A serious discussion about age

My children know that is quite rude to ask a woman her age.    My children had this discussion this afternoon after Seong Tae tried to convince me that he he was old enough to stay up as late as he wanted to:

Seong Tae:   I'm a grown-up
Me:              Really??   Then you need to decide what job you are going to get
Seong Tae:   I'm a kid then
Tae Hee:      Mommy is a teenager, I think

Now I'm thinking I want to be in my mid twenties instead but oh well right now I'll be the teenager who dances to music while washing dishes, who needs to have the radio on when I'm cleaning, and who grabs her children every now and then for a dance.  

~Jen

Oh no!!! Not the Subject of Racism!!!

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines RACISM as:

1: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race

2: racial prejudice or discrimination

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines the prefix Anti-as:

1a : of the same kind but situated opposite, exerting energy in the opposite direction, or pursuing an opposite policy <anticlinal>
b : one that is opposite in kind to <anticlimax>

2a : opposing or hostile to in opinion, sympathy, or practice <anti-Semite> b : opposing in effect or activity <antacid>

3: serving to prevent, cure, or alleviate <antianxiety>

4: combating or defending against <antiaircraft> <antimissile>

So anti-racism would be anything that is combating racism.

We live in a predominantly Caucasian area here in New York. One of our local radio stations, 810 WGY, posted on their facebook page earlier this afternoon about a mayor in Duluth, Georgia who is endorsing the "Un-Fair Campaign". The poster from WGY commented on their facebook page was this "Wow! Thoughts?". Apparently there is also some controversy with this campaign as well.

The term White Privilege was something that I learned about at session from KAAN's Conference in Boston in July 2007. I learned that when I walk down a street, I don't need to worry about being stopped by a police officer and questioned as to why I'm in that neighborhood like other races might experience. I learned that my children would experience white privilege when they are with me...something that I hadn't even thought about before. When they are away from me it is a totally different story and they wouldn't have this privilege.

I'd like to know your thoughts about the Un-Fair Campaign. Right now, I'm glad it is being brought to light and starting up the discussion on racism and more discussion on White Privilege. If you would like to talk more about this subject or other thought provoking ones, please attend the KAAN Conference in Albany, New York July 27 - 29th. I will be attending and hope to see you there!!

~Jen

Read this open letter from an adoptee

Please read this brutally honest letter. I'm not adopted but I'm a parent to 3 children came from Korea. One of them has their own hurts surrounding their adoption. That child has lots of questions...some of them are easy for me to answer because I have the information, others are deep thought provoking ones. I take those questions as they come and answer those that I can whether they are easy to answer or hard to answer. Sometimes that answer is "I am sorry, I do not know". And I feel horrible that I don't have the answer. "I don't know if your First Mom looked into your eyes and smiled. I don't know if your First Mom's favorite color is blue. I am so sorry that I don't know." Any time a question gets asked, it is always followed up by a hug and kiss.


Please read this article and let me know what you think.

~Jen

A Recent LGA Interview

Hi,

A friend of mine who also adopted from Korea was interviewed recently on the Land of Gazillon Adoptees. I'm hoping that you read it and decide to attend the KAAN conferences even if you haven't adopted from Korea but adopted transracially, are a grandparent to a transracial child, or from the Korean American community. And if you support what KAAN does, please consider donating your money and/or time...it's a worthwhile community!!! And besides I've met many friends there and Martha is just one of them!!

~Jen

Ethnic Attire for Halloween Costumes--I think NOT!!!!!!!!!

I was alerted by this from a friend of mine, Jennifer Hilzinger. She recently posted this to KAAN's facebook page and is allowing me to share. Since then, I found a news article on it on CNN's website. These students did an amazing thing in my opinion. They put in pictures and words what I had been saying and thinking...it's awful to consider a traditional cultural attire as a Halloween costume or to stereotype an ethnic group as well.

A question came up on a Facebook page that I like if we are dressing our children in their Hanboks for Halloween. WHAT ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? My children's precious hanboks would be used for them to parade around our neighborhood in to trick or treat???? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!! Hanboks were something that they wore as regular clothes each and every day and now are worn mainly on special occasions. To say that they can go trick or treating in is like saying that I don't care about Korea, my friends who are Korean, and my children and their Korean ancestors. Halloween is certainly NOT a special day to wear one. I posted back that I wouldn't be doing this and why.

On another Facebook page, the business was selling dress up Hanboks like a child would dress up in a surgeon's outfit or as a knight or as a construction worker. I read the comments on there and one woman who was going to buy it had reconsidered due to the comments made on the other page.

Please consider how you are treating the other ethnic groups when you dress up in their traditional attire that they would consider to be their heritage this Halloween season and always.

Ooh I would love this one!!!!

Eat Your Kimchi's Super Junior Giveaway


Eat Your Kimchi's Super Junior Giveaway

Birthday wishes for the Birthday Girl

As my oldest daughter celebrates her 6th birthday, I have my hopes and dreams for her as she gets older.

• I wish that she grows up knowing that she is very much wanted, cared for and loved. From the moment I heard that Seong Tae had a younger sibling, she was wanted and loved.
  
• I wish that nobody hurts her precious heart in her life. She has a big heart and while she may not voice her love, she shows it.
  
• I hope that her love of animals continues. One of her first words was an animal and she loves all animals big and small.
  
• I hope that her dream catcher in her room catches all of the bad dreams she has.
  
• I hope that she finds the love of a lifetime who puts her up on a pedestal, treats her like a princess and loves her for her.
  
• I hope that she lands her dream job whatever that may be (right now that is an elephant and beluga whale trainer).
  
• I hope that she never feels the pangs of hunger and that the shelves of her home are always full of food and that her home is full of love and warmth.
  
• I hope that her love for singing continues along with her love for gymnastics. You could ask her to sing and she'll clam right up with embarrassment however if you sit in my home and listen, you'll hear her singing upstairs.
  
• I hope that her love to help others continues and she finds a way to help others in need each day of her life.

Happy Birthday my sweet lovable girl. You are my princess and I'm happy that I have you in my life to love, hug, tickle, cry with, kiss boo-boos and so much more.