One of the most fascinating aspects of running a business is that you get to see society from a different perspective depending type of service you are supporting.
I consider myself a very enlightened person especially on sociopolitical and socioeconomic sense. That is why I was surprised when we [bernos] received so many emails from Americans that have adopted and or are in the process of adopting kids from Ethiopia.
We have many customers, maybe a couple dozen, which we know of, that are new parents of an adopted Ethiopian kid or in the process. From what I understand the process takes years.
One email was asking the origin and information on the name Meron, because this parent adopted a three year old named Meron; others asking information about certain articles that was written on the bernos blog. I forwarded the message to Meron and asked her to talk to the parents about her name.
We have received a few requests for us to provide bernos t-shirt in kid’s sizes; like this comment yesterday, so that the parents could buy something related to Ethiopia for their Kid(s). Another thanking us for certain service and sharing certain stories about their kids. As a whole we get many requests from many people, a lot, about many different things. Bernos is a lot of work and it requires an investment in time and money when we delve into another project. We do our best mostly prioritizing for customers before ventures seekers.
I recently read a blog post from Chris and Jess who are ‘waiting patiently (sometimes impatiently), but always faithfully, to adopt our son from Ethiopia.‘ I think one of them bought the new I heart Africa T-shirt and wrote about it.
Another interesting comment is from Dan and Tiffany who have been married since 2000 and are waiting for their first child from Ethiopia; and also another Bernos Customer.
I am writing to thank all the parents and soon to be parents of kids from Ethiopia. And hoping Chris & Jess and Dan & Tiffany and many others through out the west receive their babies soon.
Published by May 23rd, 2008 in Bernos, Design and Thoughts.
You started an INTERESTING SUBJECT.
I wish all who are waiting the best.
It does not take years, it is shorter now. I know an Ethiopian woman who adopted this year and it took her 6 months.
Costs a lot of money though.
Yup. Worms. Can of. Opened. I think the dialogue in this thread is going to be some of the most interesting yet.
As much as I wish these parents to receive their babies soon. And wish for these kids to have a wonderful life, I could help but feel saddened by the sight of SO many kids (adopted or in the process of) at the Hilton, while in Addis few months ago.
Every single day there were at least 5 or 6, in the arms of their new loving parents. God knows these are very lucky ones excaping a harsh future to say the least. And commend these wonderful parents for their love and the responsiblity and all the hassle they must have gone through.
Honom, I just couldn’t understand the saddness or strange sense of loss I felt.
yay! african babies! right to your doorstep! free shipping and handling! batteries not included, and neither is a warranty!
and it’s not THEIR babies, for god’s sake! that sentence alone just shot to hell the mother/father who may have been going thru a lot of shit making decisions and deliberations on how to raise their child, ok? please try not to dismiss that haranguing experience with a flighty little blog of brain farts.
next time you write an article, please pay attention to words. because you clearly underestimate their power.
… oh … yeah, and i’m all for adoption … but i’m also pretty certain that most white people don’t understand race issues enough.
Well I agree with number 3. I had the same feeling at the Addis Airport when I talked to a couple from Germany adopting a brother and sister. They told me their grand parents, uncles, aunts are waiting for them in Germany….
Happy for the kids, they found family but I just felt this deep sadness in me. I can’t explain why.
The strange thing is, it is harder for Ethiopians to adopt. Same color same culture one people but harder.
The cost is another thing.
I know from an Ethiopian that it cost her $30K plus to adopt.
Most of the money goes to the agency in the US that is processing.
That is what we call a profitable bussiness .
Wow, and to think that I was going to write a small bit here thanking you so much for helping me outfit my son in some rad clothes that celebrate his homeland (Addis Classic) and providing my wife with a great Mother’s Day gift (I Heart Africa). They both proudly sport their new wear, and my son wants me to photo him in the shirt and send it to you. He digs your models.
On the flip side, I have to say, having adopted both a boy and a girl from Ethiopia, 11 and 5 respectively, some people on here don’t know what they’re talking about. These are my kids. Period. And their biological mother (RIP) Yeshume is honored in our home like maternal goddess and their schmuck bio father Nesibu (RIP) is given respect as a father even though he never was. Our daughter was sent to an orphanage and our son was running the streets…what would you propose, leave them there?
