Taking our Chances in America

By Daniel Hamon

In a recent article, Scott Simon expressed his gratitude for the adoption of his daughters from China. He is forever indebted to China for his daughters, but is keenly aware of the fear Chinese mothers face due to government policies that lead to the abandonment and/or otherwise bleak fate of many baby girls in that country.

Had Simon's daughters grown up in China they may have faced discrimination if they belonged to any of China's ethnic minorities. Likewise, Ethiopian and Kenyan minority ethnic children face discrimination growing up in their countries.

Adopting one of our own sons from Ethiopia, my wife and I questioned whether our son would face racism here. However, we concluded as Simon does that:

...in cities, towns and families across (our) country, people have grown to see ethnicity as merely one feature of our human makeup...When it comes to living with the risk of bigotry, I feel blessed to be able to take my chances—and more importantly, my children's chances—in America.

America and Americans are not perfect: "But someone of Luo descent has been elected president of the U.S. when ethnic strife seems to make a Luo president unfathomable in Kenya."

Thank you, America for giving our children the opportunity for a safer and better life!

 

Comments

[Ligia]

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