At ColorLines, Terry Keleher writes about his efforts to become more consciously engaged with issues of race after adopting a black child. His white privilege has become visible to him now, he says, when he sees people react differently in the presence of his son. Keleher also provides tips on how to engage in these issues proactively, both as a parent and with other adults. (Keleher has a bit of a head start because he's an educator who leads trainings in racial justice.)
These are the pitfalls of interracial adoption in America. Many more black children are in need of homes and there are many more adoptive white parents than black ones, but few white Americans are primed to deal with issues of race because they usually don't have to think about and confront their own privilege. That's why Keleher extends his argument beyond families like his:
As the parent of a black child and member of a “conspicuous family,” race will always be a conscious part of our daily lives. But being conscious about racism shouldn't be limited to families of color or mixed-race families, just as being unconscious about racism shouldn't be a luxury for so many white families.
By all key indicators—economics, health, education, and more—the average white family fares better than the average family of color because of past and continuing bias. Yet, we downplay the disparities and dally with the delusion of a “colorblind” and “post-race” society. Racism won't disappear because of wishful thinking or blind magic. Replicating this denial in our homes and families only perpetuates the inequities.
You should read the whole thing.
-- Monica Potts
