On Saturday, November 6, prominent transracial adoption authors Rhonda Roorda ("In Their Own Voices," "In Their Parents' Voices," and "In Their Siblings' Voices"), Ola Zuri ("Why Can't You Look Like Me?" and "Where Do I Belong?"), and Kevin Hofmann ("Growing Up Black in White") came together in Toledo to host a thought-provoking and important discussion panel on transracial adoption.
The panel, which took place at My Brother's Place, was held in honor of Adoption Awareness Month and to raise money for the Ohio-based non-profit Adopt America Network.
The afternoon began with introductions from all three authors. Mr. Hofmann kicked off the discussion by giving a brief description of his experience as a biracial male growing up in a white family in Detroit not long after the riot. Ms. Zuri told of her journey as a transracial adoptee who lacked the support and cultural connection she needed from her adoptive family to feel like she belonged. Ms. Roorda, whose husband moderated the discussion, talked about growing up in a white family with wonderful African American role models who were instrumental to her self-discovery.
After the initial introductions, audience members took turns asking questions on a variety of issues such as:
- Should there be transracial adoption?
- Does middle-class status trump race?
- Do children's individual personalities shape how children experience growing up in a family of a different race?
- How do parents handle their children's concerns that they are being treated differently because of their race?
- How does living in a predominantly white neighborhood affect children of color adopted into white families? What can parents do?
- What role does a child's school play in helping them develop a cultural identity?
The authors answered each question honestly, thoughtfully and thoroughly. Some highlights of the discussion included Ms. Roorda's perspective that "transracial adoption is a gift -- but a lot of work." She explained that transracial adoption gives families the unique and humbling opportunity to become better people, to look beyond stereotypes, and to collaborate with people of different cultural backgrounds.
Mr. Hofmann stressed how important it was for transracial adoptive parents to let their children know they support and understand their feelings about being treated differently due to their race by engaging in ongoing conversations about adoption and race. He likened talking about race with transracial adoptees to having the "sex talk" with your children -- "if you don't define it, someone else will."
Ms. Zuri shared her insight about how race is the first thing people notice -- regardless of socioeconomic status. People's initial impressions of transracial adoptees will be based on their race, and prejudice still exists today. All of the authors emphasized how imperative it is for transracial adoptive parents to let their children know they "get this" so that their children don't grow up keeping their feelings inside.
The panel discussion ran about two hours, and afterwards the authors signed books and chatted with audience members. In the end, the panel had a great turn out, offered indispensable advice for transracial adoptive parents, and served as a great networking tool for the transracial adoptive community.
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