http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_news/article/0,1426,MCA_437_2442045,00.html

Kids need parents, not black magic
By Wendi C. Thomas
Contact
November 20, 2003

Now would be as good a time as any for the National Association of Black Social
Workers to change its stance.

After all, it is National Adoption Month.

But they're sticking by an opinion that is as dumb now as it was when it was
issued 31 years ago.

The association doesn't want white families to adopt black children.

"Only a black family can transmit the emotional and sensitive subtleties of
perception and reaction essential for a black child's survival in a racist
society," the association's opinion says.

The NABSW has had time to change its mind but instead reaffirmed its position
against transracial adoption in 1977 and again in 1985.

By doing so, they further the notion that black life is inherently different
from white life.

If you follow their logic, it's as if in some mystical ceremony, black parents
hand each child a magical cloak with which to ward off the evil rays of racism.


Since white parents don't have that black magic, their adopted black children
have little hope of fighting off the dragons of prejudice.

"White parents of black children seek out special help with their parenting. .
.. . It is tantamount to having to be taught to do what comes naturally," the
position states.

As an example, the NABSW points to black hair care.

It's true, some white moms may have to learn to cornrow or use a hot comb.

But you can ask my mother; these are not skills black moms are born with.

And when did hair care become the hallmark of good parenting?

It's a safe bet that many black people have similar experiences with
discrimination and racism.

And it may be true that a white father can't teach his black son to be a black
man.

But when I look back on my upbringing, I can't remember being taught how to be
black.

I remember lessons on honesty, keeping your word, living a Christian life - and
dozens of lectures on cleaning my room - but none on being a black woman.

"Children need to be where their needs are being met, and clearly part of that
is around culture," says David Jordan, executive director of Agape Child and
Family Services. "It's our preference that children are with a similar culture
and race wherever possible."

The key is preference.

"But we're still pretty far away from being able to have enough families to do
same-race placement," says Michelle Miller, Agape's director of social
services.

One day, she dreams, there will be a waiting list of adoptive black families.

But until then, she says, "we want a child to be in a stable, loving home,
first and foremost."

That makes sense.

The NABSW's staunch opposition doesn't.

They remain "against the placement of black children in white homes for any
reason."

And apparently, for no reason at all.



-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown

On 20 Nov 2003 14:37:03 GMT, lilmtncbn@aol.comnospam (LilMtnCbn)
wrote:
http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_news/article/0,1426,MCA_437_2442045,00.htmlKids need parents, not black magicBy Wendi C. ThomasContactNovember 20, 2003Now would be as good a time as any for the National Association of Black SocialWorkers to change its stance.After all, it is National Adoption Month.But they're sticking by an opinion that is as dumb now as it was when it wasissued 31 years ago.The association doesn't want white families to adopt black children."Only a black family can transmit the emotional and sensitive subtleties ofperception and reaction essential for a black child's survival in a racistsociety," the association's opinion says.The NABSW has had time to change its mind but instead reaffirmed its positionagainst transracial adoption in 1977 and again in 1985.By doing so, they further the notion that black life is inherently differentfrom white life.If you follow their logic, it's as if in some mystical ceremony, black parentshand each child a magical cloak with which to ward off the evil rays of racism.Since white parents don't have that black magic, their adopted black childrenhave little hope of fighting off the dragons of prejudice."White parents of black children seek out special help with their parenting. .. . It is tantamount to having to be taught to do what comes naturally," theposition states.

I agree than white parents need help raising non-white children, or
rather the children need the involvement of people from their birth
community to help them fully develop their identity as a person o
colour.

However I think there may be a flip-side to prejudice. I recall
ringing our school principal and requesting a same-day meeting to
discuss the racist taunting my son had just experienced at school. I
said I wanted this to be taken seriously, even if it was an isolated
incident. She said it is unlikely to be isolated, even though she'd
not received any other complaints. She said sometimes when these
things are happening in the playground the last people to complain
about it are the migrant parents of non-white kids. If it is
happening to your son, it is happening to others too but they are
reluctant to kick up a fuss.

Some non-white parents may be brilliant at helping their children
learn coping strategies in a racist world, but maybe some were so
wounded by racism themselves that they are still fighting off their
own dragons.

