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			OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Transracial Adoption in America

Tell us what you think about OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Transracial Adoption in America.

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09/02/2008

I have not seen the film but I understand it is all about racial issue in an adoption issue. I am confronted however, with an issue no adoptive family seems to have encountered. Just after her 18 years, my adoptive daughter left home suddenly and all she gave for reason is that she's been too loved, protected, strictly educated AND that she's not of the same entity as us. Yet, I 'm of the same race as she is. Two years have passed, lots of psychological stress and pain would not move her to answer my call. I'm still trying to find the right solution with this experience to "save" her. Hope Phil reads this and maybe finds this aspect of adoption issue worth documenting. Jade

04/08/2008

Race is always going to be an issue for people who want it to be one. One piece of good news is that there are more bi-racial, multi-racial and trans-racially adopted people all the time. Change may be slow, but it does come and both acceptance and multiculturalism are on the rise. It is possible to raise children as citizens of the world and not as one race or another.

03/03/2008

Knowing Mr. Bertelsen\'s nephews family personally, it is unfortuante that Aline ended up marrying someone who belittles the children and has forced Kevin out of the home. Phil is now withdrawn and afraid of his step-father - what a shame that his mother did not protect her children more and is forcing them to live a facade with a horrific Latino step-father who cannot accept his own \"white\" hispanic looks, much less the obvious Black and Asian looks of his step-children.

11/19/2007

We are a white couple who has three bio children and have adopted three black children through foster care. In my opinion the cultural identity is second place to the other important needs which must be met before moving up to identifying with a race. Food, shelter,and security (love) must be obtained before moving to the need for self-esteem and recognition.
There are thousands of children who are in foster care and need homes....any color homes. The black culture has not stepped up to take these children and lots of other types of families have.
Yes, ideally it would be easier to be adopted by a black family. But what is more important, having a home with parents who would die for you or hanging out in foster care becoming more damaged by the day waiting for the black family to maybe show up? We work on raising moral and faithfilled children who as adults will recognize a need and step in to make the difference. We have given them all the tools to be successful in this world. If they choose to feel like victims as adults because they have missed out on their cultural identity, then it is their choice. The people who complain about transracial adoptions should get in the trenches with the rest of us who are trying to help the helpless.

11/11/2007

I don\'t believe that transracial adoption is like a \"meat market\". Unfortunately, adoptions of any sort cost money.....that in itself is a shame because there are so many children in need of loving families....and, families who desire to be parents.... Why can\'t we just look at the fact that these children are in need of loving families.....and in many cases fulfill the need of some childless person/couple to have a child.

My husband and I just adopted a beautiful baby girl, and yes she is black. I am of mexican descent, and my husband is caucasion. For years we tried to become parents. We were finally chosen by an african american woman. One would be surprized to learn that it was I who had reservations....not because I didn\'t want to adopt a \"black\" child, but because my fear was \"would we be hurting this child\'s identity?\" After much research, classes, and soul searching, I knew in my heart that race didn\'t matter; but it would be imperative to expose her to the black culture.....along with my culture and my husband\'s culture....in other words, multiculturism also known as \"American\" culture....the bottom line.......I can\'t find the words to share what joy she has brought to our lives.....and, only hope we can bring the same to hers.....

09/15/2006
Charles Rathmann
Milwaukee, Wis.

My wife and I are in the process of adopting a healthy, happy biracial infant. On the one hand, we know that racial status does not really matter, but on the other hand we know that much of society does not realize this. Nothing is more American than a family that combines ethnic backgrounds. Gone are the days when cities are divided by ethnic backgrounds -- with one or two notable exceptions, unfortunately. Were we adopting an Italian child, a Greek child -- a child from any number of backgrounds with strong cultural identities, this would not be as much of an issue. But the fact that particularly in Milwaukee races are separated geographically and economically -- this will present a challenge for us to surmount, and we will be looking for every method to do just that.

