[sneezyone]

Correct me if I'm wrong Red, but it seems like you're saying the risk of racial identity challenges is on par with all the other potential risks of growing up/childrearing.

Whereas I'm saying that I think the risk is more significant than that and can perhaps exacerbate those other risks. I have experienced some racial identity issues for myself (as well as some of the other risks you mentioned) and I didn't find them to be comparable. Again, I'm not saying that identity challenges are a foregone conclusion or that they can't be overcome - I just believe that all risks should be minimized (to whatever extent possible) and same race placements are one way to do that.

I guess I'm a little surprised that there's even much controversy about it. I'm okay with being dd's second best option for a mom (next to her original one). Isn't this the same concept?

We recognize that camp counselors mentoring younger kids bring with them a certain level of credibility that parents don't have - isn't it possible that a same-race parent might carry more weight with a minority child than a cc parent who lacks the same cultural experiences - all other things being equal?

Why is it so threatening to suggest that a Spanish-speaking Guatemalan-American household might be better for a Guatemalan child than an English only one, or that a Pidgin-speaking Hawaiian family might be best for a Hawaiian child , or that a bi-racial family might be best for a bi-racial child - all other things being equal?

The best interests of the child don't just include financial resources or academic background or neighborhood quality. The ability to relate from personal experience is just as valuable.