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I would agree with what has been posted already. My husband and I 'appear' caucasian (I say this because who knows all of their generations and frankly, I enjoy being the 'Heinz 57".)
At any rate, we have adopted children of another 'race' and culture. Our first child was born in Korea, our second in Japan, our youngest now is AA.
It is important (to a point) how your family will deal with this; however, I do not think their thoughts and values should be extremely important-----AS LONG as you have some sort of family support somewhere.
It seems that as this society claims to become more enlightened, it really seems to become more segregated. The two children I have mentioned first, above, are now grown. They do not feel that they are from another culture or country.....but their comments are 'We are American!'.
I would greatly encourage you to watch the tape (show) that Barbara Walters did a year ago called, "Born in My Heart". Transracial and international adoption is discussed quite a bit and the words come from the grown adoptees themselves. Much different from some of the 'politically correct' junk some claim these days.
In raising a child different (in some ways....) from yourself, you both will have to allow stupid comments from ignorant people 'slide off your back', and realize that those same comments might come whether your child had different pigmentation, or something else 'noticeable' from you. BUT......some people will ask questions simply to 'learn', I think. I have learned to be more open about our family in adoption and believe that some people might never ever know 'facts from fantasy' if I don't politely explain sometimes. (After awhile, I think I can tell the 'jerks' from the 'innocently curious and thoughtful'.)
I could go on more, but I think you should not only pray, but check in your heart. We did not want, nor would we adopt a caucasian baby for many reasons (we're waiting for another baby now). Once you are a 'transracial family'.....you will always be a 'transracial family'. It is a permanent change, and one I prefer. Raising a baby is still 'raising a baby'. The skin color may be different, special considerations of hair and skin; certain characteristics will become a part of your family that were not there before-----but you will be a family. How this is viewed with your eyes....will be determined by how this is viewed from your hearts.
Please feel free to private message me if I can be of any help.
Sincerely,
"Linny"
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