[Rydenzmom]

My husband and I are starting the adoption process for an AA or bi-racial domestic infant for our second child. We have a 2 year old bio-son. We just read an interesting article on CNN regarding if whites need more training before adoption of black children. I do believe that it is important to realize that there is still racism in our country and people will challenge our decision to adopt "outside of our race." But I want to start the education process so we can begin to figure out the most healthy way for our family to react to these issues. What books have been helpful to those of you out there?

[rredhead]

Many agencies will give you a recommended reading list. I personally recommend I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla, by Marguerite Wright. Others have recommended Inside Transracial Adoption, and Does Anybody Else Look Like Me?.

Some Links
The National Adoption Center has reading lists: Portal Content Area Builder
Adoptive Families magazine:
Cultural Resources - African American Heritage - Adoptive Families
Transracial Adoption Resources:
Transracial Adoption Resources
There are many blogs, including Anti-Racist Parent (Gratuitous cute kid pic! at Anti-Racist Parent - for parents committed to raising children with an anti-racist outlook.

I hope this helps!

[Utka71]

That is the book that our agency has on the 'required reading' list for Caucasian couples seeking to adopt an AA or Biracial child. At first I was put off by the introduction because it was long, tedious, and seemed to really emphasize what the Assoc of Black Social Workers stated in the early 70's about the wrong-ness of whites adopting AA or mixed-race children. However, once past that the book is strictly interviews with people who are either black or biracial who were adopted by white families. They talk about their experiences, how they feel about the type of families they were adopted into, what they wish would have been done differently, etc. It was eye-opening and a very good read. I feel a lot more confident going into our transracial adoption after having read it.

[loveajax]

Thank you, Robyn and Utka. I have never heard of "In Their Own Voices." I am definitely going to order that book! I tend to like to read/learn better from "real life accounts" so I may have to skip the first part!

[meshsgrl]

has anyone read the book Black Baby White Hands?
I am a foster/adopt parent and honestly need to be educated about transracial adoptions.
I want my kids to be proud of their heritage.

[rredhead]

Originally Posted by meshsgrl

has anyone read the book Black Baby White Hands?
I am a foster/adopt parent and honestly need to be educated about transracial adoptions.
I want my kids to be proud of their heritage.

I read it, as did my husband. He thought it was a worthwhile read, and used it as an excuse to buy several CDs of black musicians and comedians. (Me: Somehow, I don't think the baby will be listening to Richard Pryor, Max. DH: I'm investing in his Future.)
I'd borrow it from the library, but I wouldn't buy it. It's not well written or well edited. It carries on and on. The poetry he writes is lovely, so it might be worth a read for that.