Check out this article in today’s Oregonian about adoptees, race, and identitity: . The Newest Young Jews
“Adoptees from other lands, many from China, add a layer onto what it means to ‘look Jewish’ in America”
Annette Baran co-authored The Adoption Triangle which was the first book to advocate opening sealed records. In these series of interviews she talks about the evolution of her work in adoption agencies, the history of closed records, and search and reunion.
Annette Baran Part One
“…Ultimately there is no perfect family. Every family has flaws and struggles. These are the things that make it wholly unique, good and bad…” –Meg
“It’s a little more complicated when you don’t see the people you disagree with as villains. Then you have to try to figure out why the people who created the “adoption closet” believed very deeply that it was absolutely the best thing for adoption and for adopted children.” –Ellen Herman
“…Can you imagine being one of three “brown” people in the first eighteen years of your life?” –Lilly
“During the past three decades, more stories have described more adoptions more openly than in the past, but they have done so with more ambivalence.” –Ellen Herman
The voices above are from the first installment of our dialogue and interview series. Adoption Mosaic is committed to bringing you voices from the adoption constellation through dialogues and first person stories, and interviews with writers, filmmakers, historians, psychologists, and other adoption professionals. These are different viewpoints that are not usually represented in one place, but Adoption Mosaic believes that hearing these different voices is vital.
We want to hear your voice, too.
“Only a tiny minority of children and families are touched by adoption, but as a symbol of identity and belonging, adoption speaks to us all.”
-Ellen Herman, The Adoption History Project
A quote can become a talisman. Other times, a quote can feel like a splinter under your skin. Ever since stumbling on The Adoption History Project, a website by adoption historian Ellen Herman, the quote above has felt like both for me.
If we take a look at myths, fairytales, and even religious belief from different cultures and time periods, we find adoption stories. In 2007, at least five adoption-themed movies were released in the U.S. Why are people still interested in these stories? The story of adoption speaks to human beings about struggles with identity and belonging that we have always faced—and likely always will. Herman’s quote reminds me that though the adoptive experience is still not considered a norm by society, adoption stories have surrounded us throughout the ages. Read the rest of this entry »