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On the surface, one may speculate that there are more Black children in need of homes because Black families simply do not adopt. Further, it has been suggested that Black families lack the skills and resources to qualify as adoptive parents. However many specialty agencies beginning with Homes for Black Children in Detroit, Michigan have proven that Black families will come forth to adopt as the need is known. It is estimated that thousands of Black children are available for adoption. The majority are African American boys, or children who are school aged or those who have brothers and sisters, and the plan is to keep them together. There are so many myths about adoption that make families reluctant to enter the process. However, read Tommy's story, and hopefully, it will lead more folks to open their hearts and homes to a waiting child. Tommy and his wife probably did not intend to end up with four children when he first came to Another Choice for Black Children. But from what he says in the following note to our staff, it sounds like he knows what happens to children who wait in vain and has found the answer for several of them that call him dad. "Most mornings as I drive to work I pass soon-to-be-released inmates picking up garbage along the highway. Most mornings, the men are just a blur as I pass them in their bright orange vests with the word "INMATE" blazed across their chest in bold black lettering. This morning, however, I was stuck in the morning rush hour and had the time to pay closer attention to these men who worked not 5 feet from my car. As I inched along the highway, I noticed that most were, like myself, African-American. I wish I could say the men had a look of sincere remorse or gleeful anticipation of their impending release, but they were just working. The temperature this morning at 8 AM was just over 70 degrees and made for (I assumed) pleasant working weather. As I looked each of the 8 men over, I noticed that besides their orange vests, they looked just like me. They were about my age or younger, nice haircuts, and besides an occasional tattoo, nothing that would make society label them as "different". In fact, the only difference between them and me was 5 feet. Five feet, a car, a job, and freedom. Forty-five minutes before I happened upon these men on the highway, I dropped my eldest son off at his first day of Kindergarten. Needless to say, his mother, brothers, and I were just as excited as he was about the 1st day of his academic career. I have very high hopes for the life of Oree Believe and academia plays an important role in that vision. Last night as Sharon was packing his lunch and writing him a love note, I began thinking how blessed we are to have Oree in our lives. If you know Oree, you know a man-child who is vibrant and full of personality. He is extremely intelligent, loves to cook and eat, afraid of bugs, loves cartoons (especially Jimmy Neutron), hates to be pinned down, loves broccoli and okra, is loud, and loves to sing and dance. Oree loves wholeheartedly and loves unconditionally. It is these qualities of his I am most proud of and strive to emulate. When we arrived at Oree's kindergarten class, he began playing with a plastic fish that look similar to Nemo of the movie "Finding Nemo", and I was doing a decent job at holding my tears at bay. The plot of "Finding Nemo", in a nutshell, chronicles a father's search for his lost son. Oree brought the fish over to me and said, "Here's Nemo Daddy!" I agreed enthusiastically and Oree then said, "His Dad loves him, like you love me." It was one of those moments in your life, you will never forget. I bid my son goodbye and left him in the care of his teacher, the school, and most importantly, God. I then drove to work and noticed the inmates picking up trash along the highway and have come to this conclusion: Dads make a difference. If being present in the life of a child makes a difference, then so does being absent in the life of a child. Our children need us and we need them. I don't know if any of those inmates had fathers present in their lives, I'm sure some did. But what I do know is that the absence of fathers is something the African-American community can no longer endure. We have to help our wives raise our children and pass on to our children the wisdom and knowledge that can only come from us. While I'm learning in life there are no guarantees, the foundation of a 3 parent home (Mother, Father, God) will be the best insurance for the success of our children." Oree was blessed, like Nemo, to have been found by his dad. He will grow up in the loving care of a father who feels blessed to have him as a son. There are so many children like Oree waiting for that dad to find them and bring them home. You can change the life and the potential future of a child through adoption.  The requirements for adoption generally are the same for families who want to adopt children in the foster care system. Most agencies require a parent preparation class, criminal background checks, and a physical examination. Additionally, individuals who are single, married or divorce can adopt. Families do not have to be rich, but be able to meet the needs of their family adequately. The major requirement for families is their ability to give of themselves unconditionally. Listed below are a few specialty agencies whose mission is to rescue our children from the system:
Call today. We can change the outcomes for so many children. Yes, it does take a village to raise a child. But it takes a family…to bring a smile. Submitted by, Ruth Amerson |
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Adoption is not new to the African American
community. For generations, families were joined-some by blood and others by
love. Remember Grandma Susie, Uncle Joe, or Auntie Louise who were always
there for you. When parents couldn't or weren't able to provide for their
children, someone stepped in. Children became a part of families without
government red tape, without formal adoptions, but nevertheless, these
children became part of a family where their needs were met. Informal
adoption has been as much as a part of the African American experience as
apple pie is to America. This resource has created a safety net for
thousands, and perhaps, millions of Black children. So how did so many
children end up in the child welfare system, and why are so many of them
without a family?
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