Adoption in China- One Child Policy 20 years later

Adoption in China- One Child Policy 20 years later

 

Selia is going to get to know another young Chinese woman who was adopted.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, one of the young women highlighted in the movie, Somewhere Between, had agreed to connect with Selia.  Both women were put up for adoption due to the one child policy.  Ann was adopted by white Americans and grew up in PA.  Selia was adopted by older Chinese parents and has not yet been told by her parents that she was in fact adopted.  As her uncle once told her, he would not talk to her about it because, “it is not the Chinese way.”

 

 

Email from Ann to me:

 

Mrs. Kelly,

I'm emailing you in regards to the girl from China that you spoke with me about. I'm sorry for sending this so late, it's been a busy week home for me, but I'd love to get a chance to meet this girl and try helping her with anything she needs.

If you're still interested, please let me know.

 

Thanks and hope you have a happy Thanksgiving,

Ann Boccuti

 

My response back to Ann:

Great. I just wrote to Selia to see if she is interested in making this connection. I know she is going to her village this weekend so it may be a few days before I hear from her. In the interim please feel free to go on my LinkedIn profile and look up Selia Wang.

Bridget Kelly

Long Nv

 

 

My email to Selia:

I met a young Chinese woman who was adopted by white Americans when she was an infant and she grew up in the USA. She was just featured in a documentary film called Somewhere Between. I asked her if she would be willing to connect with you and she is interested. Do you have any interest?

Selia’s email response to me:

Sounds good, I think it is a neat idea.

My email to Ann:

Ann- I just heard from Selia and she is interested in connecting with you
so the two of you can contact each other.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THE WHOLE THING:  I don’t know who is more excited about this idea (Selia or me).  But this will be the first time Selia has met another Chinese person who was adopted.  This practice is very rare in China and very secreted. Selia only talks to the Americans about her adoption and she continues to be amazed that we speak openly and proudly about adoption in our country.  The shame of being given up and abandoned by your parents permeates all of these adoptions.

Somewhere Between- a movie recommendation

I just saw the movie Somewhere Between, a documentary about five young Chinese women who were adopted by white parents and raised in the USA.  These adoptions happened right after the mandates of the One Child Policy. The women were follwed for three years and talked about thier world and their questions about their origins and culture.  As one of the girl's said, "I feel like a banana, white on the inside and yellow on the outside."


somewherebetweenmovie.com

One of the women attended the film and spoke with the audience afterwards.  I told her about Selia who is adopted and she thought it must be even more difficult for Selia because she heard that the Chinese never talk about adoptions.  I told her that was Selia's experieince as her parents have never mentioned it to her.  This woman hopes to get in touch with Selia.

Selia's view on the presidential debates

Because they do not have access to multiple news sites, my students do not understand  or know of the rubs/conflicts betwen our two nations.  They do not understand why or what are any of the issues.  Selia watched the debate with an American who is a democrat.  I asked her to respond to Obama's statement that Ronmey doesn't know how to be tough on China.

Selia wrote: "To me, it means I hope Obama would be reelected. It is not wise to be tough on China"


FYI- the night of the election, Selia emailed me several times through hte night, anxious to hear the results of the election.

Gloria's extra-currucular projects

I asked Gloria about her views on the debate but, consisietnt with her good academic behavior, if she doesn't have information, she doesn't offer opinions for facts.  She is not policitical but she is kind hearted and willing and ready to make the world a better place. Here are a few of her activites she has started.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, Bridget! We've talked about that the other day! I will probably write an article about it when I get more information.

Have you heard about our crying time when Robert began to talk about you inspiring him to come to China? That was such an exhausting cry. We missed you so much so we cried so hard. And then we felt so tired but we had to carry on. How about your trip in Canada? Whether is changing in China. It becomes dry and cold. If you could, please drink more warm water. hot water better~

This year, we got lots of stuff going on! very exciting and demanding. I'd like to talk you about the WAFW Creative Thinkers Society! Oh! You know what? When I tried to trace it down, I found out the idea started when you were here. That night you took us to the bar and I shared that idea with Peter. I can't remember whether I've talked with you. Those days, I was probably soaked in the sad mood for your leaving.
OK, back to the track. The Creative Thinkers Society grows from a English Debate Club into a more practical problem-solving society, which aims at providing comfortable environment for people to think critically and creatively and to gain problem-solving skills. We start from a small team in Sias International University and focus on thinking over problems and possible solutions creatively to develop ourselves as leaders of social action groups. In the second phase, we will put the potential solutions into reality and work toward positive outcomes on major social initiatives in our local community.

I was wondering whether you might consider about being an team sponsor? You might think about guiding us in building a slide team and provide us with inspiring books and stories, enlightening perspectives, exercises of thinking creatively.

Meanwhile, I'm continuously doing the Sunshine Angels project. It's really cool! We have set up a promissing plan for the future of the special kids! We know it will take a long time, but my new teammembers are as excited as me. I'm so glad to tell you new members this year are amazing! Here is a brief description of the Sunshine Angels!

The Sunshine Angels aims at helping physically and mentally challenged kids to have faith in themselves and integrating them into the society. We begin with a school named the Special Education School in local area, where students are mainly from 8 to 15 years old. 12 of them are hearing-impaired, visual-impaired; around 60 are mentally challenged. We’ve done weekly visits to the School and built up a good relationship with the kids; now we’re working on providing them with more educational activities. As well, we make a commercial plan on their outcomes so that they can fully express their value and embrace the society.
More ideas are highly appreciated!

Plus, midterm exams are coming! We're fighting for that. I don't want to let my professors down. It becomes a long email~~ I have to go to bed.

Love you! Miss you!

Gloria