Julia
As an example, the NABSW points to black hair care.It's true, some white moms may have to learn to cornrow or use a hot comb.But you can ask my mother; these are not skills black moms are born with.And when did hair care become the hallmark of good parenting?It's a safe bet that many black people have similar experiences withdiscrimination and racism.And it may be true that a white father can't teach his black son to be a blackman.But when I look back on my upbringing, I can't remember being taught how to beblack.I remember lessons on honesty, keeping your word, living a Christian life - anddozens of lectures on cleaning my room - but none on being a black woman."Children need to be where their needs are being met, and clearly part of thatis around culture," says David Jordan, executive director of Agape Child andFamily Services. "It's our preference that children are with a similar cultureand race wherever possible."The key is preference."But we're still pretty far away from being able to have enough families to dosame-race placement," says Michelle Miller, Agape's director of socialservices.One day, she dreams, there will be a waiting list of adoptive black families.But until then, she says, "we want a child to be in a stable, loving home,first and foremost."That makes sense.The NABSW's staunch opposition doesn't.They remain "against the placement of black children in white homes for anyreason."And apparently, for no reason at all.-------------------------A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend willbe sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"-----Unknown

"Julia" <jurol@nospam.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:hi5qrvo5fcqsialrghecn83onjia04d5bm@4ax.com... On 20 Nov 2003 14:37:03 GMT, lilmtncbn@aol.comnospam (LilMtnCbn) wrote:http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_news/article/0,1426,MCA_437_2442045,00.h
tmlKids need parents, not black magicBy Wendi C. ThomasContactNovember 20, 2003Now would be as good a time as any for the National Association of Black
SocialWorkers to change its stance.After all, it is National Adoption Month.But they're sticking by an opinion that is as dumb now as it was when it
wasissued 31 years ago.The association doesn't want white families to adopt black children."Only a black family can transmit the emotional and sensitive subtleties
ofperception and reaction essential for a black child's survival in a
racistsociety," the association's opinion says.The NABSW has had time to change its mind but instead reaffirmed its
positionagainst transracial adoption in 1977 and again in 1985.By doing so, they further the notion that black life is inherently
differentfrom white life.If you follow their logic, it's as if in some mystical ceremony, black
parentshand each child a magical cloak with which to ward off the evil rays of
racism.Since white parents don't have that black magic, their adopted black
childrenhave little hope of fighting off the dragons of prejudice."White parents of black children seek out special help with their
parenting. .. . It is tantamount to having to be taught to do what comes naturally,"
theposition states. I agree than white parents need help raising non-white children, or rather the children need the involvement of people from their birth community to help them fully develop their identity as a person o colour. However I think there may be a flip-side to prejudice. I recall ringing our school principal and requesting a same-day meeting to discuss the racist taunting my son had just experienced at school. I said I wanted this to be taken seriously, even if it was an isolated incident. She said it is unlikely to be isolated, even though she'd not received any other complaints. She said sometimes when these things are happening in the playground the last people to complain about it are the migrant parents of non-white kids. If it is happening to your son, it is happening to others too but they are reluctant to kick up a fuss. Some non-white parents may be brilliant at helping their children learn coping strategies in a racist world, but maybe some were so wounded by racism themselves that they are still fighting off their own dragons. JuliaAs an example, the NABSW points to black hair care.It's true, some white moms may have to learn to cornrow or use a hot
comb.But you can ask my mother; these are not skills black moms are born with.And when did hair care become the hallmark of good parenting?It's a safe bet that many black people have similar experiences withdiscrimination and racism.And it may be true that a white father can't teach his black son to be a
blackman.But when I look back on my upbringing, I can't remember being taught how
to beblack.I remember lessons on honesty, keeping your word, living a Christian
life - anddozens of lectures on cleaning my room - but none on being a black woman."Children need to be where their needs are being met, and clearly part of
thatis around culture," says David Jordan, executive director of Agape Child
andFamily Services. "It's our preference that children are with a similar
cultureand race wherever possible."The key is preference."But we're still pretty far away from being able to have enough families
to dosame-race placement," says Michelle Miller, Agape's director of socialservices.One day, she dreams, there will be a waiting list of adoptive black
families.But until then, she says, "we want a child to be in a stable, loving
home,first and foremost."That makes sense.The NABSW's staunch opposition doesn't.They remain "against the placement of black children in white homes for
anyreason."And apparently, for no reason at all.-------------------------A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend
willbe sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"-----Unknown

How much black ancestry makes a person officially black? Most "black"
Americans on TV seem to have a lot of white ancestry.They are not black like
Kenyans or Nigerians.

