AI&I: Questionnaire

Katrina

Where are you adopted from?

Xiamen, China

What is your definition of identity in your own words?

My definition of my identity is that it changes depending on what I want to be seen as, and what I feel like.

Why is identity important?

Because it can help you get a small sense of who you are, which is very important to me as an adoptee.

What do you identify as? Why?

Race-wise, I identify as many things, Asian, Asian American, Chinese, and just American.

What plays into your identity?

Race plays a huge role in my identity, some people see me as Asian, others see me as being more white (my adoptive family's heritage) and pretty much every person plays a role too.

How do you connect to your heritage/culture?

When I was younger I could tell you everything about China, the great wall, and pandas. I've forgotten some of that information, bit I could recall a lot if someone asked me to. We celebrate Lunar new year and Autumn moon. We took a trip back when I was nine.

How do you feel about the way your race or culture is portrayed in the media?

I think it could be portrayed a lot more, and they should be more accurate.

What stereotypes have you faced? How did you deal with them?

Many Asian stereotypes, I usually respond with asking, "are you ____ because of your race?"

Do you think you were abandoned or placed for adoption?

I was abandoned.

If you had the chance to meet your birth parents, what would you ask, say, and/or do?

I really think that I would either have a panic attack,be so overcome with emotion that I can not say anything at all for a bit, or start crying.

Would you adopt? Why or why not?

Yes. There are too many kids out there that need loving homes, it is painful to give birth, and these kids need it.\

Do you talk openly about adoption? When and why?

I am working on telling more people that I trust about my adoption.

Do you have any adoptive friends?

I have many adoptive friends, my family belonged to a group of families who adopted, and many friends online are adopted. We are here to give advice and remind each other that we are not alone.

What's your opinion on adoption?

It should be spoken about more. It should be more known, and if an adoptee wants to and if it is possible, laws should be made so it is easier to contact people in adoptees' past lives.

What are the positive and negative effects of adoption?

The pros and cons run together. Pros of being adopted- being special, having experiences that only an adoptee would know, having two special days to celebrate how special you are.Cons- feeling out of place, traumatic experiences, and it making you different.

What is your advice to other adoptees?

Speak up, don't be afraid, think of how strong you are, knowledge your past, know that you are special and loved by two families.