Reaching Out – In Black and White

The Food was marvelous

As you all know, I love my meetup group and have a splendid time meeting women close to my own age but one thing was bothering me, and I didn’t really know how to address the issue. 

So far only white women showed up to our meetings. Beautiful black women and Mexican women signed up to join the meetup group but they never RSVP-ed, and never showed up at a meeting. I feared that the all “white” pictures of previous events might have sent the wrong message to them.

Now, more than ever before, do I want to make sure that my “Fabulous Women 50+” group will be diverse in color, as well as in beliefs.

I decided to ask a blogging friend, who happens to be a black man that many of you know as the “Militant Negro.” I knew, as charming as he can be, he would not sugarcoat anything. Sure enough, he told me, “Approach them, let them honestly know what you think.” Unfortunately, he didn’t provide me with the right wording.

I choose to be humorous in my writing style, while I tried to get my point across. I wrote an email to all 120 members, explained that I love our meetings, but that I dislike the fact that our meetings are just too light in color and rather PALE. I waited…and…nothing happened. Nobody emailed back.

Then, a few “new faces” RSVP-ed to our “Ladies night out” and I couldn’t help but smile.

On Friday, when I saw the first black woman coming toward me, I couldn’t help but had to hug her. We clicked instantly, and then another one showed up, and a Latino Lady joined us for the first time.

The new members were welcomed the same way we have welcomed everybody else, and they fit right in. Two tables full of joy, laughter and a shitload of menopausal sarcasm. It can’t get any better than that.

So, I am proud to announce that our meetings are now in “Black and White,” as they should be. Long live diversity!