The Intersection of Transracial Adoption & Racial (in)Justice
This 3-part workshop is designed for adoption agencies (staff and families), child-welfare organizations and conferences. This workshop is offered both virtually or in person.
Transracial caregiving is a multifaceted journey for the entire family, but it is often the child who bears the brunt of navigating the complexity of the experience. It is critical that caregivers and parents understand the history of why children of color are over-represented in child-welfare in order to avoid perpetuating racism and to instead embrace an anti-racist outlook to support the health and wellbeing of transracial adoptees and/or transracial foster youth. This workshop will provide a window into the nuanced first-hand narratives of adoptees through videos, anonymized case studies and Angela’s personal stories. This interactive workshop will leave you thinking about the role transracial adoption plays in our quest for racial justice in America.
WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
DAY 1 - LECTURE || 2 hours
History of race in child-welfare within the United States (Laws & Definitions), American Racial Norms & Implicit Biases, Transracial adoptee identity.
DAY 2 - INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS || 2 hours
Role-play interrupting adoption-related microaggressions in small groups. Angela provides structure and strategies.
DAY 3 - ADOPTEE PANEL || 90 minutes
Facilitated Discussion between Angela and a transracial adoptee panel. Question & answer session offered. All panelists are paid for their time and expertise.
Learning Objectives
Describe the basics of the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act
Improved understanding of adoptee-centric adoption terminology
Increased awareness of American racial norms
Explain the original goal of the NABSW 1972 Transracial Adoption Position Statement
Understand the nine themes of microaggressions and how they manifest in transracial adoptive families.
State one reason for the importance of differentiating the intent versus impact of microaggressions.
Develop strategies for identifying, preventing and responding to microaggressions
Increase awareness of: racism, unconscious biases, colorism, stereotypes, implicit biases and internalized racism.