Our China is a country that we don't understand, like a college roommate who sleeps until sunset and slips back into the room at 10 in the morning. Here's what I mean: This is a critical review of a documentary that aired on British TV last Monday. It was called China’s Stolen Children, and it was made by some of the people who worked on The Dying Rooms. Unsurprisingly, it appears to take a rather stark view of the One-Child Policy. It's also, according to the review, a bit over-simplistic.... more

I've been thinking about this opinion piece I just read in the Salt Lake City Tribune. Actually, it's just a letter to the editor from someone in Utah who's sick of being judged by people who think it's wrong for Americans to adopt babies from overseas. She has a lovely sister from China, and she's sure her family's choices were the right ones, but she's still tired of getting flak from people who don't agree.

Things like this confuse me. I mean, I kinda think the letter writer is correct (I would, wouldn't I?). But I'm not sure about the headline - "Judging solves nothing."

I've gotten used to... more

People talk a lot about the conspicuousness of families formed by transracial adoption. There's no way around it - people always notice you. The white dad with the Asian kids. Sidelong glances at the playground. Furrowed brows at the cash register. It's something one has to get used to in this situation, parent and (moreso) child. So how about when the curious gaze comes from a camera wielded by someone who knows how to make an image that lasts longer than the barely noticeable sidelong glance?

The outstanding... more