It's very sad. But, sometimes, no matter what society tells us, there is no healthier choice than to walk away from a damaging family dichotomy. I wish I'd done it sooner – before my son grew to hate them. What hurts me most now, is that in their bigotry against my half-Persian son, they taught him to hate.

I forgive them because I will not leave them power to make me hold that grudge. But, I will never let my kin close enough to hurt my family again.