Sunday, March 4, 2012
Cultural Genocide...
Yesterday when I was reading several articles about transracial adoption I kept seeing the term "cultural genocide". Basically what some social work professionals and psychologists are saying is that when a child of one cultural background is brought into another cultural background the parents of that child are killing that sense of identity. Personally I think that this is the most backward and old fashioned way to look at such a unique situation. Yes, do I think that there are going to be some blended differences as to what may have taken place in the birth parent home, as well as the idea that the child may have a more difficult time adjusting to their self identity. But looking at that would they not also be exposed to a huge variety of other cultures and points-of-view if the adoptive family feels the need for exposure? Will a child of adoption not have a much more difficult time to begin with trying to adjust to their feelings of self-identity? The answer yes, but I'd like to think that Mitch and I will be armed with the right tools to help put some of the differences in check. If a question were to arise, "Why am I different?", which at some point no doubt it will, we will be able to highlight the difference but then also talk about the many similarities that are present. Those of you that know me well enough know that I have always been unique in my own way, much as we all are, and I think that it will be a welcome challenge to bring to light all of the wonderful pieces we can put in the puzzle of self discovery. So I guess with my vent/rant I would like to tell all of those professionals who believe that transracial adoption is an irresponsible decision to look at the bigger picture, and realize that even though our skin may be the same color or our neighborhoods the same location, that does not mean it is in the best interest of a child. Love and understanding knows no specific culture.
Whew!
Ali
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Absolutely agree with you! You guys will no doubt provide a child with a sense of confidence and self worth that will overcome any "differences" professionals want to point out. The bigger focus should be that a child is getting the opportunity to succeed in life with an adopted family, whereas staying with the biological family they may not have that chance without a life of constant struggle to merely survive let alone succeed.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing the process and your feelings and thoughts with us, Ali. I'm so glad I can participate in a tiny way. Excitement! Any child will be blessed to have you and Mitch as parents!
ReplyDeleteTransracial adoption is the best situation for a worst-case scenario. Basically - there isn't enough miority families available for children of certain races (mainly black). For many reasons, but it still comes down to that fact. So it's either adopt a child out to a white family (or other race not of the child's) or not at all. In a "perfect" world there would be enough families where you could "match" races because, yes, that is a "best case" scenario. But it's not, and that doesn't mean we can't be dang good parents to a child not of our race. It means you have to research like hell, talk to people of that race, and go into it eyes WIDE open. The WORST is when white people adopt a child of a different race and think it's going to be the same. It isn't, there are differences, some minor, some major. You will be taxed on adopting a minority child in a white world and preparing them for it, prepare them for racism that you yourself never experienced. Transracial adoption isn't some horrible thing, we are great families and CAN RAISE healthy children. I personally think we transracial families are changing the world, and their perception one person at a time. Is it easy? Nope, but nothing worth it is. :) Sorry I blogged on your blog! LMAO!
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