This is a profound story, and although it is primarily about black people, it could well relate to other minorities and those often not considered 'worthy' in society. You've reached such a level of maturity that you must put them to shame.

Your feelings matter and that kind of disrespectful behaviour shouldn't be tolerated. I've had some similar situations with my adoptive family, in terms of their lack of respect for my feelings, derogatory comments about my birth origins and being told I was adopted because I was "unwanted", and I just block them completely out of my life. I can't deal with it anymore. I don't share Christmas with any family and go off and travel and meet new people.

If I was to look at this negatively, I could convince myself I am not 'wanted' but it's me not wanting them and ignorance, as that's what it boils down to.

I hope you have a peaceful happy Christmas this year, knowing how far you've come from the days when you had low self-esteem. Unfortunately, this allows us to think that we're to blame - but it's not true.