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Okay.....again, coming here as a person not identified as AA; but having adopted children who are AA as well as Asian.....
I do believe it is 'seen' as more acceptable for white families to adopt transracially; however, I don't entirely buy the idea that it's simply because the 'supply' of seemingly white babies has dwindled, forcing couples to consider going transracially.
I DO believe the above statement might be part of the reason----and even most of the reason for some couples; but I don't think it applies to all.
You'd be shocked to see how many caseworkers are biased in placing transracially to ANY family...regardess of skin color. I'm sure that's no shock to some of you; but dh and I have seen this time and again.
Years ago, there were articles from the Chicago Tribune speaking to the over-population of black children in that area in foster care. Cases were noted of babies sleeping in office drawers, etc, because the system 'just couldn't find any homes to place them in'! While this was going on, there were families downstate who were wanting to have these babies in their homes, but of course, the system said, 'no'.
A friend of mine and I discussed this at length at the time and I encouraged her to call the Trib to ask to speak to the writers and eventually the director of DCFS, as well as the regional folks who proclaimed of the travesty.
Long story short: Only because she called and continued to call and speak to the 'powers that be', was she finally able to have placement of some of the children from 'up north'.....it was a big deal in trying to have them.
Later, she was able to adopt three children from the system that were multi-racial; and I believe her efforts had a lot to do with this.
However, it was the reluctance of the system----NOT the people who desired this, to have the children placed in homes.
Would it be better to place these children in black homes? Maybe. But the point is, I don't think the lack of AA homes is necessarily because of the population of white homes.
My older-of-the-thee-at-home-now (AA) had a birthmother who was presented at least one family (of the four or five) who involved AA adults. Yet, dh and I (seemingly CC) were chosen....NOT due to color, but because she liked the environment where the baby would grow up. Not sure that's wrong.
I get requests from people on these forums for my suggestion list of agencies. They are all ones that commonly place AA babies. I don't get paid; I wouldn't expect to; but I find that once people get their babies, they don't feel the need to help others out in finding their's----UNLESS they think they can get some $$ out of it! How ridiculous is that?
I know on the other thread, there are those who have posted links on adopting AA babies; but I've found many folks---regardless of color----just don't feel adoption is a priority---or even a consideration at all, to having children.
Sadly, many people adopt only because they feel 'forced to'...and that feeling of 'forced to' carries well into the raising of the baby into an adult. Regardless of color, there's a lot of damage in holding the idea that 'my genetic makeup HAS to be carried by someone in order for me to love them and for me to feel 'validated'.
Okay...that's a long post; I apologize. This kind of thing gets me to thinking and heaven knows, it's rare that anyone should even bring it up--which is why, I too, visit this forum daily and enjoy the readings. Seemingly CC or not, there is much to be learned to help my babies.
Sincerely,
Linny
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