With more white parents adopting black children, hair care for them is a needed lesson

Chicago Tribune ^ | April 10, 2011 | Bonnie Miller Rubin

[ConservativeStatement]

In the African-American community, the significance of hair cannot be underestimated, a source of either self-esteem or self-doubt. So for white parents of black children, making sure their youngsters are well-coiffed is as much a priority as good nutrition and potty training.

This reality came into focus recently at a sold-out workshop, "Caring for Afro-textured Hair and Skin," at the Cradle, an Evanston-based adoption agency.

"People are judged by the way they look," said Julien Drouet, a white father of Lily, 3, and 10-month-old Victor, whom he adopted with his partner, Brandon Walt. "I don't agree, but if we want to help our kids, we need to know how to do this."

[ConservativeStatement]

Julian and Brandon and their adopted child. Sounds like an episode of "Modern Family."

[Buckeye McFrog]

I have heard this complaint from black football players who played for the Green Bay Packers. “I couldn’t find anybody in that town who knew how to cut my hair”.

[therightliveswithus]

Why is the Tribune covering this and not the budget?

[Steely Tom]

I thought adoption of black children by white parents was not allowed because the National Association of Black Social Workers was against it. I wonder what happened to that little dealie?

[Clock King]

So this gay couple have no Black friends they could ask for advice? Says a lot about leftists and others. I wonder what Madonna and Angelina do.

[edpc]

Does this explain Cornel West?

[VRWCmember]

"People are judged by the way they look," said Julien Drouet, a white father of Lily, 3, and 10-month-old Victor, whom he adopted with his partner, Brandon Walt. "I don't agree, but if we want to help our kids, we need to know how to do this."

I think Lily and Victor are going to have more serious problems than how their hair is perceived in the hood, given that their parents names are Julien and Brandon.

[VRWCmember]

I thought adoption of black children by white parents was not allowed ....

When the white parents are named Julien and Brandon, it is OK.

[JoeDetweiler]

Maybe this is the real explanation for the mysterious scars on Obama’s head.........

[manic4organic]

Gay “parent” aside, Black hair is different and, depending on the type of service needed, it really does take a stylist who knows what they’re doing. My salon does a few “ethnic” clients but we don’t do weaves or chemical straighteners. Mostly cuts, color and style outs.

[Steely Tom]

When the white parents are named Julien and Brandon, it is OK.

Oh, I should have guessed.

[Salamander]

Nothing can explain Cornel West.

[Red Badger]

Just use Head & Shoulders....................

[edpc]

Make the trip from GB to Milwaukee in a couple hours.....they’ll find no problems there.

[massgopguy]

Minnesota has the Minority Heritage Preservation Act which bans the adoption of minority children by White parents. I wonder if “Lavender” parents are an exception there as well?

[ConservativeStatement]

This is from someone named Mariska Hargitay:

“We were considering both international and domestic adoption and we’re thrilled that this is the way our prayers were answered,” she told People. “We talked a lot about mixed-race adoptions, and we are very excited that we are now a multi-racial family.”

http://www.examiner.com/celebrity-parents-in-national/mariska-hargitay-s-transracial-adoption-follows-celebrity-trend

[Kenny Bunk]

This goddamstoopid article has been running at least once a year in some goofy form or other in the MSM since the late 1960's. Slow news day? "Let's see, we already ran the {Man Bites Dog}....I know, let's do the African-American Hair Story!~" We already had Black History Month, let's go for Black Hairstory Month.

O-so-culturally-sensitive. Just be aware that if any African-American of any age has a bad hair day, it is George Bush's Fault. Good News, though! It can be solved with Federal Funding if the Rich Pay Their Fair Share!

Anybody see my do-rag?

[Vanders9]

"People are judged by the way they look," said Julien Drouet, a white father of Lily, 3, and 10-month-old Victor, whom he adopted with his partner, Brandon Walt. "I don't agree, but if we want to help our kids, we need to know how to do this."

Or alternately, you could redirect your energies into exposing and refuting that ridiculous concept.

[colorcountry]

Heck, I’m a white chic and I need advice on caring for my kinky hair. I got it from my dad who kept his hair cut high and tight, but my mom and her family has stick straight hair. She didn’t have a clue what to do with it.

[edpc]

Even homos would have to say that picture is gay.