White Parents Adopting Black Children

If parents adopt transracially they owe it to their child to keep them connected with their heritage.

As the transracially 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.

We are white parents adopting black children, trans racial adoption. We didn't go out and seek to adopt black children. We simply wanted to adopt siblings in need of a loving home. When we were chosen by the social worker of three black toddlers to be their parents, we spent some time soul searching. As white parents adopting black children, we are going to become a minority. Article: Family Resemblence Parents who adopt trans racially cannot ignore that they become a minority family, subject to criticism, odd remarks, and prejudice from people of all races. We are color blind, as is our extended family, but the reality is the rest of the world is not color blind. We realize that racism exists and we will have to examine the ways in which racism is perpetuated in our words and actions, both overtly and covertly. Our children absorb our ideas about race. New York Times: Overcoming Racial Barriers (media comments)

We know that our children (regardless of color) must be raised with a sense of self worth and individual pride that is instilled in them from the very beginning of our days as a family. Color shouldn't matter, yet in our society it still does. We want to rescue children (regardless of race) from a life of foster care to provide them the best life possible. Providing them love and an excellent education that includes culture, heritage and role models with their skin color. As one trans racially adopted black woman said, "Although love should be enough, love does not prepare an African American child for the society we live in. And love does not replace the importance of knowing your own ethnicity and culture."

This means that we, as parents, must stretch our own comfort zone, find other families that are not only of like mind - but like skin colors. Why? For the benefit of our child.

Organizations such as Interracial Pride, a Northern California support group for interracial families, as well as PACT have sprung up to help trans racially adopted children or children born of mixed marriages. Take some time to visit their sites. You have support!

Caring for you Black or Biracial Child's Hair

National Black Child Development Institute – www.nbcdi.org

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