To cut the story short another accomplished adoptee and myself offered to volunteer, run, and teach at Teen Camp FOR FREE. I was acting as a bridge so other adoptees would be willing to get involved too. They all left Korean Culture Camp because dealing with the white people is hell. The other adoptee and I are still at camp working in the trenches. But certain parents who've judged me, spoiled these free acts of kindness and forgiveness. Of course the other adoptees don't want to help people who judged a dear friend, especially when those parents realize we're friends because we have similar views on adoption.
Another issue is there are parents who have been lying to their teens for years. Apparently every year I've been offered positions at Teen Camp, but I didn't respond or said no. Lies. I was never even invited to a board meeting until this year. No one ever offered me a position. No parents ever contacted me on their own without me sending multiple emails to prompt a response. Most of them rudely never responded. This year one mom is particular told me they had enough volunteers to run Teen Camp. Also a lie. The thing about lies is that it's doesn't matter how you do it, it still psychologically offends people in the same way.
**Parents should not lie to their kids, nor should they lie to other adults.**
Apparently there are parents who read my blog about Korean Culture Camp, and it made them quite upset. Let's be real here, they're the same parents who reported me for being a gothic Teen Helper. They're the same parents who reported me for telling the gay campers that I accept them. I'm pretty sure they're terrified I'll brainwash their kids into a gay supporting, kale eat, atheistic, bleeding heart liberal like myself. But in reality, all I've ever taught my campers is that I accept them all for who they are, and I think it's rad to be yourself.
Now let's pretend that they only don't like my blog, it's a cute defense of theirs.
I fully admit that I said a lot of really harsh things about KCC and the adoptive parents that run it. However I don't appologize for any of that. If you're white and read this blog, good luck! You're either highly educated and hyper aware of the social structure of race, or you're like every other American that's only going to get angry reading it.
Why do I not feel sorry for these parents? Why am I not regretful of my KCC review? Because I'm the brown person in this situation! They don't get to tell me what's offensive here. I'm an angry adult adoptee, and I write for my audience who are also angry adult adoptees. It's not rocket science. If you're an adoptive parent and you read a blog that's written for angry adoptees, you're going to be super upset and highly offended.
It's very simple, reading things that aren't for an audience you're not apart of will with either upset or confuse you. Maybe they'll enlighten you, but if you're not reading to learn you're more likely going to be upset. If you're a grown ass adult, then I am not going to feel bad for you. You made a decision to read something that would upset you, and now you're taking it out in the author. Good for you.
Honestly, it's like a grown adult reading a children's book as if it's for adults. You'd literally spend the whole book thinking, "Why the fuck doesn't Bobby just learn to tie his shoes! He keeps tripping everywhere! He should ask someone to teach him! Why is this book only 8 pages long!" You'd probably think the author is a crazy idiot to write the world's shortest book about a kid who could have asked his mom for help. As an adult you understand that childrens books are for childrem, so you wouldn't do that right? What on earth would compel you to do that with my blog? It's ridiculous.
**I've been doing KCC for 20 damn years as camper, Teen Helper, and Young Adult Adoptee/Classroom Aid. I am an adult adoptee and I have dedicated my education and life to bettering the lives of transracial adoptees, ie: your kids. That deserves respect.**
I don't apologize for my review of KCC or of transracial adoption, because it's completely true. Being brutally honest, writing highly controversial content, and riddling my writing with swear words does not negate my authorship of the truth. If you are an adoptive parent, you are not my audience. If you are an adult would like to upset yourself, then by all means keep reading my blog. Hell fallow me on Twitter @KangSunLee1991.
Make your own choices and OWN your feelings. Blaming your feelings on me is obserd and childish. Lying to keep me out of Teen Camp only hurts the teens that want me there. You do not win anything here.
Yeah, preach it Morgan! I'm quite fed up with it as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan, Your support is ffantastic to have!
Delete