The Declassified Adoptee

Kate Dahlquist "I'm a freelance artist (photography, art, & writing) who is currently living in the lovely state of NC with my husband and our two boys. I have many connections to adoptoland including being the sister of an adopted brother from Vietnam, mother of two children lost to "open" adoption, and a former NC GAL (5+ years of service and I'm still in touch with several of my former clients). Adoptee rights, family preservation are two subjects that are near and dear to my heart and I currently volunteer for several organizations which support these causes." Collages "Piece of my Heart," 2008   &   "Silent Heart," 2008 "Before you Sign," 2009   &   "After you Sign," 2009 "Every Night," 2009   &   "Amerikan Justice," 2009 About the Collages: "1, 2 & 5 A reflection of my feelings about my adoption experience. 3 & 4 How I feel I

Guest Post by Mama Bean   Mama Bean is a bi-racial Adult Adoptee who authors her  humorous  blog about life and family " U pdate my Status. " As May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, she has graciously agreed to write a guest entry on the topic of her choice to share with us her thoughts and perspectives. "So, what, uh... is your, like...   background ?" I get asked this fairly often. I think the questioner's usually trying to not sound racist or something. But it's a natural enough question. My appearance is kind of confusing. I like to joke that I'm ambiguously Asian. On any given day, I've been mistaken for Native/Inuit, Hawaiian, Hispanic, and once, Welsh. But what does 'background' mean? Is it just about race, what's written on my face? Or is it about culture, what's lived in my home? For non-adoptees, there is no distinction. What you're born with is also what you're raised with. But for adopte

Guest Post by Melissa “Mila” Konomos photo © 2009 mksfly | more info (via: Wylio ) Melissa "Mila" Konomos is a reunited Korean American Adult Adoptee who authors the amazing blog " Yoon's Blur ." As May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, she has graciously agreed to write a guest entry on the topic of her choice to share with us her thoughts and perspectives. "RUNAWAY" The following is a poem that I wrote at the age of 9 years old during art class: Flowers make me think of peace because when wind blows at them they don’t try to fight back. When winter comes flowers wrinkle up and just disappear but they die happily because they know that another flower like it will come and take its place and make everyone happy. When people come and take flowers away from their home they don’t cry or try to do something bad. They just think of peace and say in their mind I’ll make this person think of peace, love, and happiness. The End.