Brown.” I know that we are all one human race, and I think of the way that God made so many individual flowers. No one is exactly the same as any other, yet there are so many beautiful varieties. God bless us all. I know I have made so many mistakes, and yet I do want to honor every person as some made by God.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Clara.
I appreciate your sentiment and I honor your learning journey!
Thank you for reading.
Let’s continue to lean in to our beautiful truth:
We are one humanity.
Shalom
LCB