01/16/2006
CJ
Oklahoma

The show outside looking in, was an excellent glimpse into the lives of families of mixed races. I adopted my son at birth who is A/A and I am native american. He sees himself as chocolate and calls me caramel. It has been important from the beginning to be ready to address questions that would arise about adoption and ethenic backgrounds, but you really can't be totally prepared. Especially from what may occur outside the family. Your show did bring up topics and thoughts that will help me understand a portion of what may arise, as my son continues to grow. It was wonderful to see the well adjusted adults that successfully coped with the issues of adoption combined with ethenic differences within the family.

09/10/2005
Olivia
Alameda, CA

Phil, thank you for taking us through your discovery process and for teaching us the many important factors that are unintentionally overlooked in transracial adoption. Your family is almost identical to mine from the adoption, to your adopted parents perspective, down to the perspective of the biological sibling (which would be my role). You really captured every angle. Most importantly, through the efforts explored with your own nephew, you learned that although your plight may help answer some of your nephew's difficult questions, you found and admitted that there is a time and a place for those questions to be asked and answered. It was evident that by discovering that, it helped you understand your parents methods in raising you - and softened your frustration. I hope to adopt a black male in the near future, and your show could not have been aired in a more timely fashion, with the recent destruction by Hurricane Katrina.

03/04/2004
Kelly
Trenton, NJ

I just caught the last half of the program and was riveted by the little black baby in the adoption process. I identified with the mother, making the ultimate sacrifice to give her child to someone else, and also with the baby who didn't know what was happening at all. As a new mother, I was brought to tears imagining what they must have been feeling. I understand Phil's questions and his search for answers about himself as a young child. My own mother died when I was 3 years old and now, over 30 years, later, I still have questions. I am torn on the issue of transracial adoption. As an African-american woman, I know that love is necesary but NOT sufficient for raising a young A/A female grow up with a healthy sense of self in this American society. So I appreciate the efforts of adoption agencies to educate adoptive parents. I just wanted to thank Phil for sharing his experiences with us.

02/18/2004
Abby Olinick
Waltham, MA

My friend emailed me about this. I am a adopted black child raised in a white family since birth. It sounds very interesting and I would like to view the film but I don't know when it would be on. Abby

02/17/2004
Franklin
Waltham, MA

I just finished watching the film and all I can say is brilliant!!! I, like Phill was transracially adopted in the early '70's. I really wish that I knew of someone like Phill when I was growing up. I would love the chance to share my own experience growing up a black child in a white family in suburbia. I think that transracial adoption is so important to improving the understanding between different ethnic groups. I was so thrilled to read all the posts on this site, it lets me know that I am not alone. Thank you very much Phill!! Good job well done!!!

teresa a. smith
teresasmith29@yahoo.com
nitro west virginia

i am very interested in seeing this show but it says there are no viewing times for my state. i would like to obtain a copy of this if possible. thank you teresa smith

Mamo
Rdabusines@aol.com

I am interested in transracial adoption. This movie is not being broadcast in our area at the moment. Does anyone know when we might expect to see it. I have recently read two excellent books about transracial adoption: Loving Across the Color Line and Birth Marks. Anyone else have good resources?

CD Wyatt

Tipp City, Ohio

I had my eyes opened. I am a white woman married to a black man, and for some reason, I thought that would be enough to give my bi-racial adopted children all the black culture they need. I have engulfed my children in the white culture, and I am so sorry for it. Tomorrow is a new day, and my eyes have been opened. Pretty soon they will hear the word "nigger" and I have dreaded that, but in keeping them from it at a young age, I am throwing it at them at an adult age. They need to know that they are different, and it is a good thing. God made colors, and He made us all different for a reason. Thank you for this wonderful, deep program.

Carla
CLove117@aol.com
Cleveland, Ohio

I enjoyed the program over all because I think that it's really important that the parents learn about the childs ethnic heritage and background and not only that but how to take care of minority children. The part of the film I didn't like was when the adoption agent who was helping the one white family in Northern Illions said to the parents: Make sure you get some vasaline and put it on him (the baby) because they get this kinda gray color they call ashy. I found that very offensive being a black person. She could have worded that better by saying that our skin tends to be dryer so lotion needs to be applied more often. Anything would have been better than saying "what they call ashy".

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