Transracial AdoptionThe term transracial adoption refers to the integration of racially different parents and children within a family unit. That's the dictionary definition, but a child will tell you it means that you don't match your mom or dad's skin color. My young elementary children talk about skin color all the time. Of my five little girls, four are bi racial. "Mommy, is Mimi light skinned or dark skinned?" Well, she's both. I guess some people never get over that need to categorize into one little box. Mimi's mom is Jamaican a glowing dark skinned lady with a large laugh. Her daddy is my color, closer to colorless on a spectrum of skin tone. This peite child has bouncy light brown curls and a tan skin complexion. She is Jamaican. She is Caucasian. Over the past few decades, the prevalence of transracial families has significantly increased, and along with them, polarized viewpoints on the benefits and costs of integrating families - usually White parents with non-White children. As the trans racially adoptive parents of African-American or biracial children, we strive to instill in them an understanding of their roots, as well as a sense of cultural identity and pride. That means we talk a lot of about color and beauty and about other people's perspective. We see ourselves as "fearfully and wonderfully made" creatures that were designed for a purpose: to glorify God in all that we say and do. Millions of children await for homes, stability and a parent's love. Yet thousands of individuals condemn and criticize parents of trans racial adoption. Controversially surrounds the idea that a parent of different melanin and cultural heritage are somehow unable to provide a home that will instill culture pride in their children. Unfortunately, there are no guidelines or checklists for parents to instill racial pride in a child who has been adopted trans racially. Transracially adoption, international adoption, interracial adoption the children do not have the advantage of learning about their birth culture through everyday cues and bits of knowledge, assimilated almost unconsciously over years, as in single-race families. So the responsibility that parents have to their different-race children can seem overwhelming. To fulfill that responsibility experts recommend: o interacting with people of your child's race - of all different professions o living in multicultural neighborhoods o finding same race mentors and role models for your child - a mentor, teacher, pastor o advocating for unbiased learning materials o confronting racism openly and not making excuses for those ignorant individuals who say something stupid o cooking and eating ethnic dishes o providing special maintenance to hair and skin o celebrating all cultures o taking part in homeland tours and culture camps o creating a positive cultural environment at home No blueprint or formula, however, can assure that a child will grow up feeling proud of his or her ethnic heritage. Making efforts to embrace various cultures and equal can assist a child to experience a fuller life than a child of a single race family. So what do we do in our family? Well a lot actually! We seek out color filled neighborhoods. Our neighbors have always been mixed races. We seek out colorful churches - we don't go to a white church or a black church but one that is multicultural. Our pastor is Hispanic. The children's teachers are Caucasian and Korean. Their friends are various colors with mixed colorful parents and grandparents. We are normal. We also celebrate various cultures. We attended the Latino festival at the fairgrounds and enjoyed the dancing so much that we are seeking classes for the girls to attend. We also take time to study successful black leaders, inventors and professionals in our school work. (And NOT just on one special month!)
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