[pgecco]

We have been looking inot adopting a sibling group of AA/white children. Some of our family members are the type of racists who think they aren't. You know the ones who mention the alternative race of anyone they are discussing... "I saw this little black kid...." "This friend of mine at work who's black...." Like you can't just say this guy at work or this kid down the street. I try to exclain to them what I call "racist habits" are but it only offends them that I would imply they are racist. I am concerned that this may make our home an inapproprite one for transracial adoption. PS. My bio daughter is hispanic/white. No comments are ever made to my knowledge about that. Suggestions/comments?

[spaypets]

The best you can do is model good behavior in front of your child by saying such things like "I'm sorry, I'm confused, how does the fact he's black factor into this story?" Or "And what race were the other people?" That way you're sending the message to your children that such speech isn't appropriate (and maybe you'll raise the conciousness of your family members too!).

[beckymiller75]

We have a foster son who is white/AA. My MIL took one look at him and said, "What is he -- a half-breed or somthing?" I wanted to say, no he's a WHOLE person, but my DH calmly put him hand on my knee and said, "yes. he's mixed." Good thing we live in NC and she lives in OH!