Is a person with only one black great-grandparent considered black or white?
What happens to such children of mixed race who are to be adopted? Do they
go to black or white families?

Does anyone know what the situation is in Britain, where there is now a
large mixed race population?

Geopelia

in article sL9vb.4281$VV6.108283@news.xtra.co.nz, geopelia at
phildoran@xtra.co.nz wrote on 20/11/03 8:49 pm:

<snip> How much black ancestry makes a person officially black? Most "black" Americans on TV seem to have a lot of white ancestry.They are not black like Kenyans or Nigerians. Is a person with only one black great-grandparent considered black or white? What happens to such children of mixed race who are to be adopted? Do they go to black or white families? Does anyone know what the situation is in Britain, where there is now a large mixed race population? Geopelia


There is no "British" situation, Scotland has a different legal and court
system from England and Wales and has its own adoption laws and practice on
adoption as does Northern Ireland.

See

http://www.doh.gov.uk/adoption/faq.htm#culture

See also

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/su/adoption/html/03.htm#para113

And the Adoption and Children Act 2002 will have made some changes which
will not yet be in force. See

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020038.htm

And particularly the guidance notes thereto

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/en/2002en38.htm

It is expected that "special guardianship" will be a more acceptable
arrangement than adoption for some ethnic groups. See para 18 & 19 Ibid



And for Scotland, where review of adoption is currently taking place.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w3/vd-06.htm


Robin

"Robin" <noviagr@forme.thanks> wrote in message
news:BBE2EC8C.28E95%noviagr@forme.thanks... in article sL9vb.4281$VV6.108283@news.xtra.co.nz, geopelia at phildoran@xtra.co.nz wrote on 20/11/03 8:49 pm: <snip> How much black ancestry makes a person officially black? Most "black" Americans on TV seem to have a lot of white ancestry.They are not black
like Kenyans or Nigerians. Is a person with only one black great-grandparent considered black or
white? What happens to such children of mixed race who are to be adopted? Do
they go to black or white families? Does anyone know what the situation is in Britain, where there is now a large mixed race population? Geopelia There is no "British" situation, Scotland has a different legal and court system from England and Wales and has its own adoption laws and practice
on adoption as does Northern Ireland. See http://www.doh.gov.uk/adoption/faq.htm#culture See also http://www.number-10.gov.uk/su/adoption/html/03.htm#para113 And the Adoption and Children Act 2002 will have made some changes which will not yet be in force. See http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020038.htm And particularly the guidance notes thereto http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/en/2002en38.htm It is expected that "special guardianship" will be a more acceptable arrangement than adoption for some ethnic groups. See para 18 & 19 Ibid And for Scotland, where review of adoption is currently taking place. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w3/vd-06.htm Robin Thanks, I'll look at those websites
Geopelia

"Robin" <noviagr@forme.thanks> wrote in message
news:BBE2EC8C.28E95%noviagr@forme.thanks... in article sL9vb.4281$VV6.108283@news.xtra.co.nz, geopelia at phildoran@xtra.co.nz wrote on 20/11/03 8:49 pm: <snip> How much black ancestry makes a person officially black? Most "black" Americans on TV seem to have a lot of white ancestry.They are not black
like Kenyans or Nigerians. Is a person with only one black great-grandparent considered black or
white? What happens to such children of mixed race who are to be adopted? Do
they go to black or white families? Does anyone know what the situation is in Britain, where there is now a large mixed race population? Geopelia There is no "British" situation, Scotland has a different legal and court system from England and Wales and has its own adoption laws and practice
on adoption as does Northern Ireland. See http://www.doh.gov.uk/adoption/faq.htm#culture See also http://www.number-10.gov.uk/su/adoption/html/03.htm#para113 And the Adoption and Children Act 2002 will have made some changes which will not yet be in force. See http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020038.htm And particularly the guidance notes thereto http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/en/2002en38.htm It is expected that "special guardianship" will be a more acceptable arrangement than adoption for some ethnic groups. See para 18 & 19 Ibid And for Scotland, where review of adoption is currently taking place. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w3/vd-06.htm Robin
Very informative. There seem to be so many rules and regulations for anyone
wanting to adopt, these days. I suppose it's the same in New Zealand now.
Very few children are available for adoption since the Domestic Purposes
Benefit enabled girls to keep their children if they wanted them.

Geopelia