Mary Mitchell

Amen, Mary, Amen! That was a great sentiment to counter the often caustic, cynical posts usually displayed here!

Thanks to the Olivers who appear to be a loving and selfless family. And I'm sure it is thousands of good white families. But you know, I bet the Adoption Agencies are not letting Arab, African-American or African, Native Indian or Eastern Indian's or Hispanics Adopt White blue-eyed babies; it ain't happening. The New York Times just had an article the other day saying China is putting restrictions on Adoptions. Sure whites always seem to get a "kick" out of adopting some non-white kid, but, the system of adoption that is "ran" by white bueacrat's across this country put roadblocks and steer away non-whites who want to adopt White Kids. I bet two white gay men could easily adopt black children; but, two black gay guys wouldn't be able to adopt a little white boy.

We have sickening "double standards in America and it sticks. Call it Racism call it what you will but it gives people with white skin Privlege and advantage; it gives non-whites disadvantages. So sure, this is happening for the Oliver Family and those who look like the Oliver parents.

The greatest gift that America could receive is the Love of Christ. A nation that claim to be a christian nation,disobeys the two great commandments of christ. "To love God with all our heart,soul,and strength,and love our neighbors as ourselves. Where have we gone wrong?

I thought you were against white folks raising black kids? They might lose some black quality that DCFC will some how give them. You really need to take a remember what you jump on the high horse about.

Dear Mary,
That is a nice greeting that you received,no doubt.I would however,like to add to your comments.After reading what some of US have to say about each other because of race,include yourself in your statement,Mary.You are at times,as guilty as the rest.And Best Wishes to All, whichever holiday you celebrate.God Bless.

Upon reading Ms. Mitchell's initial story, I immediately emailed her requesting info on where and how to send a contribution. Unfortunately (and perhaps understandably, given her volume of correspondence), I received no response. At least I can now contact the school, since that address was provided in today's article. It's not unusual for a fund to be set up for such purposes; perhaps this will be done for others who want to do something for Ms. Williams and her sons. I would hope that others won't be discouraged by the difficulty of making contact with intended recipients.

Mitchell comment:

Thank you for your response, but contacting the school was the best option.

Come on Mary. Where's the punch line. A white woman, a white Santa, one white child and three black children. I know you have something for us. What is it going to be? Whites are racists because we always portray Santa as a white man? Or maybe those black kids would be better off in a poor black family in the ghetto than with a middle-class white family because they will grow up without the influence of the black community. You've already used every other conceivable subject as fodder for your race-baiting tactics. What can you pull from this one?

Mitchell column:

You're the punch line.

Gives me hope that there are still somethings "right" with this world. My own family is happily "mixed" as my husband and I are different races. You never choose the people you are going to love, your heart does it for you. Amen to the Oliver family.

I know the Olivers personally and there couldn't be a nicer family. Jane Elmore

This was in fact lovely.

Great X-Mas card. Keep that rainbow going. We need it.

My favorite part about Mary's lead-in above..."After months of reaading the unkind things some of you have to say about each other because of race". Perhaps Mary, would you accept some of the blame when it comes to triggering a nasty response from either whites or blacks? If it's not an over-generalization you make to draw a response, it's citing a little known college professor from a little known university to make a point about race. Too funny...

I feel it is okay for the race that is in dire need for adoption should definitely adopt their own race. Black, White, and the rest. Which race is behind in adoption?

The card to me symbolized true spirit of Christmas--loving each other as members of the same human family. Until we can begin to consciously judge other people by their sincere merits, we will never understand the true meaning of Christmas.
On a different note, I went to see Dreamgirls on Christmas Day as did loads of other people. I know because practically all of the showtmes were sold out for the evening. I therefore find it difficult to understand how the movie made modest gross receipts for the week. Is this a case of the bah humbug spirit of the Hollywood Scrooge?

Mitchell Comment:

Dreamgirls opened to limited distribution.

