AK Connection featured online in Pacific Citizen
The Pacific Citizen published an article on AK Connection and its board members.
http://www.pacificcitizen.org/content/2007/national/nov16-stom-adopted-koreans-123.htm
View the Pacific Citizen home page. AK Connection is currently the top article under Top Stories and News. You might also see a photo of our members in the rotating banner. Pacific Citizen publishes News and Information for the Asian American Community.
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18 References
New York Times Opinion section
The New York Times has been posting (in print?) writings on adoption in their Opinion section.
You can read an article written by a Korean adoptee below. The Web date is listed as November 13, 2007, 8:01 pm. Links on the right will lead to other submissions in this series.
http://relativechoices.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/who-are-you-also-known-as/
I've already heard a few comments from friends on this, including critical reactions to this series (not specific to the highlighted one above). Whatever your view, AKs are in the news and are shaping discussions on adoption.
Comment from Reader
To use adoption as a crutch is understandable however in my most humble opinion not a worthy fallback about our life experiences. I do see some racism here and there however it is not as prevalent as it was when I was growing up in the 80's. I think todays world has become more accepting of the differences in culture especially for asians. Generally speaking we are recognized for our intelligence and hard work ethics. That is a generalization whether it is true or not is certainly debatable.
To label the Korean Adoptee as a victim of circumstances is not an accurate protrayl of what it is to be an adopted Korean. Pehaps Korean Adoptees go through more disgruntled times than a non adoptee. But we all have issues as human beings. The severity of the issues cannot be devalued because one is not an"Adopted Korean" To carry that label and use it as an excuse of why we didn't, is a complete farce. We all make decisions that affect us in the interim as well as the future.
Growing up as a child in a predominately caucasion eniviornment certainly had an impact in my life. Being abandoned at a police station and then moved to a foreign country has also had a large role in who I am today.
Through the last 30 years, all the successes and failures I have been through are because of the decisions I have made through the course of life. Adoption and being Korean in a world that was not accepting has played a role in shaping who I am today. Perhaps I am a little more jaded then others but we are personally responsible for what we do in life regardless of the circumstances.
Personally, I live in two dichotomies: One being American and the other being Korean. To caucasion Americans I will be forever Korean. And to Koreans I will forever be American. I don't believe I will never be fully accepted in either cultures a true American or a true Korean. I have come to this self actualization during my visit to the homeland. I went as a Korean and came back as an American and yet, I will never be completely one or the other. I went to Korea with the mind set of a traveller. One who is visiting another country to experience the culture. I gained that in some respect but how much is one able to experience in just two weeks.
I am sure I will return to Korea at another point in my life and perhaps my opinion at that time will change.
The Ramblings of One Korean Adoptee Now American.
Author:
DD
Adopted Koreans in Paris!
The following was submitted by Soon-Young.
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I spent most of my life assuming that all AKs were adopted to the USA.
At some point in college, I found out that there were adopted Koreans
in Europe, too. Upon my discovery, I was very surprised and slightly
embarrassed of my lack of knowledge on Korean adoption.
Last month, I was in Paris with other AKs who were mostly from
European countries. Imagine how much fun it was for someone who loves
to learn about other parts of the world to not only have the
opportunity to do so with people raised in Europe, but people who also
were born and then adopted out of Korea. There was never a dull
moment. For me, the conversations were always interesting. We had so
much in common, yet so much to still learn about one another.
Prior to going to Paris, I wasn't the average person from the USA who
squeals in delight at the idea of strolling through the streets of
Paris. I knew all the stereotypes: the French are rude, they have
exquisite food, it's a romantic city, they love wine, etc. While I
did come across some rude people, it wasn't anymore common than
anywhere else I've traveled to, so I don't think that the stereotype
held up so well. Being a strict vegetarian, I found the average
French cuisine rather limiting, but could see how it was very tasty
for someone who isn't a vegetarian. As for romantic, well it was a
lovely city and the 65 degree weather with sunshine definitely made it
a nice place to be, but I'm not sure if I felt particularly mushy
being there. The only stereotype I saw to be somewhat true was the
wine consumption. It seemed to be a common beverage to have on a
daily basis.
When people asked before and after my trip to Paris for the IKAA
leadership team meeting about my trip, they usually wanted to know
more about Paris than what I was actually going there for. When
people would ask, "How was it?" I would answer, "Great" but go on to
explain that it wasn't great so much because I was in Paris but
because I enjoyed meeting other AKs, and expanding my knowledge of the
differing cultures they grew up in in Europe. I also met two AKs who
currently live in New York and enjoyed getting to know them, too. For
me, it's been great to meet and develop friendships with other AKs
from all over. The more I meet people, the less I feel alone in my
own experience as an AK, and the more I appreciate the diversity
within the AK community.
This is why I am eager to continue being a part of the IKAA leadership
team and to meet people through the activities of IKAA. It is also
why I am so psyched to go to Seoul this summer for the IKAA Gathering.
We as Korean adoptees both in Minnesota and everywhere else need to
work hard to stand together. Going to Paris for the meeting just
reaffirmed that for me. And yes, Paris was a wonderful backdrop to
experience my first IKAA leadership meeting. Ultimately though, being
there reminded me that as AKs, we have so much in common yet so much
to learn about each other.
How did we get here?
I found myself suddenly sharing vast amounts of details regarding the group's events and what it means to me to network with other Women of Color. Sorry if Women/People of Color is not a phrase all use or even think is necessary. In the academic setting I'm in it still holds some weight and suggests a way for non white women to meet and have some type of collective voice. At times during my near rambling, the interviewer who called didn't know what I was talking about. When I told her it is good to sometimes hear women talk about the non turkey foods they make for Thanksgiving, she asked if I had any other examples of conversations these networks can bring.
My real recent example for why diversity groups are important to me would not have made sense during that phone conversation. In a recent trip I met some people who lived in Jordan and London. At one meal, also attended by my white parents, I told my new acquaintances that I was adopted, blah blah blah. One women met my words with great interest, but then kept saying in a happy voice, "That's great. They took care of you. And they fed you!"
Strange, I always assumed someone was giving me food in Korea. It may not have been fortified milk and mashed peas, but the idea of an orphan being associated with no one feeding them brought back the realization that people don't understand the Korean adoption experience. People used to tell me I was blessed or lucky for my adoption, yet this was the first, and I hope only time, someone got excited because I was fed. This is the type of sharing that I want with diverse groups of people, people who understand that I'm not mad at everyone else, but wish some people would hear the word "adoption" and ask about my thoughts. It's not fun to hear someone imply that my fate almost led to starvation near birth! Why would that make me feel good and want to bond more with some random person?
- Posted by Melissa Brown 11/01/06