In part 1 of this series, I explained the circumstances that led me to explore the question, ‘Why Not Adopt a Black Child?”. In this next installment, I present my findings. I cast a wide net via phone and email, asking friends, fellow writers, friends of friends, strangers from online message boards and from the [...]
Why Not Adopt a Black Child? by Deesha Philyaw “We have many clients seeking to adopt, but none of them are waiting for a Black child.” The woman’s voice on the phone was at once unsettling, moving, and life-changing. A caseworker at a local Christian adoption agency, she had received a call from a Black [...]
So, great minds think alike. For Mother’s Day, El Ex helped MiniMe and BabyGirl get me flowers and strawberries dipped in chocolate, 2 books that I can’t wait to read, and a white chocolate bar with almonds. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I don’t care for chocolate…except for Godiva and Lindt chocolate. And [...]
I’m digging in the literary crates this week, and this morning I pulled out some nonfiction: one of my LiteraryMama columns from 2005, that feels like a life time ago. Who’s Your Daddy? By Deesha Philyaw March 9, 2005 A few months ago, I tuned in to a new Fox reality show, “Who’s Your Daddy?” [...]
I’m late with this, but only recently did I find out that the piece below would not be running as a guest-post at Psychology Today after all. Some sort of bureaucratic misunderstanding, but I still thank Meredith Resnick for the invitation. As Christmas approaches, my daughters and I have been revisiting treasured picture books that [...]
I’m feeling kinda blah and cranky. I’m not going to blog about Caylee Anthony, the meter reader’s story, or the fact that I’m afraid that justice will not be served for this little girl. I’m not going to blog about “Katrina’s Hidden Race War”, or the fact that Scott Peterson’s 4th wife just might be [...]
Just when I was thinking I needed to post something here, this arrived: Dear Deesha, …I am pleased to confirm that your wonderful story THE TALK: PART ONE IN A SERIES has been selected for publication in A Cup of Comfort for Adopted Families. The grand-prize-winning story is AGLOW WITH GRATITUDE, by Randi Israelow. The [...]
This is a long, but worthwhile read. From their report to lawmakers’ ears… FINDING FAMILIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN: THE ROLE OF RACE & LAW IN ADOPTION FROM FOSTER CARE Authors: Susan Smith, Ruth McRoy, Madelyn Freundlich, Joe Kroll Published: 2008 May. New York NY: Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Document Type: Policy Brief (58 [...]