Black Mom Gets Accused Of St.e.a.l.i.n.g A White Boy That’s Actually Her Son, Says People Are Extremely Judgmental
Keia and her husband Richardo have been married for 9 years. Although Keia had one biological daughter (Zariyah, 16) from a previous relationship, she and Richardo were keen to grow their family the ‘traditional’ way. They always knew they wanted more children. Richardo, who didn’t have any biological children, was just as eager to grow their family.
Sadly, they were to find it much more difficult than anticipated. After several miscarriages, they turned to a fertility specialist for help.
“My husband and I didn’t initially think about adoption right away, but explored the possibility of foster care. Luckily, in our city, we have an agency called Crossnore School & Children’s Home that afforded us the opportunity to foster to adopt. It wasn’t until we met Karleigh at age 11 (friend of Zariyah’s from school) that our mindsets toward adoption changed.”
After realizing that their love and bond towards their new family members were as strong as any biological child, the couple opened their hearts to fostering and eventually, adoption.
One day, Keia got a call about a newborn baby that needed some skin to skin from a mother figure. She headed straight to the hospital to help out.
Feeling an immediate bond with Princeton, Keia and Richardo had no hesitation in taking him into their home. Multiracial adoption is a common phenomenon – with people seeing no problem with the likes of Madonna swanning around Africa adopting black babies, why should it be different the other way round? Sadly, Keia was to find that in our society, it just is.
“To us, it didn’t matter that he was white but boy, but it did matter to others! I would have never thought my son being white would cause so much judgment, ridicule, backlash, and downright hatred and racism,” she explained, adding, “We’ve had the police called on us several times when he was an infant because they thought we’d kidnapped him.”
“We’ve been faced with judgment from our children’s teachers where our daughters have been asked if he is ‘really’ their brother. I must be the ‘babysitter’ they add. We’ve gotten, ‘Why didn’t you adopt a black child when so many black children need good homes?’ Or, ‘Why didn’t you let that baby stay with his kind?’ We have been in restaurants and have almost been ‘held hostage’ and not let out the door because they thought Princeton was k.i.d.n.a.p.p.e.d.”
Of course, these types of incidents are incredibly hurtful and can bring some self-doubt as to whether they did the right thing. Who wants to be stared at and judged every time you go outside with your son?
However, despite the challenges, the ups and downs and the emotional rollercoaster that adoption can bring, Keia doesn’t regret it for a second.
“The day we bought Princeton home from the hospital was the day our lives changed for the better! Being his mother is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m stronger, wiser, kinder, and definitely more patient.”
“Although faced with a lot of challenges, the support for our multiracial family has been overwhelming. Through our family blog Raising Cultures, we have met some amazing people. I loving referring to them as my kids’ cyber aunties and uncles! We get the opportunity to educate others on the realities of being a multicultural family, good, bad, or indifferent.”
“Education is key to breaking down barriers of racism, prejudices, stereotypes, and division. Our hope is that because of our love story, others will not be afraid to foster/adopt and not place limitations on love. Love is colorful! We all have the capacity to love without limits, we just have to be willing to open our hearts up to do so!”
Source:
boredpanda.com
