Diversity does not mean 'Black', and Family does not mean 'Children'.

"The situation is a lot more nuanced than that."

A couple years ago, I was attending yet another diversity in entertainment panel, this one hosted by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a pioneer in the field of actually studying issues like why children's television shows have only 1 female character for every 2 male characters.

One of the panelists, veteran diversity executive Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i, stated that when addressing the lack of accurate representation on U.S. television, "Diversity does not mean 'Black.'" Meaning, you can't simply add a black character to an otherwise all-white show and declare your program "diverse." That's not how diversity works. Literally. It's insulting to black people, dismissive of all other forms of inclusion, and bad for your bottom line.

"Don't forget about us hapas of Indonesian descent!"

Similarly, when I say "family", or,  "If you want to build your family, put it on your Dream Board", I don't mean "put a baby on your Dream Board."







I mean, put the family you want on your Dream Board.

Yes, my first Dream Board included a baby. Multiple babies, in fact. My Dream Board also included a male partner But that is what I wanted for my life at the time.

This is about Your life.

If you don't want a baby, or children of any age, that is fine. Being childfree is okay with me. I support you, boo! (And I won't tell your parents.)

If you don't want a husband or wife or boyfriend or girlfriend or friends with benefits or no strings attached or just friends or some other mediocre Ashton Kutcher/Ryan Reynolds movie, that's fine, too.

"Our movie wasn't mediocre." 

If you say so, Omeletteville.

Building your Dream Board is about discovering and developing your expectations for your own life.

You get to construct the home and the family you want for yourself.

"I guess I could get excited about that."

Dreamers, have you put your home and family on your Dream Board? Have you already built the home and family you want for your life? Do you watch Home and Family on Hallmark Channel?

Share your home and family stories in the comments, or email me at iHaveADreamBoard@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading!