[mommy_105]

What do you do to help keep your child(rens) culture alive?
I'm just curious to learn from others what works for you?
Melissa

[bethy724]

We got books from the library about Kawanza & 3 kings (he is aa & mexican) we also got a book on the Jewish holiday I can't spell. (ha,ha)
No matter what his skin color is I want his to be aware of & respect all cultures. I am also signing him up for African dance class & we are going ot the African childrens choir. He's also taking golf lessons. If her were white I think I'd do the same things.

[leatherette]

We are doing our best to ensure that our daughter has as many relationships as possible with other AA/African people, adults and kids. She is only 4 now, but we plan to take her to many more AA cultural events and classes, etc. We buy books with AA heroines.

I also spend a lot of time educating myself about AA culture/history/issues, so that I can be a resource to her.

L.

[missw005]

I have AA art displayed in our home. I buy AA dolls, toys, books, puzzles, etc. When the boys were little, they loved the Little Bill cartoon series (we have them on tape) and we have many Little Bill books, dolls, etc.
I run our local adoption group, and about half of our families are transracial. We do fun things with them throughout the year. Our daycare has other kids of color as well.
We also belong to Harambee (Harambee Village at NACAC ), a group specifically for transracial families (foster or adopted) - and it's fantastic!!! Not only because it's for transracial families, but also because many of the kids have special needs like my boys do, so their issues/behaviors aren't drastically different than the other kids. They do a lot of fun things, plus support groups, drumming, dance, family camp, playgroups, a conference......it's really phenomenal.
(if you live in or near MN, join us!!!)

Sadly, there are too many families out there who do nothing - and believe that treating their AA child "just like the other kids" is good enough. (shaking head) Sad, sad, sad. There are two families in our local adoption group who are like that - and it is SO wrong for their children. They don't do anything to connect their AA kids to their culture - no AA toys, books, art, let alone cultural activites - and don't get me started on their hair!!!!!

Anyway, I applaud you all for doing everything you can for your kids.

Sandy

[BethanyB]

missw, I just checked out the Harambee site and it is amazing. I really wish we had something like that in NJ. This is what I think ALL states need to do! It is so important that people who adopt transracially know that race does matter. I love that they have a conference called that. It matters when your child is growing up in a family who looks nothing like them. Add to that that they are growing up in a very racist world where people can be very cruel. It is so important that AA children gain the self esteem and self respect that they need to be able to tackle anything that comes their way.

So when someone says Race Matters, it does not mean they are against transracial adoption but that we cannot be blind to society and think that we can raise these kids without effort dedicated to their race, their culture or their history. Ignoring color altogether is the worse thing you can do.

You are lucky to have such a great program!

[vernellinnj]

Hi Bethany - I'm in central Jersey. I am a member of a great Harambee support group that meets in Philadelphia (meets once a month). There are others on these boards who are members of the Philly group.

Let me know if you want information - send me a PM.