Adoptee Voices

What is so hard about being transracially adopted is that I grew up in an adoptive family that didn't see me. When they would talk about people who looked like the child they adopted, the racial harm and stereotypes were deeply hurtful. Living with racial harm and trauma is lifelong.

I am here because I have a family. There were times I wasn't sure I could keep going. I will continue to share my truth because it is wrong to put children in harm's way, and the states look the other way. Racial trauma is documented and acknowledged.

The truth is acknowledged but ignored — and that is truly painful. But I keep speaking because far too many of us, transracial adoptees, were harmed, especially during the Civil Rights era. I am here to share my lived truth and experience because it is not right. We need change, especially when adoptees are placed into harmful situations.

I appreciate everyone here who is taking the time to hear my voice.

I am a survivor of an adoptive home that should never have been allowed to adopt.