Here's a really good article from Newsweek about an African-American couple who have adopted a causasian daughter:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/194886?digg=1
I was really shocked at some of the things that are in the article, mostly about strangers being suspicious of Katie's parents because they are African-American and she is not. I have at times felt very "noticed" with Anya Rashi, but never felt like anyone was worried that I was kidnapping her or harming her.
The article says that the U.S. foster/adoption system does not require adoptive parents to do any sensitivity training when the parents are a different ethnicity than the child. Has anyone had any experience with this?
It made me appreciate Dillon's education requirements all the more -- they are so thorough and careful about trying to prepare adoptive parents.
5 comments:
Some friends of ours adopting from another agency mentioned this article to me recently. Unbelievable. I, too, am thankful for Dillon's persistence in taking care of us!
Sounds like it is not the adoptive parents who need the sensitivity training, but the rest of the world! This is something we deal with every day, being a walking spectacle everywhere we go. Most people are simply curious and are quite friendly, but I get the feeling that a few of the stares are in disapproval, both from "ethnic" peoples who don't approve of our situation, to "Americans" who think we should have adopted an "American" baby.
Thanks for the link to the article!
I have read a similar article before in Adoptive Families mag. Very interesting no doubt! :)
Here in KY we get "noticed" way more than in OH when people couldn't care less about us. It's hard, but I think it is so worth it. God creates families, and I'm so glad for the diversity!
I think what bothers me the most is that I get almost no "funny" looks when our whole family is together. . or even when Luke and I are alone. . but when I am alone with Emy I get very "funny" looks from people, especially elderly Caucasian people. (her skin tone is much darker than Luke)
I try not to take offense, and when people are genuinely curious (and kind), I will answer their questions. Mostly these are african-american people.
But, all in all, it doesn't matter to me.
Emy notices the difference in her skin color, though. She used to "wish" to be white like me. And, go figure, I want to be brown like her!
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