Black Family, White Child: What's Wrong?
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Posted By: James A. Muhammad on November 27, 2007 November 27, 2007 I recently heard a very interesting story on NPR regarding transracial adoption. The story is about an African American family that has adopted a white girl in Baltimore, Maryland. They met their new daughter while serving as her foster parents. Blackadministrators.org cites a 1999 Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Report that states African American youth make up 78% of all children in foster care in Maryland. Of all youth 18 and under, African Americans are 32% of the population in Maryland. Some may wonder why an African American family of the middle-class would adopt a little white girl. With so many black children in need of adoption, some may wonder what is the matter with this family in Baltimore. I’m generally not one to share my opinion, but I firmly believe people should do whatever they want as long as it makes them happy and it’s legal. However, this boldness to do what we truly feel is right as humans instead of what is in the best interest of “our people” is an emerging issue in or community. The apparent issue in this story is the fact that the traditional racial boundaries and expectations that have existed in our community for generations no longer have the impact they once had on many individuals today. Who says African Americans must marry African Americans? Who says we can’t sing country music? Who says we have to agree with Al Sharpton? Who says my daughter can’t be a “little white girl?” Listen to the link below and tell me what this story means to you. Black Family, White Child: Another View on Transracial Adoption http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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James A. Muhammad
From Charleston, WV Stillman College class of 1992 Member Since June 2005 |
Comments
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Pretty interesting story from a different POV in the adoption industry. It seems to show from listening to the segment that it is potrayed as a taboo for an black american family to do something like this. What if it was an aisan child and what would be that reaction?
Thursday, December 6th 2007 at 2:50AM |
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I think any time that racial lines are crossed in adoption, there's going to be some level of controversy. First, because the child is growing up in a culture different then their own; secondly because some people would see the adoption as removing the opportunity for someone of their own race to find a loving home. I don't deny that there are many young Black children in need of stable homes... being from Baltimore and seeing many people involved in the custody system, it hits home for me. I don't have any hard feelings against this family - they acted out of genuine care and love for this child. Do you think that African-Americans need to be more involved in adoption, especially since a large majority of children in foster care and state custody are Black? Is there a cultural taboo against bringing in a child who's not related by blood? I think that other ethnic groups have faced this also, traditionally White families struggled for acceptance while adopting Asian children in the 70s and 80s, and Black children in more recent years. In many cases, the arrangements worked out positively for both parents and children. What will it take for Black couples to be more comfortable opening their doors to children who are in need, regardless of ethnicity? Thursday, December 6th 2007 at 4:23PM |
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Its amazing that I stumbled across this blog because I am a social worker in North Carolina who has had to put my personal feelings aside as it relates to adoption. We currently have a white family that has been a foster parent for us for some time. An African American child was placed in her home and now she wants to adopt her. My frustration arose when the foster mother visited the agency regarding having difficulty in doing the child's hair. I informed her that she should take the child to an African American hair stylist or find someone that could braid her hair as it was long and thick. Well, the foster mother decided to perm the hair of a not yet 2 year old. So you already know that her hair fell out. SHe has no edges, and her hair is no longer than my middle finger. I do believe that you should be able to do what you want,,,but I think that out children need to be placed with OUR people! SOmeone who has common sense enough to know that you dont perm a 2 year old African American childs hair. But,,,I'm just the worker,,supervisors only care that one more child comes off of the foster care list! How wonderful!
Friday, December 7th 2007 at 8:57AM |
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This is surprising to hear,but then not look at Brad Pitt's family, they went out of the country to adopt their daughter. I am speaking from the heart, there are so many African American babies in the system that is really sad. The red tape we must go through just to be a foster parent makes it even more difficult for a African American to adopt. I remember when I a child, my parents were looking into adopting a little boy I will never forget his name (David), my parents were denied. I mean what did it take my father was a Tool & Die Maker,and my mom was a nurse. My dad grew up in the sytem and just wanted to give back what he did not have. Not to mention that my dad has a handicap but he did not let that stop him from living a normal life with a wife and three kids. When will all the RED TAPE end for us to help our BABIES.
Saturday, December 8th 2007 at 9:59AM |
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