Adoptees: Walking a little taller?

With the election of Barack Obama to the highest office in these United States, it’s reawakened a thought I’ve had all season.   What effect has this election had on adoptive families, especially whose children are bi-racial? 

I recall an NPR story after Tiger Woods had his first successful season in professional golf.  Several young people of bi-racial backgrounds were interviewed about the effects on their self image by having such a fuss raised in the press about Tiger’s race.  One young woman said, matter of factly, “It just means there’s finally someone who looks like me who has made it.”  Another person said, “What’s the big deal?  Most of my friends are mixes of several races!”   

This morning I caught the tail end of a radio sports program with interviews of several college football players who were teary telling of the significance of this election.  The commentators were gently teasing about the emotions of the Big Athletes, but nevertheless, it was touching to hear them speak of the possibilities this opens to them to be ‘more than I thought I could be.’ 

In training classes for prospective adoptive parents we’ve encouraged finding role models for their children.  Is President a high enough role model?  Or does it set the bar too high? 

How about Barack’s comment about looking for a dog to go to the White House with them, a pound dog who would be ‘a mutt like me’?     

Send in your comments!

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Tags: Barack Obama, bi-racial adoption, self-esteem, self-image, Tiger Woods