McCain adoption as political rhetoric?

I don't care what side of the aisle you stand on but for families touched by adoption we should all be enraged by the delivery of Cindy McCain's adoption message. Adoption rights, and public perceptions of adoption will never improve with the a self serving, halfwitted speech that Cindy McCain delivered at the Republican National Convention. Bridget was paraded at that convention as an icon of how wonderful her parents are. They should be ashamed. Their adoption story has changed over the last year and you'd think that by the time the convention came around they would have had time to deliver it in a tasteful way.

I guess we should be bowing to the McCains for being so selfless, after all they took in that poor pathetic sickly child. GIVE ME A BREAK! Can tooting one's horn get too loud? You'd think she was talking about a stray cat or something.

How much preparation do we as adoptive parents have to go through? We have to learn to be culturally sensitive and be "trained" to deal with the special needs of an adopted child. We have to consider what it is like to be ripped from a home culture and birth parents and dropped into a new one. It makes no difference if the child is an infant or teenager. We have to teach them to deal with ignorance of others and to stand up for themselves. But... what do you do when the number one offender is your mom!? How does Bridget feel about being paraded in front of America as a charity case. This must do great things for the adolescent ego. Our children shouldn't be made to feel indebted to us. Adoption is a privilege for a parent but if you watched that speech you'd think that Bridget herself should have given her mom a standing ovation.

When people find out we are adopting we often get a, "God bless you." or a "Those children will be so lucky." I venture to think that at some point, probably at many points, an adoptee is not going to feel so lucky or blessed they lost there birth parents, for goodness sake, how would that knowledge make you feel? I must step aside and say that I know that people mean well but I feel it is my duty to call it out, so that attitudes change. Imagine how so many public perceptions have changed towards various minority groups over the years because of education. (another post where I tackle the same issue) If I don't speak out on behalf of my child who will? The McCains seem to be spending all their time speaking on behalf of themselves. They are so high profile right now, they are missing a golden opportunity to champion and raise awareness about adoption and adoption rights but instead they are fishing for a gold star from us.

Comments

[Anonymouse]

Well put - thank you!

[Mary]

With all due respect Karin I could not disagree with you more on this matter. I watched with great enthusiasm almost all of the Democrat as well as Republican conventions. I did not feel at any time that the McCains exploited Bridget or patted themselves on the back for adopting a child. I personally think they should be applauded for not turning their backs on 2 children who would have surely died without their help.

[Kiandra Jimenez]

Can I stand up and applaud you!

*clapping loudly*

I couldn't have said it better, no really I couldn't because I was so disgusted, that I actually turned off the t.v.

i felt the same way, but kept it to myself, because these matters can be so sensitive.

it really felt to me that they were using her as an "example" of how wonderful they are, because they did "this great act." just leaves a bad taste in my mouth the same way everything around palin does.

i'm really disheartened by it all. really.

i have to disagree with mary, it didn't come off that way, not at all to me.

just what you said in the last paragraph alone, proves that we need to educate all about what it means to be adopted and to have been given up and/or abandoned. the parents who brought the child in should yes be applauded, but not to the point of parading the child. the child is the one who has to deal with the reality of not being wanted, etc. that is an extremely difficult thing to grasp. until you understand that, it is hard to see parents tooting their own horn.

[Amy]

Brava! I so agree with you on this.
What a wasted opportunity as well, on the part of the McCain's.
Especially disgusting is Cindy McCain's hash and rehash of her story. Ugggg! What kind of MOTHER would lie about the birth or adoption story of her child????

[Kelli Schwert]

As someone who is adopted (and was adopted at age 1 month), I can honestly say that I have never felt traumatized by being removed from my birth family's home. Unfortunately I did not have the energy to watch either convention, but I do believe that now is the time when politics get ugly and they will do whatever they can to look better than the other guy. As I am not a McCain supporter and believe he is grasping at straws, ANYTHING, to make himself look better than Obama at this point, I would not put it past him to show off everything that he has done to give this child a better life. It makes me wonder, though.... my parents never bragged about giving me a better life. They were always open with me that I was adopted and said (truthfully, I believe) that they don't know much of anything about my birth parents. Do I wonder where I came from sometimes? Of course. Do I wish my parents were millionaires like like McCain family so I wouldn't be going through a financial crisis? Of course. I just think that Bridget's adoption is in the limelight because EVERYTHING about the McCain's lives is right now, not just adoption. Do I resent the fact that both candidates have multiple homes and live extravagantly? YES! I can't help it. In a time when I need more, I am jealous of those who have more. I have to shut up now before I get all fired up. From, Kelli, a strong Obama supporter

[Pam]

I have not adopted any children but I must say I too was a little grossed out by Cindy McCain and her speech. I felt really sorry for their daughter - I wonder how she felt.

[Karin]

I really appreciate everyone's input on this discussion. There is applause flyin all over the place! This is the first time I've had so many substantial comments. So I have to applaud you. While this is mainly a journal I really value the interactivity of having a blog. I think that many of the children of the candidates have been used as a part of the campaigns a bit too much. So many candidates and presidents of the past have kept their children out of the campaigns as much as possible. I think this is good policy. There was something else I wanted to say but my mind is blanking out. It must be time for bed.