Nanny-State agents come full circle, admit innate incompatibility between European and African values in the USA.
Several leading child welfare groups Tuesday urged an overhaul of federal laws dealing with transracial adoption, arguing that black children in foster care are ill-served by a “colorblind” approach meant to encourage their adoption by white families.
Recommendations for major changes in the much-debated policy were outlined in a report by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute.
“Color consciousness — not ‘color blindness’ — should help to shape policy development,” the report said.
Groups endorsing its proposals included the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the Child Welfare League of America, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the National Association of Black Social Workers.
At issue is the 1994 Multi-Ethnic Placement Act—and revisions made to it in 1996—governing the adoption of children from foster care.
Too many white adoptive parents, she said, underestimate the enduring presence of racism** in America and don’t get training that would help them raise a black child.
“As a social worker who used to place children, I know very few families are ready to do this,” Johnson said. “When families fail to realize they need assistance, it’s dangerous.”
Regarding recruitment, Johnson said child welfare agencies should strive to find permanent homes for black children among their extended families before placing them in foster care.
** We would argue it is not racist to prefer one’s own race. Those who step across racial lines especially in these situations have had their internal self preservation instincts effectively shut off by outside influences. That goes for blacks as well as for whites. — Ed.