COPIED from Facebook:
“I read the transcript of Amy Coney Barret's introductory statements...to the Judicial Committee. She has seven children. Five are biological, one of whom has Down Syndrome. Two are adopted from Haiti. A few things struck me in her description of her kids. Most people who heard or read her statement probably thought it was a sweet tribute to her children. And, well, most people, that's a huge problem. So gather 'round and settle in for some learnin'.1. If you read carefully, you will see that the two children who are adopted and the child with special needs are introduced to the world and defined by their traumatic and special needs backgrounds. All of her children are precious and valuable. They are defined by their humanity. Period. They should not be defined by their country of origin, their race, the way they came into a family, their traumatic backgrounds, nor their needs. They are not defined by their academic skills, their career paths, nor their intellect. 2. Barrett's adopted children are her children. Their presence does not need to be explained or qualified to a single stranger or to the world. Their stories are theirs alone. Their private details are to be shared when and if they want them shared and with whom they trust to know them. They know they are adopted. They don't need reminders that they are different and don't belong. 3. Adoption is often portrayed as the adoptive family saving a child. Even if every child who is adopted has been saved from a dire situation, this portrayal is dangerous as it diminishes the enormous loss of a child's only connection to this world. 4. Finally, her description of the children is...bear with me and don't shut down...racist and ableist. But how could she be this when she adopted two Black kids and has a kid with Down Syndrome?! Well, let's review her descriptions of her biological children with no special needs: -sophomore in college, following her parents into a law career. -shares a love for the liberal arts with her parents, also has a math gene.-smart, strong, kind, and loves watching movies with Mom andDad.-pursuing her goal of becoming an author by writing multiple essays and short stories, submitted one for publication.Now let's review her descriptions of her adopted and special needs kids:-came from Haiti so weak she wasn't expected to walk or talk normally, but now she deadlifts as much as the boys and talks all the time.-came from Haiti and was shocked by the cold of Chicago, but now his signature trait is a happy-go-lucky attitude.-has Down Syndrome and is the family favorite.Do you see the difference in this descriptions? Besides the qualifications of adoption and trauma/special needs backgrounds that I've already addressed, what else pops out at you once it's listed out like this? This is what I see. Her four biological, "normal" children are accomplished, ambitious, intelligent, and share common things with her and her husband. Her remaining children are "othered." The Black daughter is stereotyped with athleticism and chattiness. The Black son is stereotyped with having a pleasing attitude. The special needs son is reduced to being the family favorite. In conclusion, Amy Coney Barrett's children are all valuable. It's clear which are more valuable to her. And it hurts me deeply to know that she's made public some of her children's painful experiences, and they know without a shadow of a doubt where they stand with her.Adoptive parents, do better. Transracial adoptive parents, be extremely careful that you are not painting your kids into stereotyped corners. Everyone else, be aware of how you treat and think about those who have been adopted or are different than you. Thank you for sticking around. Hope you learned something.”- Leah Simon (a Texas resident)
