Navigating transracial adoption can be challenging. Some may simply not know where to start, how to become informed or even what there is to know. Whether you are considering transracial adoption, have experience with it or simply want to learn more, there are plenty of educational resources available.
For starters, AFTH offers an introductory webinar on this topic. Multiple essential topics are covered, including bias, racism and the myth of ‘colorblindness.’ It is a great introduction to many of the topics that are essential to know when navigating transracial adoption. The on-demand webinar is forty-five minutes long and can be purchased here. It can also be accessed by emailing adoption@afth.org.
Angela Tucker’s Book:
AFTH has also worked with a few individuals who have experienced transracial adoption and later gone on to write books about what they learned. One of these authors is Angela Tucker, who wrote “You Should Be Grateful”: Stories of Race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption. The book chronicles Tucker’s life as a black woman adopted by white parents. She sheds light on some aspects of it that people are not aware of, such as feelings of rejection and alienation. It is a must-read for those curious about how it can affect adoptees. It can be purchased here.
Isaac Etter’s Book:
Another person AFTH has worked with is Isaac Etter, another black adoptee adopted by white parents. Etter has created training programs for agencies in the hopes of educating people about transracial adoption. He also has a book, A Practical Guide to Transracial Adoption, which covers how and when adoptive parents should speak to their children about race. The book is a great resource for parents who are either considering it or have already transracially adopted. It can be purchased here.
The reality of it is that both parents and children need to be educated so that the family can thrive together. The resources listed above are great stepping stones for becoming informed. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out.
