Substance panel covers myths, misconceptions about Asian adoption

Professor of Music Susan Lindahl and her husband adopted their daughter Emma from China when she was three months old.

Lindahl explained that she and her husband chose to look into foreign adoption after being told that their age would be a factor in being eligible to adopt an American baby.

“Our friends told us horror stories of people adopting children from the United States and having them taken away,” Lindahl said. “After seeing the plight of the girls in China, it made us want to go and get Emma.”

The story was recounted during Wednesday’s soup and substance discussion in the Bovee University Center about the rise in foreign adoptions verses domestic adoptions.

Other panelists told stories of times that they had felt like an outcast at school and instances where they had been asked questions like “Why don’t your parents look like you?”

Adoptive parents themselves also experience a time of growth and adjustment as they help their newly adopted children transition into their new homes, panelists said.

“It’s important to not act as though the birth parents don’t exist,” said Dave Opalewski, professor of teacher education and professional development. “Children tend to respect you more if you acknowledge the birth parents.”

The panel also shined light on the false assumption that all Asians are adopted.

Nicole Kamidoi, Port Huron senior and member of the student organization 12 C.A.R.A.T.S., spoke about a time her mother, who is a white Polish woman, was confronted by a customer in the grocery store and questioned where Kamidoi came from.

Kamidoi, who is half Polish and half Japanese, took on more predominantly Asian characteristic as a young child. The shopper in the store said, “She is so cute, where did you get her from?” she said.

After numerous attempts, Nicole’s mother finally convinced the shopper she actually gave birth to her.

The event was put on by the Multicultural Education Center and co-hosted by 12 C.A.R.A.T.S., which stands for Celebrating Amity and Reflecting Asian Traditions Through Sisterhood, as part of Asian Heritage month.

features@cm-life.com