 | The correlation between self-esteem and cultural identity is clear; the feeling of understanding and being accepted by the culture in which a person lives enhances their sense of self. It is difficult for anyone to find their niche in society, but it is an even greater challenge to those of us who have been internationally or transracially adopted. International adoptees straddle two cultures, just as all immigrants to the United States, and must have a dual understanding of the cultures that shape their lives; the culture they were born into and the one in which they reside. However, the joining of the two cultures is further complicated by the fact that we are alienated from our native culture and often lack the familial ties through which cultural traditions are passed.
As a person who was adopted in infancy, I had no memories of my homeland. I had no mental database to help me understand what it meant to be Vietnamese. I was raised in a small, somewhat isolated, predominantly white community and did not have the opportunity to explore what it meant to be Vietnamese, because there was no one around to teach me. I had no Asian role models to show me the beauty of my own face, I had no celebrations or traditions to help me take pride in my homeland. As a young adult I found all of these things by moving to larger cities where there was racial diversity; by visiting Vietnam and learning first-hand about the culture; and by becoming obsessed with all things Asian, and especially all things Vietnamese. Through these experiences I learned to be extremely proud of my heritage and therefore came to accept myself and feel more confident in my own skin.
I believe if I had been raised in a community that held Vietnamese celebrations or that even had a Vietnamese community, it would not have taken me so long to feel comfortable with myself. That’s not to say that having exposure to my native culture would have relieved me of the trail and tribulations of adolescence, but I do feel it would have helped to have had Asian role models. Today’s international adoptees are fortunate in that there are a greater number of minorities in public arenas. Multiculturalism and diversity have become key terms in society and it is easier to find outlets through which adoptive parents can teach their children about their homeland, and thereby nourish that crucial seed of self-respect and pride in their children. Adoptive parents can never pass on the legacy of a culture that is not their own by birth, but they can embrace their children’s homeland and by doing so give a sense of validation to their children.
~ JESSICA MEDINGER
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 | Growing up Asian American in a largely racially homogenous neighborhood can be difficult, whether from the teasing or simply looking different. For example, if being Korean makes us stand out, then “Koreanness” carries a negative connotation. Accordingly, we tend to shy away from what makes us different as we seek acceptance. In turn, not liking oneself due to the qualities which obviously cannot be altered can be detrimental to a positive self-image. Thus, I believe that the installation of pride through learning about Korea and its people from an early age has crucial importance and benefits. Instead of being ashamed of their ethnicity, adoptees can foster pride in their rich heritage through learning about their birth-lands. I also believe that the cultural identification combats isolation as the ties provide a sense of connection to a larger human fabric. Thirdly, the understanding and respect for ones heritage may provide the foundation for cultural competency later in life. As the U. S. is still very much racialized, the more comfortable the adoptees feel as a minority, the better they can participate in the mainstream culture. Overall, the cultivation of knowledge, connections and pride provides the adoptees with more “ammunition for life.” However, I realize that the resources are limited and the challenges numerous. Perhaps a good starting point is summer camps. Here, initial efforts and contacts can be made through meeting other adoptive families and sharing in the resource pool. The campers can make friends with other adoptees and meet older adoptee role models on top of learning about Korea. Yet, campers are only the beginning and efforts of reaching out has to continue. Furthermore, learning about Korea and its people should be a joint and genuine effort between the parents and the children. When simply left to the children, they may lose interest or not see the importance without the parent’s enthusiasm and support. Most of all, I believe this journey holds invaluable significance and growth in the lives of all those involved. ~ WHITNEY TAE-JING NING
