In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption

by Rhonda M. Roorda

While many proponents of transracial adoption claim that American society is increasingly becoming "color-blind," a growing body of research reveals that for transracial adoptees of all backgrounds, racial identity does matter. Rhonda M. Roorda elaborates significantly on that finding, specifically studying the effects of the adoption of black and biracial children by white parents. She incorporates diverse perspectives on transracial adoption by concerned black Americans of various ages, including those who lived through Jim Crow and the Civil Rights era. All her interviewees have been involved either personally or professionally in the lives of transracial adoptees, and they offer strategies for navigating systemic racial inequalities while affirming the importance of black communities in the lives of transracial adoptive families.

In Their Voices is for parents, child-welfare providers, social workers, psychologists, educators, therapists, and adoptees from all backgrounds who seek clarity about this phenomenon. The author examines how social attitudes and federal policies concerning transracial adoption have changed over the last several decades. She also includes suggestions on how to revise transracial adoption policy to better reflect the needs of transracial adoptive families.

Perhaps most important, In Their Voices is packed with advice for parents who are invested in nurturing a positive self-image in their adopted children of color and the crucial perspectives those parents should consider when raising their children. It offers adoptees of color encouragement in overcoming discrimination and explains why a "race-neutral" environment, maintained by so many white parents, is not ideal for adoptees or their families.

Genres: Adoption, Nonfiction, Parenting, Race, Fostering, Anti Racist

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2015

Reviews

[Yuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great variety in the interviews. I'm not in complete agreement with all of them, but I think that makes this a great collection--there should be something that resonates and is accessible for everyone. Some of the people interviewed are very frank about their experiences and what they think people considering (or already have) transracial adoption should do--and I appreciate that sincerity so much.

Love isn't enough without the work.

[Lauren Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read quite a few adoption books but I think this has been my favorite so far. The author emphasizes the importance of not taking a “color blind” mentality in transracial adoptive families- but says that love and* race matter in their upbringing. I loved that it gave transracial adoptive families tangible steps in order to move forward in making connections w the black community. Some interviews were better than others. But still worth the read.

[Sam Ogren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for white parents of black children. Lots of good eye-opening food for thought here. Rhonda Roorda is herself a trans-racial adoptee, and speaks from personal experience.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtfully compiled interviews that show a lot of compassion for prospective or current adoptive families without pulling any punches.

[MayFlour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voices that need to be heard! Narratives to be grappled with. Not all the contributors have the same opinion, so listen to all the stories. If you are avoiding this book because you are concerned it might make you uncomfortable, you are right it will and not reading this book would be harmful to any TRA you know.

[Heidi | Paper Safari Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a straight forward and very eye opening book for white families adopting black or bi-racial children. With a lot of adoption history as well as civil rights history there are interviews with prominant figures that speak on helping trans-racially adopted children learn about their roots, learn what it means to come from whatever rich culture they are from. Its about helping white families empower their children of color without sugar coating the realities, its about teaching parents how to help their children of color grow up in a still very racist society. While some of the content of this book might be very in your face, its needed to break through the barriers of many white parents who take on a color blind approach to parenting. The world isn't color blind so adopting transracially often means getting out of your comfort zone for the sake of your children.

This book also provides a wake up call to agencies and those who place children for adoption to educate families and really find the appropriate families to raise children of color. Not all families are cut out for the job, it's not always comfortable, its not always easy but the rewards are worth it when you raise a confident child who has a sense of cultural identity. Straddling two worlds can be complicated as Ms. Roorda can attest to as a woman of color raised by white parents. This is not a book bashing trans-racial adoption in fact she supports it but also encourages families to step up and look at the hard questions in deciding if trans-racial adoption is the right fit for thier family and encourages agencies to take step out of their comfort zones and really teach families about what trans-racial adoption really entails.

[Laura LeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband purchased this book for me as a gift for Christmas about a year and a half after our son was born and placed in our home shortly thereafter. We are a transracial family. While it is difficult to read at times, due to the horrible experiences of some of the interviewees, it is imperative that white parents of black children read this book. We can't simply keep ourselves in a bubble believing that racism no longer exists or that our children won't experience prejudices or other negative ideas towards them. We must be prepared so that we can prepare our children. The experiences presented in this book, in the form of interviews with the author, are invaluable to all transracial adoptive families, most especially those that are parenting black children.

Roorda is the author of several other books along with her co-author Simon on the same topic of transracial adoption. I look forward to reading these books, from the perspective of the white adoptive parents, the adoptees themselves, and their non-adopted siblings. They will be invaluable resources as we parent our son.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the hardest things I've had to do as a white parent to my adopted black daughters is to explain racism and the many ways they are likely to experience it in their lives. This is an ongoing conversation and I accept that, as a white parent, I am not fully qualified to shepherd my daughters as well as if I were a black parent. The onus is on me to educate myself, to learn from individuals in the black community about how best to prepare my daughters as they transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood and as the ways the world sees and treats them changes. This book has been very helpful in teaching and reminding me of the imperative to be proactive, engaged and humble as a transracial adoptive parent. Highly recommended for white adoptive parents with black children.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped me to learn more about TRA. As a father of a black adopted son, I am reading as much as I can to raise my son with confidence, intellect, and a strong self identity. I am learning the work that we need to do to hopefully guide him on that path. I want us to not only know his culture, but to appreciate, respect and love his roots.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog post here: http://becomingusadoption.blogspot.co...

[Lydia K.p]

First and foremost, congratulations to Ms. Rhonda Roorda. I am grateful for the opportunity to to share some commonality through this book.
As an adoptee myself with six white siblings, I felt loved by my adoptive parents and so protected by my white siblings. The problem I faced was with black kids at school calling me "white" and when with my adoptive family or my white siblings introducing me as their sister, most people would give that look and some would search around expecting to see a white girl for that "sister" but me. This was the fun part of being with my siblings of 2 girls and 4 boys, all blind with blue eyes and some green eyes then me their adoptive black youngest sister with brown eyes. I can't wait to read the author stories and perspectives on transracial adoption.
Will be updating. once I find the moment to read and share.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written by a transracial adoptee who can see both sides of the picture do to speak. It was fascinating and helpful to read from different people who had opinions and advice for adoptive parents with children of color. Very informative, real, honest, and caring. It’s helped me greatly!

[Britney M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important read for anyone who is thinking about or whose family is thinking about transracial adoption.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very needed and well done conversation on transracial adoption. I think whether adoption is in your life or not you can glean wisdom and insight from the words of the interviews. Very glad someone is doing work like this on such an important topic.