safety valve

I don't why I never realized it, but for a while I was in the mindset of "oh well, if you're saving a child from certain death by adopting them, what's the problem?" Well, it's not a problem entirely, but focusing on the adoption part diverts attention from the conditions that spur adoption in the first place. This comment I thought was insightful, I don't think I'd ever read something that showed so much humility:

I am infinitely grateful that my two amazing daughters (from China) are in my life. I also think, that as an adoptive parent, it's my responsibility to fight to repair that web of injustice that allowed me to have them.

In the same sense, I've seen some documentaries on race where white families are talking about how, since they didn't directly do anything to blacks, they shouldn't be obliged to "repay" them. Of course, it's not a very historical approach...what would America be without slaves (I'm conflating white privilege and America but hey)? The reverse doesn't hold as much merit...what would "blacks" be without slavery? Uhhhhhhh... ...well the point is that the present must be grateful for the present that the past gave to them.

Lucky Girl

Mei-Ling's book. Doesn't she have a blog? That's pretty cool, to be able to come into contact with authors in such an open way.

I liked this book way more than Wuhu Diaries. Mei-Ling was spot on when she said around half-way in the book that every adoptee's experiences are different. She knew that from her brothers too.

There's was also an author's picture on the back flap. I think she'd look better without bangs than with =p.

Also, I grew up in the DC suburbs, so I totally knew about Hard Times! I don't go to the one in Alexandria a lot, but there's one in Arlington that I go to a lot. Best chili ever. If you're ever in the area, make sure to go...but the one in Arlington is undergoing renovation now.

Wuhu Diaries

Just read this book by Emily Prager. I enjoyed it for the most part. It was kind of boring in some places where nothing seems to happen, but I liked the overall "message" I guess. I thought it was an interesting trip through a perspective of an adoptive parent. The only thing that made me go "WTF" was when Prager's daughter asks about her birth parents, Prager says that if she looks in the mirror she will see them, that they're in your legs, in your body. Wtf? If all adoptees were comforted by that logic do you think the majority would still go back to their place of birth in search for their parents? I don't really hold it against her though. I have no idea what I'd say if I were an adoptive parent. That bit didn't stop me from enjoying the book though.

Then again, scathing Amazon reviews do confirm that I know nothing about China nor travel writing.