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 | It is important to recognize the formation of racial identity among transracially adopted children. This perspective must be given extra care in a child’s earliest years in order to help the child foster a positive identity throughout his/her life. A great deal of concern should be placed in the child’s earliest years. At this time the child is extremely influenced by his/her surroundings, and is in the process of forming aspects of identity that are going to be forever imprinted. Racial identity is usually a powerful part of overall identity and plays a major role in how someone integrates with his/her larger society. How an individual perceives his or her race, in a positive way or negative way, has a lot to do with early childhood and is reflected in one’s identity. How do the adoptees fit in when the culture he/she knows is a white middle class? When these adoptees feel that everywhere they turn people refer to them by their race rather than by their name? The culture he/she knows only recognizes their skin color more so than they do themselves. But, when he/she turns to the minority groups they are ‘suppose’ to belong to, the groups accuse them of being “White”. In my own experience, Koreans have looked down on me for being adopted and said that I’m not really Korean. This was very confusing for me, because I didn’t fit into the group of people that society expected me to belong to. Adoptive parents who do not recognize that racism exists in our society, and do not prepare their adopted children for this reality, can unwittingly create severe identity problems for their children. Especially for the transracial adoptees, defining their racial identity is a long frustrating road. Usually the hardship of searching for identity is during adolescence. During which our lives revolve around fitting in. Before adolescence, children trust what their parents say about racism. During adolescence, racism has a different meaning. Adolescence is when we separate from our parents’ ideas and try to develop our own. During adolescence, we believe what our peers say more than what our parents say. When transracial adoptees externally experience rejection, it becomes an internal conflict, which is very hurtful. This can lead to a dysfunctional defense mechanism for these teens. They may socially withdraw or work too hard to please others to fit in. Both of these defense mechanisms are no win situations. Last semester I did a research paper about identity development for transracially adopted children. I found an interesting quote in a book called Oriental Children in American Homes: How do they adjust? by Frances Koh. One parent said it’s not important to acknowledge the racial identity of their adopted children because of the concept of “the melting pot”, this mixed, free society. We should live accordingly, not emphasizing so much on the racial and ethnic aspects. Our children want to become as American as we are and want to be accepted as such. They would like to live like other Americans and mix with people from all different backgrounds. We all wish that our parents could decide how other people will treat us once we step out of our homes. This particular parent however, is idealistic and exemplifies the popular controversial issue surrounding how white parents are not equipped to adopt a child of different race. The majority of the white people in America have never experienced racism so how could they be equipped? High self-esteem is essential to all children as they are growing up. But if they are treated in a racist manner, their self-esteem can easily be damaged. Racist treat non-white children as inferior. I read in Transracial Adoption: Children and Parents Speak by Kathy Harris. This being the case, parents who encourage the child to ignore other kids’ use of racial names are mistaken. Rachel Jones has shown in, New Law Likely to Renew Controversy Over Transracial Adoption, ...that non-white adopted children do feel inferior to white children. “Parents need to make their child proud of the color they have and teach them how to stand up for themselves.” This is why I believe that it is so important to give these children a good base from the earliest of childhood. I believe that, the only way parents can protect their children from racism is what Rachel Jones said, “Make your child proud of their skin color.” There isn’t really a certain time when parents should introduce a child to his/her heritage, they have to start from the time they learn to speak. Read children’s folk tales from their native land, go out of your way to find adult role models. Get involved in transracially adopted family events, such as heritage camps that are dedicated to different ethnic children and have them try their native foods. Validate that they are Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian or what ever their heritage may be. Celebrate your children’s differences from other kids, celebrate that their difference only makes them special. Resources for transracially adopted families are limited but are out there, and because it is your child’s welfare it is worth all the effort and energy you will put in. I believe this is the only way parents can equip their children for the racism that exists. My own journey for finding my identity as a Korean adoptee has been a long frustrating road, but it also has presented many wonderful aspects. Because it presented me with a chance to absorb and seek out the best of both worlds. I am eternally grateful for the fate that has brought me into the arms of an amazing loving family. I have strong bonds with this country but would never deny, nor would want to deny, my birthplace of Korea. In many aspects I most certainly feel I do have the best of both worlds. However, I know no other way. Immersion into only one culture is impossible for me. If I immerse myself in one, I deny the other. Neither culture totally accepts me, but both expect me to act a certain way. I am a product of Korea and of America. My experience has shaped me and cannot be separated now because the two are forever interconnected. ~ ASHLEE YONG-SOO LEWIS
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