Back to Ask the Experts Page | Back to NYSCCC Home Page
My husband and I have decided to adopt from Ethiopia and have been nothing but ecstatic and happy about our decision until...people started making comments.
We live in Hong Kong, I am caucasian, my husband is hispanic. I expected that some people might find our decision a *little* shocking but have been surprised and disheartened by the people who have expressed a view to the effect that we would be doing the child a "disservice," especially as regards bringing them to Hong Kong. Friends have expressed the view that we would be subjecting our child to unnecessary racial discrimination.
I must admit that Hong Kong is not the most liberal of places as regards racial differences, but I am now concerned. Are we doing the right thing? It is very likely that our child would be the only African in his/her class and it might be difficult to find a community of African or even African Americans here in Hong Kong. Any comments on this subject would be MOST WELCOME!
Hong Kong Parents to Be,
You are correct to be concerned about raising an African child in Hong Kong. It will be difficult to find other children and adult role models for your child.
Instead of being disheartened, pursue this reality as a special challenge. Find ways to make your child feel included rather than excluded in this society. Be sure to pick the most diverse school, and neighborhood, if possible. Find information out about people of African descent in Hong Kong, either through research or simply asking people you trust. Hong Kong is one of the more progressive Asian countries, let this knowledge comfort and encourage you in your search for diverse community settings.
While finding other Africans must be a priority, do not underestimate the power of multiculturalism on other levels. You and your husband have already begun a "rainbow" tradition through marriage, so build on this cross cultural commitment with your child.
What I know about Hong King culture I learned from my third college house mate who had spent the first 20 years of her life there. We lived together during the L.A. riots following the Rodney King verdict, when there was heightened animosity between African-Americans and Asian-Americans on our campus and in communities nationally and internationally. We dealt with prejudice over our decision to live together from our friends, and I think her family had concerns, as African-American culture is iconized and stereotyped worldwide.
The bottom line in all of this was that we held our ground, and dispelled some myths along the way. We served as a reminder to meet people as and who they are, rather than how alike to you they are. Your marriage does this on a daily basis as well.
You must also remember that racism is alive an well in all communities, and any Ethiopian child will confront this cruel reality whether they are with you or not. Your job as a parent is to prepare a child for this reality, instill positive self identity and knowledge about Ethiopia, and above all, to love this child.
Good luck on your exiting multicultural journey, Michelle
I have just read the letter from the Hong Kong couple and Michelle's reply. The parents' concern is indeed understandable. While Hong Kong is one of the leading International cities in Asia, this character is mainly reflected only in commerce and business. And there is only limited mix between local Chinese community and the rest. The reason is probably a combination of language barrier (Cantonese being the mother tongue of most Hong Kong Chinese) and the overwhelming Chinese majority, over 98%)
While racial prejudice can be redressed thru education and legislation, issues such as equal opportunity and human rights did not gain their attention in Hong Kong until last 10 to 15 years when people were woken up by handover to China and what happened in Beijing in 1989, thanks to colonial education. However, when law and policy start to address discrimination on the basis of gender, age and disability, the racial part is largely left out.
Probably, since non Chinese account for a small portion of the community, politicians don't find the issue politically interesting. Therefore, while Hong Kong Chinese trumpet the international status of Hong Kong, they keep enjoying themselves in the idea of Chinese supremacy, discriminating Whites, Asians (people with ethnicity of Indian sub-continent), Filipinos and even Chinese from mainland China. (It's true that there aren't many Africans even within the non Chinese communities)
Being a Hong Kong Chinese, I am very glad to have chances studying and living in other countries to get a taste of multiculturalism. To be international and mutlicultural takes more than having more McDonald's or HMVs. It is also a matter of mentality.
Currently, I'm studying in London and I'll be back to Hong Kong later this year. Do you know of any organisations in Hong Kong which aim at helping minority or any other means I can contibute to foster multiculturalism there?
Back to Ask the Experts Page | Back to NYSCCC Home Page
rev. 7/14/98 md