What's Your Opinion On Interracial Adoption...?

Last week the government revealed new adoption guidelines that will now make it easier for couples to adopt children from different ethnic backgrounds, and say that race should no longer be a “deal-breaker” in adoption cases.  

As expected the release of the new guidelines sparked major debate. Some felt that the new guidelines were a step in the right direction, while others expressed concern that a black/Asian child would lose his/her identity and have no understanding of their culture if placed with a white family. MORE PLUS VIDEO INSIDE...

This past Sunday the BBC’s Big Question tackled the subject matter of inter-racial adoption during a live debate. 

Self proclaimed “successful businessman” / delusional Ben Douglas who appeared on the show was adopted in to a white family, describes himself as an English man, has no interest in embracing his culture, and is quoted as saying “it’s ridiculous for me to be running around in tribal gear and trying to cook over an open fire”.

Check out the debate below and notice how those who like myself don’t have a problem with inter-racial adoption, but stress that it is still important for a black child to know about his/her culture and history (for fear of ending up like Ben) are more or less shut down. Yet poster boy for the lost and confused Ben, gets a round of applause every time he opens his mouth.

Even when author Precious Williams gives a rather disturbing account of her experience growing up away from her biological family and culture, nobody seems to want to take on board what she is saying - Ben in particular!

But that’s just typical! There can never ever be a deep, well rounded and honest debate in regards to race/culture on British television because the media here likes to sweep certain issues under the carpet. The Americans debate and confront uncomfortable truths, while the British pretend they don’t exist and succeed in their mission to keep us gullible and mute thanks to men like Ben Douglas.

To quote fellow blogger Lorraine Russell,

Black people especially need to know their culture, simply because we live in a country that goes through great lengths not to inform us about our culture, so therefore its imperative we find out for ourselves and embrace it.