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Article in Guardian

apples March 13, 2012 15:15
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/13/inter-racial-adoption-cameron-wrong
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Slippertime March 13, 2012 15:44
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Serrakunda March 13, 2012 17:17
I must admit as I'm immersed in preparation for intros I havent kept up with the detail of all the recent announcementsI'm not a Cameron fan but has he actually said that black children should be fast tracked specifically so that they can be adopted by white families ?I saw Lemm Sissay's play about two years ago, based on his experience of growing up in the care system in northern mill towns, not a positive experience, and how he didnt meet another black person till he was 18, and spoke to him afterwards. He didnt seem to be particularly pro or anti trans racial adoption. This article does seem a bit odd, I think, I hope, as a society we have got past washing black kids in bleach, and I do feel that those of us who will be entrusted with these children will do a better job of promoting their ethnic and cultural heritage. It does seem to me that as our society matures and develops we have to move to a much more sophisticated approach to how ethnic groups inter-relate or we might as just well say that all races should completely live separately and mixed heritage relationships should be banned - and that hasnt been tried anywhere before has it ? It does seem as well that the headline writer may have produced a somewhat sensationalist strapline But good that we have continue to have the debate
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Slippertime March 13, 2012 18:30
I like to think, although he's a poet and playwright, that this was just bad writing. Surely he must be a tiny bit aware of the process we have to go through to adopt yet he paints us (the white middle class ones) as evil child catchers. Perhaps he should have a couple of days reading the forums on here!I was reading the many, many responses and was interested that there didn't seem to be any by current prospective adopters. Is it an unspoken rule that we maintain a dignified silence in public forums.
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Serrakunda March 13, 2012 19:40
slippertimeI read the article very quickly at work, have just read it properly and immediately registered so I could comment. The thing that most disturbed me was the comments about black children being removed to give to white families and the implication that children are just handed out.He made a huge impression on me when I say the play and I love his poetry, he is putting across his view to which he is of course entitled but I do hope some of it was the result if sloppy writing/editing
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Slippertime March 14, 2012 08:59
I think he wrote it in a hurry to jump on the bandwagon in light of Cameron's latest pledges. I have to say it made me feel that people will see me as Cruella de Vil waltzing in and saying I'll take that one!As you rightly say though it's good that people will now be talking about it.XX
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Serrakunda March 14, 2012 16:08
I just popped back to see how discussion was going, my contribution appears to have been well received with over 30 recommendations, more than any other post !
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Slippertime March 14, 2012 20:50
I've been following it all day. It's had over 1030 responses. It's even been retweeted in France! Certainly raised several issues and it sometimes veers away from adoption. I want to know what your comment was on there now. XX
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Serrakunda March 14, 2012 21:19
I am on as Eddie 27, about page 19 I think
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Anita March 21, 2012 21:11
Well written Serrakunda, i read your blog on the guardian.i have read through a few further comments and it shows that it is difficult for people who don't know enough about adoptive children to understand how important it is for a child to identify with their culture and heritage. David Cameron is just after one thing: saving money where he can. And placing children as quick as possible is one, and black or mixed raced children are the children who wait the longest in care to be placed. the cost per child in care are high and that is what this government is trying to reduce. in my opinion shortsighted.Plenty of research has been undertaken to get us where the adoption system is now. i don't agree with everything and it can take a very long time but i do understand why we had to go through the process to be able to be placed with a child in the hope that it won't break down and the child will have a secure and safe upbringing.lots to discuss about this theme.
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Slippertime March 22, 2012 15:36
Serrakunda, I finally found you comments (I was looking at it Newest to Oldest rather than Oldest to Newest). Very well written but sadly lost in amongst the rest. I'm glad you emphasised these children are in care and awaiting adoption. Wishing you and your little boy lots of love. XX
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Serrakunda March 22, 2012 16:52
I met birth dad this morning. I asked him if there was anything in particular he wanted me to teach/tell Simba about his particular culture - food, music,festivals etc. His reply was I want my son to be safe, loved and cared for, the rest is just petty. Though he did promise to send me a list of words and some recipies of the food they eat together.Then we had a much longer discussion about football teams....
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