We have connected with their extended family and pay for better housing for them in their hometown helping keep the family together. We support other street children in a shelter that works to put them back in their families, but know that’s just not always a possibility.
My daughter has been home 2 years and my son a year. They join our 13 year old biological daughter and all together we make one rocking inter-racial family of five in a small Oregon town.
Thank you bernos.org for helping us celebrate our Ethiopian state of heart and mind!
Case closed right there.
They will eat injera, do some eskesta, and wear a Bernos tshirt…and what do you know…they’re born again black African parents.
what is (RIP)?
RIP = Rest in peace. For those who have died.
Thank you bernos.org!
Nolawi,
Interesting topic . I believe we have many children who need roof over their heads and care. Thanks for ppl who are genuine enough to do it.
But there are also a lot of creeps out there. A few people who have been to Ethiopia recently told me how they were shocked to see the amount of adoption taking place. Especially, if you go to the Hilton almost every one is carrying a child. I don’t know how much follow up or check up is done before giving children for adoption.I think we need to look at that aspect of it too.
I think you once put up a link to a great Article by Hama Tuma.
Thanks jrdink, I understand how you feel. I also give you credit for knowing and understanding the culture.
No matter how we all see it one needs to look back and say what will this kid be if he was still on the streets?
When it comes to adoptting Love is truly color blind
One can be born from Ethiopia parents and not understand the culture at all. Have seen a lot of that in the US and Europe.
In respect to all who have adopted and love their kids I think this subject should stop. I dont see any point in getting people mad.
Thank you for the positive post about Americans adopting from Ethiopia. I am so happy that you understand that a parent’s heart loves and longs for a child they have not yet met.
It is terribly sad that these children leave their birth country during the adoption process; it is horrible that their birth families are unable to care for them, for whatever the specific circumstances. But to celebrate the love of a family, even if it is non-traditional and trans-racial, helps make the world a better place.
Thank you for helping us become better parents to our Ethiopian children- for providing us with tools to help celebrate our children and their herritage.
Jrdink I am not lumping anything together and I wish your family well but the truth is we all wish that our children were not adopted away from their country of birth or origins, despite all that is good that they gain, they also lose something equally important their roots and their Ethiopian culture and identity and this is not to presume what you teach your children about their Ethiopian culture I am aware inter-racial adoption is not easy and wish you and your family well…
Thank you to all the adopting parents!!! Period!
Hi everyone, Please keep this discussion productive. Sensitive topic!
I do think its their kids Period. In a sense that all adoptive parents and parents regardless of biology.
Yesterday it was Asian kids and today Ethiopian kids are in season…ready to be picked before they ripe and sold to the highest bidder. Ayeeeee Ethiopia lejocheshen sebsibi.
For those who do it in good faith best of luck. I fear most are doing it to follow trend. Damn Angelina Joli what the hell has she started!?!?!
Thank you Nolawi.
Hidaya said
Are we not all away from our country and our roots? Tell me what the difference is.
We are uprooted from our roots, period.
The scary part is I see older Ethiopian mothers and fathers unhappy who end up lost in a new culture may also die in this strange land. That is what I call uprooted.
Have you not seen kids who are born here or who came here as teenagers and know nothing about their culture, language or history?
Don’t forget those spoiled kids in Addis Ababa who will not want to speak Amaregna! Do they know their culture? No.
Power to all who opened their hearts and homes to the kids. Again love is color blind.
Peace
isn’t that a matter of acculturation anyway?
I, an ethiopian, born and raised (by black ethiopian parents, I might add), was not even aware of the trepidations us black folk deal with before my immersion in a multicultural society within the US…
that said, i really think an adopted ethiopian kid needs intense immersion and exposure to the ways of life of her biological parents…if only to soften the blows of cultural shock and possible identity crisis.
i’d advocate for something like…
~ months Living amongst relatives in ethiopia during formative years (ages 9-14)
~ going to multicultural/international schools, possibly even school in Ethiopia for short period.
