Is it really black and white ?Should race be a factor in adoption?
read comments below; Editor's note: Lola Jaye, a native Londoner, is the author of three fiction books and one non-fiction. Jaye has also written for The Huffington Post and her novels have been published in various other languages, including Korean, German and Serbian. Her latest novel "Being Lara," is about a young woman searching to connect with her Nigerian roots after she's adopted by a British popstar.
– The news that Charlize Theron adopted an African American baby has fired up a debate regularly stoked by the likes of A-listers Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock. All have adopted transracially. And everyone has an opinion.
In the United States in 2010, black children left the care system at a rate of 24 percent, while white children left at a rate of 43 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the UK, where I live, a black child is three times less likely to be adopted from care than a white child. And until recently, UK guidelines on adoption have made it difficult to adopt between races.
But the policy is changing after Michael Gove, the UK's Education Secretary said it was "outrageous" to deny a child the chance of adoption because "of a misguided belief that race is more important than any other factor." In the UK, a black child is three times less likely to be adopted from care than a white child.
Indeed, the American 1994 Multi-Ethnic Placement Act "affirms the prohibition against delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or foster care on the basis of race, color or national origin of the foster or adoptive parents or of the child involved."
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/22/...
– The news that Charlize Theron adopted an African American baby has fired up a debate regularly stoked by the likes of A-listers Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock. All have adopted transracially. And everyone has an opinion.
In the United States in 2010, black children left the care system at a rate of 24 percent, while white children left at a rate of 43 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In the UK, where I live, a black child is three times less likely to be adopted from care than a white child. And until recently, UK guidelines on adoption have made it difficult to adopt between races.
But the policy is changing after Michael Gove, the UK's Education Secretary said it was "outrageous" to deny a child the chance of adoption because "of a misguided belief that race is more important than any other factor." In the UK, a black child is three times less likely to be adopted from care than a white child.
Indeed, the American 1994 Multi-Ethnic Placement Act "affirms the prohibition against delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or foster care on the basis of race, color or national origin of the foster or adoptive parents or of the child involved."
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/22/...
soundoff (15 Responses)
jan
Our son & Dtr-in-law (white) adopted twins-a girl & boy from Ethiopia-We love them dearly. Another Dtr-in-law is part Cherokee; our son-in-law is French. SO our family is officially PLAID. Our 3 grown children are devoted spouses & amazing parents. They didn't get that way by our being closed minded. Racism is a choice-in our family it is NOT negotiable.
March 27, 2012 at 1:46 am | Report abuse | Reply
Moncada
I'm Hispanic and I had always wanted a brother. If I adopted a black haired, dark brown eyed baby there would be no problem, if I adopted a blond, blue eyed baby there is no problem since those features run in my family too. Maybe I would have adopted a black baby.
March 26, 2012 at 6:57 pm | Report abuse | Reply
Lizzy-Lou
I am a Hispanic Adopted child by a Caucasian Family... They have been the best to me and I am greatful to them for letting me be part of their world.
I agree with Fredajlo... racism is a learned behavior and if people keep believing the way Wizard does sociaty will never change. Instead of goin forward we will steping back.
March 26, 2012 at 1:49 pm | Report abuse | Reply