Interesting article out of Hollywood today: Seems that Queen Latifah (born Dana Owens) has sparked a controversy about adoption. In reading her remarks, I thought she was very clear, articulate and went out of her way to defuse any offense. But it “just shows to go ya” that adoption is right up there with religion and politics in terms of discussion time-bombs!

In reading the comments under the blog article, it seems to me that some commentators took the star’s remarks out of context and got quite defensive because of their own personal adoption choices. It really harkens me back to what I said recently about all the flaming that goes on in what is supposed to be intelligent adult conversation.

I also think Queen Latifah is coming from a place that few understand. Statistically, there are fewer families of color who adopt, yet in the US, there are a disproportionate amount of children in foster care who are of color. Many are older and have special needs. Sadly, statistics would seem to bear out that the majority of those adopting want children of the same race. If we know that the majority of those who adopt are Caucasian, and we know that most of the children in foster care are of color, and that a limited number of families adopt trans-racially, what other conclusion can we reach?

We don’t like to face that prejudice still exists in this country – institutionalized or otherwise. But if you are a person of color, you know this to be true, even today. Because this is true, families of color do feel an unspoken obligation to minister to their own community first and adopt children already in the system, who are of color.

Our present adoption was fast-tracked because my family is of color, and the children we are adopting are the “Triple Whammy”: older, sibs and have special needs. Additionally, they are bi-racial and this was specifically cited as a reason the agency was having difficulty in placing them in their small, Southern, rural community. Our children’s (Caucasian) birthmother told us herself that people interested in adopting our son asked her if he “looked more Black than White.”

So, yes, adoption and where one adopts from is a highly personal choice. But I certainly applaud Latifah for considering her own community first! Much is made of celebrities not using their status “for good,” but it’s refreshing to see someone from an inner city background (a common background Queen Latifah and I share) doing something positive for her own community.

Understanding the context of why Queen Latifah made the remarks she did should help us all deal with whatever adoption emotions we are experiencing, and realize that we need to put aside our personal opinions when we are listening to those of another who may come from a very different experience than our own.

Related Reading


Why Doesn't White Adopt Black?


Adoption News

Trans-racial Adoption

Black Adoption Placement and Research Center

Double Standards in Interracial Adoption

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