flash fiction rainbow futures

A rainbow of opportunities

41 Replies

The classrooms of today are filled with children from a diversity of backgrounds and with a multiplicity of perspectives. The futures of those children are filled with opportunities that were unimaginable when I was a child and possibly even now. The world’s landscape — physical, political and social — is changing rapidly. Maybe we are not too far away from finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Could our ‘wealth’ be bound up in acceptance of our diversity?

Charli Mill's flash fiction challenge - Gender fluidity

When Charli Mills of the Carrot Ranch challenged writers this week to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about gender. It can be fixed or fluid. Explore the topic on your own terms and open your mind to possibilities and understanding. Go where the prompt leads! I thought I’d have a little play.

Rainbow futures

The children went around the circle telling what they’d be when they grew up: police officer, paramedic, teacher, doctor, prosecutor, influencer …

Laughter erupted when Rudii responded, “Mother.”

“You can’t be a mother,” taunted one.

“Can too.”

“But you don’t have, you know, boobies,” said another, glancing at the teacher.

“Dad said I can be anything I want,” retorted Rudii.

“But—”

The teacher shushed them and the circle continued, punctuated only by an occasional half-giggle or nudge.

A rainbow of opportunity awaits, Teacher smiled inwardly, contemplating the question he and his partner were processing: who would be Mom?

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41 thoughts on “A rainbow of opportunities”

  3. Pingback: Gender « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

  5. Jules

    While I am not really a fan of any particular celebrates I do think that some same gender couples that are famous and have children; like Elton John, Neil Patrick Harris and others are making the way easier for those pairs of pairs that wish to be parents.

    The names of partners and parents and the traditional roles they play are always changing. I think Team-mates might be a good option. I remember reading about one man who adopted four children on his own. Why should it be harder for partners of the same gender?

    Your post has several wonderful lessons, for children as well as adults. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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        1. Norah Post author

          I figured it out, Jules. I don’t think any of us would have trouble. Your meaning is clear. I am sometimes appalled, when I reread past comments, at the errors I’ve made. I try to be so careful and don’t like to make mistakes. I guess when we know what we’ve just written, it becomes more difficult to spot the ‘typos’. 🙂

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  12. robbiesinspiration

    You raise an interesting question here, Norah. I know some lovely gay male couples although my observations of female gay couples are not nearly as positive. I think my male friends would make great parents, not so sure about the ladies, their relationships seem more fraught with problems for some reason. This is just my experience, of course.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      That’s an interesting observation to share, Robbie. I haven’t observed the same, but my experience is limited. I think there are probably good and better parents amongst all groups of people.

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