Justin, your post was rip roaring funny. Keep up the good work, my brother. BTW, this xmas card looks like something straight out of the UN. Seems to me this Oliver family are just a couple of guilty white liberals trying to cleanse some white guilt out of their systems. What, they couldn't find any white kids to adopt?

I am the mother of the five Oliver children. I would like to respond to Maurice and to Jerry.

Without revealing my children's own personal histories, I will say that we have adopted 'special needs children'We have spent the better part of seven years learining how to advocate for services, therapies, and now special education services in the school district. We went into adoption because we felt God's call on our life to do so. We were told by the agency we were with that because we had biological children we would have to go into their, special needs adoption program. We never thought of color only a child that needed a home. I was in DCFS care for a short time and my brother aged out of Cunningham's Home for Children. I know first hand how many kids need homes, and as an adult felt God called me to adopt. I wonder what fault can be found in this. But over the years I have heard some very negative remarks. I am so PROUD of my children and would not change any of the heart ache and even trauma in trying to finalize adoptions.

It is a myth that white liberals adopt to cleanse people's culture. We are as conservative as they come. Bible believing, God fearing Christians. We have a belief that God has made us all different and yet the same. We are celebrating the differences in our home.We have maintained relationships with our children's birth famies so they will know their bio histories. We celebrate Martin Luther Kings bday in a whole new way, we have two sheets of African American Inventors and what they have brought to our world, we have books on black hero's that we read. Do the children celebrate St Patty's Day, YES, do they love saurkraut perogies YES and do we as a family love and celebrate our bonds YES. I am the PROUD mother of two African American males, one amazing African American young lady and yes there are two blonds that amaze me everyday as they love and nurture their little brothers and sister. PLEASE do not discount us as a REAL FAMILY. Because we ARE!
Maripat
P.S. I want to mention Dartha S. She is a godly black woman who came to my house when my daughter was 5 months old and told me the Lord had sent her to do her hair! She is now my surrogate mother and the grandmother of FIVE additional kids. She did not NEED us as she has more children, grandchildren and great-grandchidren then most! But her LOVE and devotion to us had brought my children an African American Grandma and me, a loving mother that I can always count on. Let's be part of a solution folks, be a Dartha!

Mitchell comment:

Maripat, thank you for sharing the beautiful photo of your family.

does anyone else find it hilarious that Jerry uses the phrase "my brother"?

I think he secretly wishes he was black, and the frustration just manifests itself in all this bigotry.

Jerry is ridiculous to the point that I am numb to it. I glaze over his comments and search for the stupidity and when he has fullfilled his duty I move on. I sometimes like to make up narratives for Jerry's life . . .In reality thoigh I imagine that he is a pitiful man and in the spirit of this post I suggest prayer . . .

Anonymous, is that your real name? Once again, men(and I want to use another word but I am sure my post would get deleted if I did)like you can't handle the fact that a white man is not afraid to speak his mind. You are of the affirmative action generation, so you feel that us white people should just sit back and let others rip into us. Well, son that will never happen. RC, I use the term "brother" when I am speaking to one of my fellow white males. You show your racism by finding it odd that a white man would use this term. As if white men are not allowed to use it and only blacks are allowed to use it. As for me wanting to be black, please. You and your homeboys and homegirls yearn to be white. What with you people constantly trying to integrate our schools and neighborhoods. You find the white culture and us white people so appealing you are even willing to sue us to stop us from breaking away from you(SICA lawsuit in the south suburbs). That's why a term like "white flight" exists.

I am white and all my brothers and sisters are mixed there is nothing wrong with that. We all have the same mom but differnt dads. There is nothing wrong about a white family wanting mixed kids I think in the world today people are just bring what happend in history back and they shouldn't you should move on and learn how to treat everything the same there is nothing wrong you are all the same people just differnt backgrounds. You shouldn't judge people god didn't make you that way.