~ for the parents to stay in close touch with ethiopian communities in their area
~ learning the language, watching movies (NOT national geographic exotify-mentaries), reading books (by Ethiopians) etc etc…
with enough LOVE, cultural exposure and good history lessons…these kids could be confident and competent citizens of this multicultural world, non?
The difference is I cam by choice, my parents choice and neither my culture nor my roots are lost they are ingrained in them and they ingrained it in me, that is the difference.
I feel we are uproooted from our contries I wouldnt equal it to being uprooted from our cultures, if we grew up with even a tiny little bit of our traditions and if we are blessed enough to have our parents then it is representation of it we are not uprooted from it
Yeah I have seen those teenagers and they are the ones with the biggest identity problems but not all teenagers are the same, some try to adopt a healthy balance between their roots and their countries they have come to reside in because after a while neither identity on its own is representative of the person that teenager becomes I know because I was one of those teenagers…
I am not agaisnt adoption I just wished our children were not adopted away from their origins and their roots, that I believe it is a natural and emotive instinct…
.
Tsegure,
Do you have any evidence to show that “most are doing it to follow a trend”? Children are dying in the thousands, and there are so many living in extreme poverty – so why the heck is it important that: “Ayeeeee Ethiopia lejocheshen sebsibi”?? Tesebsibew yirabu? yimutu? Let them find good families that can love and support them. btw, the cost and the lengthy process is a good indication that agencies are doing their job in finding the right match and are checking the background of the parents to be. Let’s be thankful that some of our kids are lucky enough to find a real home. Can we please stop discounting this beautiful and courageous act to build a family under the guise of nationalism and false concern? Wore’ bitcha!!
I acknowledge the sensitivity of the subject to a great extent. I’m glad for those who find homes and families; same goes to parents who find their little ones.I can also imagine the anxiety until they receive their babies and the merry afterwards. Having said that…
I noticed the increase in adoption from Ethiopia lately and can’t help wonder why…has the policy become more favorable? Is it because the number of orphans has become uncontrollable? Is it the media? Westerns suddenly developed a sense of adopting a child from Ethiopia? Is it the growing # of agencies making it possible? I am just curious.
Raising a child is no joke. Couple it with racial/cultural disparity and trying to maintain that gap…yup…u guessed it! tuff
I think people who watch too much TV or read too much Angelina feel like she started it.
Kids were being adopted way before she did. Let’s not give her the credit she does not deserve.
Tsedey,
I think the number of orphans due to HIV and AIDS in Ethiopia is very high. There are also limited number of orphanages that can take the kids
Some of the children are not able to be taken by their own relatives.
Ethiopia is a poor country and I think the government for whatever reason is making it possible for outsiders to adopt.
Ethiopians within the country are not doing it no matter how much money they have.But still there are some who do take in kids related to them or not.
People are more up to adopt from Ethiopia because it takes less money and less time than other countries like Estern Europe, Asia etc. So I have heard but can’t prove it.
There maybe something in it for the government as well.
I will not be surprised.
There is something in it when they send women to work in Middle East. Money.
They will have less kids to worry about.
Regardless of all the kids will find family that will give them love.
Using one of the blog spots I reserved for use to promote our street children rescue operation in Ethiopia that won’t launch until 2009, check out A Mom and Her Son. Sporting the bernos wear.
and, yeah, we listen to amharic music every day, watch Ethiopian movies (not BBC or National geographic, but Ethio produced movies), dance (yeah, I can dance), sing (youtube is a wonderful thing), eat food (I make the best shuro in Oregon), play Ethiopian games, celebrate Ethiopian holidays, fellowship with Ethiopian communities, fail at making injera real well, call Dessie regularly, read amharic books (our kids have the amharic alphabet on their wall) and on and on…we even run the Ethiopian calendar next to our own. We’ve probably got a bigger slice of Addis going on at our home than most Ethiopian transplants bring with them….it’s not the same as being raised by Ethiopian parents, but we haven’t robbed them or you of anything.
