This is a follow-up from the post in early November about adoption and child protection. Savita de Souza is one of our National Black Voices Network steering group members and leads on policy for black and minority ethnic communities at the British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF). Savita recently took part in a live debate on adoption, fostering and transcultural placements on OHTV. I'm hoping that they will stream the programme on their website - I'll let you know if they do.
Back to the earlier discussions about adoption. BAAF released a statement earlier this year, with the following view around ethnicity:-
The policy of matching children with adopters who can support and promote their ethnic, cultural and religious identity has largely been successful. However, there are serious current issues about both delay and children not being placed and these do need to be addressed. BAAF is preparing new practice guidance on ethnic matching and adoption. These issues lend themselves to strong views especially within a context of racism on the one hand and changes in perspectives on the meaning and significance of ethnicity, culture and religion on the other.
Savita also pointed me to this article in the Guardian, which, I think offers a an honest and considered view of issues impacting on adoption of black and other minority ethnic children and by black and other minority ethnic people.
An alternative, less nuanced view is offered by Ben Douglas of the Daily Mail.
Issues around adoption and ethnicity/culture were referred to in a House of Commons debate on adoption earlier this month. Unfortunately, personal anecdote passes for any sophisticated analysis or discussion on why culture and ethnicity are considered important. Lee jasper offers black perspective on the Operation Black Vote (OBV) website, but the comments beneath show how deep feelings run about issues of identity, 'race' and cultural identity.
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