but didn’t.
Heart Mind and Seoul – All the (adoption) news they see fit to print
Harlow’s Monkey – NYT aka the “Adoption Police”
A Birth Project – Racist M/Paternalism at its best
Twice the Rice – the NYT: Gatekeeper, censor
Borrowed Notes – Fairness Doctrine
Reading Writing Living – Shut up, Tama Janowitz. Just shut up. And turn in your parenting license while you’re at it.
Outside In – To Willow Janowitz: You’re not alone
Sun Yung Shin – Tama Janowitz on NYT adoption blog
And now, after some comment shenanigans, comments are closed.
Overwhelmingly it seems that the majority of approved comments agreed with Janowitz. I find this a frightening comment about adoption and adoptive parents in general. The I can’t do anything right, so why bother? attitude is one that frees parents from grappling with the hard issues. But it makes the mistake of confusing flipness for gross neglect. Yes, I said neglect. Because making your kid mad because she can’t do something she wants to is not on the same level as completely negating her self.
A few comments by adult adopted persons did manage to be approved. And I think this is because permitting a few dissenting voices allows the NYT to maintain its illusion of fairness. But censoring the many dissenting views allows the few voices to be painted at deviants, as crackpots, as “angry adoptees.” Because what would it say if we were to see, truly see (literally as well as figuratively), that the voice of the adult adoptee overwhelmingly disagrees with Janowitz?
.
Thanks to akira for previously giving me insight into majority tactics.
Edited to add titles.
5 comments
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November 14, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Susan
I have to say that was the most discouraging thing, for me, was how so many people were all “right on, funny lady!” in their comments. I was… stunned. Sometimes I think, I am so naive. Sigh.
November 14, 2007 at 6:54 pm
kattycake
The comments are so much like an adoptive parent yahoo group love festering, I just
can’t stand to read another minute of the
blather from a top heavy clueless,,did I say
clueless? bunch of ap’s.
November 14, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Natasha
Why are the only people up in arms about this adult adoptees? Where are all the angry and offended APs? Tana’s not really AP mainstream, is she?
November 14, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Psychobabbler
I can only guess that, like my own, the other dissenting APs’ comments were not published as well.
November 14, 2007 at 7:46 pm
A
If Willow’s mother in China could read this so-called “funny” post by her daughter’s “funny” adoptive mother, I would love to see a comment from her. What would she think? Do you think Willow’s mother would have selected Janowitz to parent her precious baby girl if she had known Janowitz in person. Probably NOT! One good thing about adopting internationally from those “third world countries” is that you can just say any f–king thing you want. To the a-parents who made those “right on, funny lady!” comments, shame on you. You people are so small and self-absorbed. You made a-parents look bad!