I suppose one way or another we are all coming/wanting to America. One way or another we will all be f’up. Whether we are in America or Ethiopia a chance for a real Ethiopian society that respects and cares for all of us seems too distant. The generation after can’t really be considered Ethiopia. Join the melting pot of America…
Thanks Bernos, you brought up a very important and timely subject.
I support posts by lilye, toothpick , etc I feel pain and sadness when I see Ethiopian children adapted by American and Europeans. I understand that Ethiopia is one of the worst place (in the world) for children (UN). I understand that there are not enough middle class or upper class Ethiopian family to adapt these children or it is beyond the government ability to help these poor children. But my question, why is the adaptation boom (at the present time compare to earlier time)? If I answer my own question, I am sure (but don’t have prove) the current tplf government making hard currency form the adaptation process. Because, we (Ethiopian) know how corrupt the current tplf government is, so if some of you believe this crooked government makes the adaptation process easier to the benefit of these poor children is false or don’t how this criminal government operate.
I am sure, their are genuine American and European who truly wants to helps these children, I will say thank you very much (form the bottom of my heart). You are challenging us to do more in helping our beloved country.
At the same time as 25 wrote and it is my question and opinion, “I know the poverty, the HIV factor and all that but that has been there for a while. But the adoption boom a recent phenomenon. Question is why now? What has changed?”
Jrdink: my apologies to you. After reading your comment #27 your kids are fortunate to have you as an adoptive parent. I personally know/work with a woman who is adopting a child from Ethiopia for all the wrong reasons and I took it out on you. Best of luck and please accept my apology.
It’s all good. Really. I know these people you speak of too. And I apologize to you for them. There is no doubt that there is a lot of money being made somewhere along the line and my heart goes out to those children that are leaving homes to come to America. That’s not right.
There are those of us that worked very hard and did the research to help adopt some truly orphaned, high risk kids to offer a better life. Our hope is that they will someday return to Ethiopia or work here on behalf of Ethiopia to once and for all pull the whole country out of this cycle of poverty, famine and HIV. I’m not handing out, I want to offer a hand up.
You see, having visited a couple of times…I love Ethiopia. Really. Maybe almost as much as some of those that come from there. I dream about it, I want to be there, I celebrate it….and I hate being lumped in with those who are using it as a fad or to exploit it or repressed by the idea that because I am not from there I can’t possibly understand it’s people, it’s heritage, it’s culture. That’s what ruffled my feathers I suppose and I too am sorry for the exchange (hence one deleted post).
It is possible that the generation of today (the 30 somethings) really want to make a difference in Africa and adoption is the only way they know how. Just realize some of us really do have the best intentions and the right heart about it.
Thanks again for you nice comments.
Selam T said:
“There maybe something in it for the government as well.
I will not be surprised.There is something in it when they send women to work in Middle East.”
If the government cant make life easier for these kids, it helps if it makes(for whatever reason) the adoption of those same kids easier,with the necessary legal protection. What good it do to be cynical about the whole adoption thing given the the desperate situation in which these kids find themselves in? Their problem will only be excerbated with the looming drought and shortage of food. And I believe these kids can use any help they can get,with or without government involvement.
International Adoption has been popular for a while though the last few years has seen an incredible boom, not only in Ethiopia, but also in many other countries. I think the current government in Ethiopia is defintely more open than the Mengistu regime, which is why we are seeing more of this now. I have no doubt that this is also another way for the government to generate some income while exporting some of the problems it can not resolve.
Lets face it, we all know that we have always had many children that were either abandoned, or orphaned due to disease etc. Now with the population explosion, this has grown exponentially. I left Addis when I was 10 and that was back in 1990, and I clearly remember huge numbers of kids on the streets begging. We have always had many street children, now even more because of the AIDS crisis. Unfortunatley, we did not and still do not have the resources to take care of these kids. If these western people adopting these kids, if well intentioned are a god send to these kids. If it was not for my middle class background I, as an Ethiopian born in addis could have easily been on of these kids.
I hope that these kids dont end up in some pervert or petophile’s house. If a well intentioned american/european adopts these kids, I am all for it.
Good luck to those who are taking care of these kids.
