I don't agree at all that BFM's comments are borderline racism. Ideally, mixed marriages and adoption would work perfectly. But you have to consider the times and society in which you live, which is distinctly NOT ideal. Society doesn't usually (yet) have perfect opinions on such things. While a black child being raised in a white family can be loved just as much as a biological child, difficulties will present themselves throughout that child's life. It's not insurmountable, but it's there in myriad ways. Our society still makes it difficult, sadly.
Here's an interesting observation: Many white families adopt black orphans. It seem like rare to almost never that black families adopt white orphans. In fact, fewer black families adopt orphans than do white families. I don't know why that is the case.
As for racism, I spent over 12 years living, working and traveling in various countries. I saw racism in every culture. In Saudi Arabia, they were very skin conscious and what I would deem racist. A great many Saudis are from tribes that are actually as white as I am in terms of skin color. Other tribes are darker, and some tribes of African origin (such as Sudanese) are very black. I learned very quickly that there was a hierarchy of color there and groups were definitely judged by their skin color. Any person (male or female) who married someone of even slightly darker skin color was considered to be marrying down. Capital punishment is common in Saudi Arabia. The executioners who perform beheadings in the public square were black Sudanese in origin. I suspect the white Saudi elites found it distasteful to do such work.
Then there is Thailand. My granddaughter was there for awhile as a teacher. Her Thai co-teachers and friends used to tell her "Wear a hat in the sun or you will start to look like a black person." Lots of obvious racism in that country.
yes racism takes many forms, some subtle, some more blatant. in Central America where I live historically darker skinned people were looked down upon while the lighter skinned were more privileged. it gets more complicated in the same family.
Liz - Is BFM standing outside the home of a couple contemplating a different race adoption with a bullhorn condemning them? Is he trying to drive them out of the neighborhood? Off course not. He is simply observing that there is something unusual going on here that would have been unimaginable not that long ago. And the jury is still out about whether or not it's a good thing. There are real world examples that did not work out well, we are allowed to discuss this.
Your definition of "leaving people alone" means that people never face any criticism for decisions they make regardless of whether or not it's good for them, good for the kids they bring into the world, or good for society in general. We are allowed to discuss this stuff, particularly when by just about every objective measure the typical family is in much worse shape than it was seventy years ago.
agreed. I usually really like BFM comments but these border on racism so I,m kinda disappointed.
I don't agree at all that BFM's comments are borderline racism. Ideally, mixed marriages and adoption would work perfectly. But you have to consider the times and society in which you live, which is distinctly NOT ideal. Society doesn't usually (yet) have perfect opinions on such things. While a black child being raised in a white family can be loved just as much as a biological child, difficulties will present themselves throughout that child's life. It's not insurmountable, but it's there in myriad ways. Our society still makes it difficult, sadly.
Here's an interesting observation: Many white families adopt black orphans. It seem like rare to almost never that black families adopt white orphans. In fact, fewer black families adopt orphans than do white families. I don't know why that is the case.
As for racism, I spent over 12 years living, working and traveling in various countries. I saw racism in every culture. In Saudi Arabia, they were very skin conscious and what I would deem racist. A great many Saudis are from tribes that are actually as white as I am in terms of skin color. Other tribes are darker, and some tribes of African origin (such as Sudanese) are very black. I learned very quickly that there was a hierarchy of color there and groups were definitely judged by their skin color. Any person (male or female) who married someone of even slightly darker skin color was considered to be marrying down. Capital punishment is common in Saudi Arabia. The executioners who perform beheadings in the public square were black Sudanese in origin. I suspect the white Saudi elites found it distasteful to do such work.
Then there is Thailand. My granddaughter was there for awhile as a teacher. Her Thai co-teachers and friends used to tell her "Wear a hat in the sun or you will start to look like a black person." Lots of obvious racism in that country.
yes racism takes many forms, some subtle, some more blatant. in Central America where I live historically darker skinned people were looked down upon while the lighter skinned were more privileged. it gets more complicated in the same family.
For almost of time, until a few decades ago, interracial marriage (or adoption) was highly scorned. It's hardly a racist subject.
We've been so programmed to accept multi-culty.
People need to be left alone to love who they love.
Liz - Is BFM standing outside the home of a couple contemplating a different race adoption with a bullhorn condemning them? Is he trying to drive them out of the neighborhood? Off course not. He is simply observing that there is something unusual going on here that would have been unimaginable not that long ago. And the jury is still out about whether or not it's a good thing. There are real world examples that did not work out well, we are allowed to discuss this.
Your definition of "leaving people alone" means that people never face any criticism for decisions they make regardless of whether or not it's good for them, good for the kids they bring into the world, or good for society in general. We are allowed to discuss this stuff, particularly when by just about every objective measure the typical family is in much worse shape than it was seventy years ago.