A blog post this morning, and recent events involving what I call police brutality on black men, had me wondering about a recent'ish' (last year) debate on adoption. In short, the debate was that it doesn't matter the 'racial' background of the parents, or child, as what's important is that a loving home is found.
Okay.
It is true, a loving home is what is important.
However..
The debate focused on the fact that 'black' children are often having to wait longer in 'care', and unfortunately, are less likely to be adopted unlike white children, who they (the authorities) find 'easier to place'.
There was also a heated TV debate in which a black man who was raised by white parents was adamant that it doesn't matter.
That said, what do you think?
and...why would white parents adopt a black child?
Would it ( 'racial background' ) be more of a concern if it were black parents adopting a white child?. ( Knowing that black people often have to deal with subtle and not so subtle racism, - which could also have an economic impact - would it deny the white child easy access to white privilege?.. disadvantage them by proxy ;) ..) or... would it not matter at all?
How do white parents explain racism?. How would they feel about, and explain, recent incidents of black men dying as a result of excessive force used by police, whether through 'restraint', or the gun.
Is it not important therefore, that white parents adopting black children have a grasp on these issues, and do not try to pretend they do not exist?. Would it not be more harmful to whitewash over cultural or ethnic differences?
I would hope that white parents who adopt black children are aniti racists, have an understanding of how white supremacy operates in today's society, and have a grasp on the ways in which racism and racist thought practice and attitudes, collude and conspire to make it a cultural norm. I would also hope that they not only understand it, but condemn it.
.. that said... in my opinion, that applies to black parents also.
Black parents should not be afraid to speak the truth about what they know. Feigning ignorance about white supremacy, is not bliss..
When we were going through the adoption process we made it clear we didn't care about the babies gender or colour, but the social workers made it clear that we wouldn't be placed with a black child. Now was that racist by them? We had both black and white social workers.
ReplyDeleteI really hoped this white supremacy shit didn't exist anymore, it sickens me.
Oddly.. I wonder If they said that to 'reassure' you?..
ReplyDeleteI would have asked them why.. but then they may have just said.. why?.. do you want a black child?.. etc etc
I wouldn't have said it was racist of them, but it could have been a response to racist beliefs
I think its useful for people to know and see that WS doesn't necessarily look the way it used to... that it doesnt walk around white a white sheet with holes for eyes so to speak. as when some hear white supremacy that may be the image they have.
it looks.. for want of a better word 'normal'..
and that's a core problem
The problem was, we so keen to adopt we didn't want to rock the boat. If we'd been in a position where they weren't the people that would decide if we'd have a child or not, I would have made more of a thing of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's just unbelievable to me that racism exists at all, that's what I meant, in any shape or form. But I understand what you are saying.
You were right not to rock the boat actually. I suspect it can be tough enough a process!
ReplyDeleteYou know Joe..I have every confidence that things will change and improve. don't know why . I just believe it will. Just may take more work