Hi jrdink
Nice picture..:) you look like a fun young mom!
I have to put in my 2 cents…
It is sad that the culture we celebrate, the nation we dearly love, and the people we claim we are proud of, are not enough to create a consciousness to help our own little children. Wasn’t it hard to for you to watch kids huddle together wearing rags, sleeping in a hole in the ground, while your family chauffeur drove you home? Who is to say a loving home as a racial minority is not better than street life? It is adoptive families like this that make me realize how little value life has without compassion.
The only culture I want to identify with is one that is defined by compassion, hard work, and respect for human dignity. Love to me is an action, I celebrate actions not empty words. We are not too poor to help each other, just too lethargic, misguided and possibly selfish and careless. These kids are not missing out on the things they supposedly lose when uprooted from etio, they were already forgotten in their own homeland, they got no love, no family, no schooling, barely ate, so to say they are missing out on injera is a joke. I applaud whoever this lady is, and I hope we have many more families like her whether ethio or white, so that these kids can grow up with the universal values that make a noble and compassionate person.
I admire people who adopt, whether from Ethiopia or elsewhere….they have bigger hearts than most of us! I don’t believe the fact that the new parents are non Ethiopian should be a deterrent factor.
I have come to know families who adopted from Ethiopia (Abesha, whites, as well as African-Americans), and my only concern had been that in all those cases, except in one, they spoil the kids too much almost to the extent of not disciplining them.
On the other hand,I find these parents considerate and very understanding. These non Ethiopian parents I know take the children to Ethiopian restaurants as often as they can. In one case, I have been asked to teach one of the kids, and the mother herself, Amharic…And there’s the white couple with their Ethio kids, in abesha libs (siamruuu! ),who wouldn’t miss a Sunday service at the Orthodox Church,…..I really admired their effort to keep their children’s tradition/culture/religion.
As many of the comments here truly reflect, these are kids, whose lives, if had been left back home, would have been far from delightful. A few months ago, we couldn’t help but make a comparison, when one of the couples had a baby-naming party for one of the kids they adopted from Ethiopia. Inem rAse isun bAderegegn alkugn:)
I guess it is natural (but not necessarily right) that some of us feel uneasy or even saddened when we see foreigners adopting Ethiopian children. But we have to remember these kids need parents…and God has blessed them with such. I don’t know if anyone of you came across similar situation, but I was troubled when I met a lesbian couple who adopted two Ethiopian kids. Sorry, but even the fact that I grew up in Europe didn’t help me get over it. Oh well, at least I am glad they are good parents.
BTW, does anyone know of abesha psychologist in the Tri-state area? A couple who adopted Ethiopian kids are having a problem with the older kid (a teenager) who has difficulty assuming his new culture, and are desperately looking for an abesha psychologist. Please post info if you know of one.
Nolawi, Thank you for a captivating article.
I’m not Ethiopian and I don’t pretend to be and the one thing I have learned in the last (almost) ten years of being married to an Ethiopian person is that culturally, there are just things that I am never going to understand. Never.
I think when children are adopted out of their native homelands, it’s such rocky terrain to climb for their new set of parents. Culture is so vital to any child, much less one who wasn’t born here. Things that make me scream inside are the changing of names to more Western ones and that it seems to be (SEEMS) that many of these children up in non-metropolitan areas where they will not see another non-Ethio face unless it’s in a restaurant, and sometimes not see another dark face at all.
I’m definitely NOT saying that kids can’t be well-adjusted and good people because children are malleable that way – but to try to imagine the huge sense of loss that comes with that is so beyond me.
At the same time, adoption is a noble thing. But I have to wonder why so many people choose to adopt internationally when there are a plethora of children (in a rainbow of colors even) to be adopted right here in The United States. I can’t help but think it’s the Angelina Jolie effect. Again, adopting is noble. I respect people who do it – I just wonder about the decision-making that goes into it.
Thanks for the many good warm hearted individuals out there. Well, given the overall socio-economic problems, the endless famine situation in Ethiopia, adoption will save a child life. I wish the process is less bureaucratic and resasonable charges. Why not saving a child life through adoption?
