[nickchris]

So sorry that your dd was traumatized. The lady was rude, and you need to prepare a reply for the next time that occur. Our children self esteem is very important. Just because she was black does not make her right period. Like any other race as you said there is good and bad. I hope your children will feel better about themselves over time. As a black person, I find that parenting black children in this society is hard period. I hope your children will feel better about themselves over time. I find that it is very challenging with my own sons who are in a predominantly cc environment, and work hard to keep their self esteem up all the time, and not internalize the negativities. My son went through one such traumatizing experience, and I did mucho damage control, now he says he is beautiful all the time. lol
If you have not, I suggest that you expose them to blacks, and others who have more positive inputs. Remain calm during (and after) the interaction. Help your child to work not just in her self- esteem, but the general knowledge that there are folks who are just not nice. I do not get all deep into racism with my younger children, but I let them know that in general, folks will say mean things, and that it is really their issue and problem. Now my son says this one or that one has issues. lol
Adoption in general will make folks stand out, especially when it is transracial, and at times we need to educate. Other times we just need to protect our children.
Now Linny:
"What surprises me the most, is that younger AA women/men accept our family more readily, than the very few older women who wouldn't even consider adoption in the first place! (Again....go figure!)"
End of quote.
I have to interject here. It is interesting your comments, and basing it on on age levels, is very interesting. Because blacks in general has had no reason but to accept all types of children (blood relative or not) combinations over many many years, due to variances in history,and life circumstances in general. In addition adoption prior to its formality was no biggie in our history as well, since children were just taken in because their parent was dead, or in dire straights.
Really a great topic to discuss, I do think that educating about *formal* adoption more so the private route, is needed for the AA community, We need more agencies, and input from the community to spread the word. However, adoption is not foreign to us.