Adoptees express their fear, anger and insight on race during social unrest
The killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans.
A surge in anti-Asian violence across the country amidst the pandemic.
The migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
These events ignited some of the deepest discussions on race and identity in the United States in decades. Yet, many of the millions of adoptees across the country say it's been difficult for them to express their feelings about social unrest.
Raised, in many cases, by parents of a different race and nationality, adoptees have unique perspectives on race and racism in America that aren't heard often.
In honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, NPR asked transracial and transnational adoptees to share their thoughts.
Here are some of their stories:
The interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Hannah Matthews
Hannah Matthews, 29, of Lancaster City, Pennsylvania, is a biracial Black woman who was born in Kansas City, Missouri and adopted domestically into a white family when she was three weeks old.
On the death of George Floyd and other Black Americans
"Over the last year, I've been thinking about other transracial adoptees who were probably experiencing what I experienced with the death of Michael Brown. Like, what does this mean for me and
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days