We’re living in a globlazied world and as we know it things are changed for the better and worse so, the adjustment process is much faster than what it was before. There’re so many grown ups Ethiopians among us who’re detached from their own culture, roots and society. Guess what? they’re not even adopted.
Thanks jrdink for helping these poor unfortunate kids who are the product of Ethiopia’s sad state of affair. If there is anybody who had failed them, it would be us. The mass exodus of educated talent from that country for the past 30 years is no joke. Toiling in Babylon, building its walls while their country wallows in poverty under the hands of “responsible citizens” whom most of them are interested in embezzling whatever wealth is left in that country.
jrdink,
you’re right, i may have indulged in an unreasonably sweeping generalization. for that i apologize.
what you’re doing for your kids is truly admirable, especially the lengths to which you’re going in order to ensure that certain cultural elements are not brushed under western rugs.
and i am sure your intentions are all in the right places, and i do not mean to question or doubt your parenting skills, because clearly, you’re doing a great job.
nonetheless, america is by no means color blind. and no amount of acculturation and open-mindedness can prepare a person of color for the various subtleties and manifestations of racism in america. i hope you acknowledge and teach that to your kids … that there truly are some up people out there who will (like myself initially) judge and undermine your family. i sincerely hope that you do not get jaded, that’s all.
my 2 cents, for what they’re worth
Why are some people complaining the corruption of Ethiopia’s government?? I just don’t understand some of my own people.
I don’t even want to start on how much this current government is being discredited for all it has done; but you(living in the U.S) do is say “[well,] Ethiopia’s sad state of affiar” is responsible for those being adapted. Wake up!! If the Ethoipian government can find a way for these kids to find homes, then thats great! These kids most likely don’t have parents. And if they can bring happiness to another family, SO BE IT!
There is nothing wrong with Ethiopians being adapted to American family. I know some Ethipians who have been adapted and they are perfeclty well mannered, know their history more than most Ethiopians, are well educated. Don’t we have some that have Ethiopian families but don’t speak their language, don’t know shit about Ethiopia except for ingera, and blame it all for being born in the states? What would you say to these kids/adults?
Angelina Joli did attract some potentian parents, but it’s a good thing. People were ignorant about Ethiopia before, but after realizing that they could adapt fromt here, why not try? As I have heard, it’s way too hard to adapt children here in the U.S. and thats why many Americans go abroad to adapt.
For you to sit here and say the government is not doing its job is all bull shit. Why don’t you go do somehting if you feel that way? (instead of sitting here complaining at starbucks that is.) As far as I know, these kids adapted will be more use to Ethiopia than most of you here.
For those adapting, I say, love is thicker than all the problems you or your kids may face. I am sure it’s a great experience and I may one day be in your shoe.
C, I have also wondered that myself. There are many African American children that are waiting for loving parents but are not getting adopted. I have heard of Canadians coming to the US to adopt AA kids because it is so easy to do and because there are plenty of kids available. I dont have problems with Europeans or Americans adopting Ethiopian children, I just hope it is not a fad. I also worry about things like this.
Wiit, you must be living in the cave, for ignoring or excusing what the tplf government is doing to our beloved country. You are implying that it is good to export (adapt) our children to US and Europe instead solving the country social and economical problems. You may probably benefiting form this corrupted tplf government, that why your are minimizing this disgraceful government.
You asks us what we are doing to better our country, I personally try to help family members who are struggling to make a living and support some political groups (non violent). If you think this government will solve child poverty by adapting these children to US and Europe, you are #@$% brain.
True! and this is what i really am worried about our children’s fate who are adopted by Europian or American family.there are things(in fact very serious things)that will matter to a child but will never been understood by the family. but let us hope that there are people like Jrdink….
I also have to wonder why……WHY?
SEWOCH endene endene gin if i were the one who runs this country of ours, i would definately and immediately have stoped any adoption of a child by Europians and Americans.
sorry wit! that is just me. and there is no way i could make it to the top,so don’t worry!
True! and this is what i really am worried about our children’s fate who are adopted by Europian or American family.there are things(in fact very serious things)that will matter to a child but will never been understood by the family. but let us hope that there are people like Jrdink….
I also have to wonder why……WHY?
SEWOCH endene endene gin if i were the one who runs this country of ours, i would definately and immediately have stoped any adoption of a child by Europians and Americans.
sorry wit! that is just me. and there is no way i could make it to the top,so don’t worry!
i just see that i made a stupid error. sorry, it was not intentional
(i had posted a comment earlier but i guess it didnt make it throught
) anyhow..
WOW!!! So exactly what the heck is the problem with the few kids that are being adopted out of the millions of people in poverty in ethiopia?? oh right…the culture…hmmm!!
Well, let me speak from my personal experience. I came year as a child and fourteen years later i speak, read, and write in amharic. im familiar with most aspect of our culture. however, my brothers (born here) can make out anything in amharic. they dont know the holidays and cant tell you where in ethiopia their parents come from. this, however, is not the fault of my parents. they have made several attempts (even enrolling them in amharic classes) to interest them, but still no interest. im sure someday in the future they will seek out and want to know about ethiopia and its rich cultures…as will these adopted kids.
i refuse to believe youre different somehow because you didnt grow up in ethiopia, as if that takes something away from your “ethiopian-ness”
fad or not, these kids are going to have a roof over their heads and opportunities that many others all over the world would kill for. so we should be grateful these kids are not on the streets of ethiopia, but rather in worm beds.
a friendly reminder : please note bernos is strickly against any political discussions of any kind. thank you. love you kecho
oh and i forgot please check this out…
Interesting! Really? Wow! That’s why you have an entire blog or two dedicated to the US elections? Is that because you are against any political discussion? Hum consistency would be refeshing.
Tsegure,
You know exactly what Meron meant.If you didnt, this might help:while discussing U.S. elections is political,it would in no way interfere with the conducive blog atmosphere so patientely and deligentely maintained by Meron, Nolawi and Co.You can only imagine how explosive discussing our politics in this forum might be.Be mindful of the fact that people of different persuation are talking here here in this blo only becuase of the kind of “rules of engagement” Meron was kind enough to remind us all of. Why do you think many other blogs phase out well before anyone knows anything about them? Besides there is no shoratge of blogs that cater to the politicaly minded,you only need to endure a barrage of insults and ugly name calling.Try and stick to the topic at hand as compulsive as discussing politics might be.And one more thing…Hum being not so sarcastic and more appreciative would be refeshing.
Comments Closed, tsegure I still want you to contact me through email.
Meron,
I think ur last post is a very simplistic way of looking at things with adoption.
On another note, I agree with no ethiopian politics here(if that´s wht you mean).It always ends up ugly.
Tsegure,
In fairness to the bernos crew, to understand why politics (specifically Ethiopian and/or eritrean politics)should not be discussed here, you can easily visit other websites where there r such discussions. After a couple comments, it easily turns into ugly name calling, ranting and totally unecessary hateful exchange.
If that happens here, it will be a turn off to me personally and a lot others
If anyone needs any evidence how things might turn out if we try and discuss politics here, one doesnt have to go far but review some of the entries in this very blog, with their not so subltle intolerance of others’views/ comments.They really provide a preview of what might befall us if we let them loose.
a friendly reminder: please note bernos is against any “Ethiopian” political discussion of any kind
spacefog—perhaps…
but i do think it’s that simple because of the trouble at hand. i think identity crisis(let say they will encounter this) is a small price to pay for the hardship they will otherwise be going through…no?
Meron,
Exactly my point, you are still looking at it in a simplistic manner. Identity is not a simple price to pay.
Ethiopian? Got it. kk for making it clear now. Now, you’re thinking. You don’t have to wait until you get wacked in the head. Think before yakking.
romans 13:8
Ere– my apologies, but i guess i figured it was within the context.
spacefog–im not trying to underplay the importance of one’s identity. but whats the alternative? let these kids be because one day they might need therapy?
besides one has to be alive first to have an identity crisis. so im saying these kids having a safe enviornment to grow up in is more important than their identification with their birth culture.