Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib

As a white sister of an African American boy adopted in 1970,a mother of two Ethiopian children and a soical woker creating multiracially families I have to say this is the most true,painful and amazing book I have read. I painfully made my way through the book for the first time truly understanding the depth of my brother's experience. Wanting to deny what Jaiya was sharing but knowing he was right. Remembering too many painful moments for my brother. However,celebrating the progress we have made and the changes I have made as a mother of black children but also agonizing over the changes we have not made.... It is now required reading for all of my families wanting to adopt across the racial lines.

As someone who works with adoptive families, I can say that this book is just the kind of truthful, balanced story adoptive families need to be exposed to. The review dated July 3, 2006 must be from a person who did not truly read this book, at least not with an open spirit. There is absolutely no bitterness or negativity in this book. The author is piercingly honest about what he felt and thought AS A CHILD. This should not be confused with his adult perspective. The entire book is a loving testimony to the devoted love of his adoptive family and the very human fragility we all carry within our relationships. Jaiya John absolutely does not conclude anything negative from his experience. Just the opposite, he finds a higher meaning in the purpose and circumstance of his life and his belonging within his family. Anyone who has heard this author speak publically understands that he exudes an incredible level of peace, compassion, and open-heartedness and that he and his adoptive family are close. This book is devoted to sharing one child's truth in a way that should open us all to the truth within every child, including the child within us. Well written, insightful, and full of humor, appreciation, and a hopeful message for families.

I laugh. I shake my head and feel kinship. I cry and take long walks. I sigh and realize my parents didn't know how to protect me-it wasn't malice. I get why I am the way I am. 36 years of baggage is disappearing. I am so thankful that Jaiya John wrote his story and that I was lead to it. I marvel at the similarities in our circumstances that I thought only I owned. I have a new level of understanding about why I do the things I do to this day. It is such a relief to me that after all these years there is proof that I wasn't making up stories about feeling lost and alone. This book have given me a self-assurance I never had before and because of it I walk in the world differently because I know I deserve to. Conversations about my life are being spoken. I got an apology from my biological father...and felt peace. People have no idea how much this book has changed my life.

Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib by Dr. Jaiya John touched my soul. It is a journey into the world of a child who was a stranger surrounded by well meaning adoptive parents who were unable to reach the depth of his heart and soul. As you read his book, you move through the depth of a range of emotions and emerge with a hope that armed with sensitivity and knowledge, there is a future for the children caught up in the system. Prior to adopting my first child 25 years ago, I read a book about the account of an adoptee. That story enabled me to prepare myself for how my children might feel being adopted. Dr. John's book is the "Transracial Adoption Bible" sorely needed in this arena. As a transracial adoptive parent, adoption worker and trainer, "Black Baby" has become required reading for those families that I work with or train who desire to parent transracially. When I train prospective aodptive parents, all of them indicate that they want the best for their children. If we look at ourselves honestly, we realize we cannot be everything to our child. Jaiya's poignant life journey compels us to shed our color-blind ideas and recognize we live in a race conscious society that will see color and react according to preconceived notions. We cannot protect our children forever; we must give them the tools to survive in this society. For those who have or are considering adopting transracially, once you read "Black Baby", you will have walked in Jaiya's shoes and you cannot help but come away enlightened and armed with the knowledge you need to do right by the children you love so much. Thank you, Jaiya, for sharing your soul. We need you in this field "It takes a whole village to raise a child."

I am a single white mother of an adopted black daughter living in a small, predominately white, southern town. As Jaiya's life journey unfolded across the pages, I heard my daughter's voice speak to me from her crib. The words I heard were my fears that keep me awake at night. By sharing his life, Jaiya brings to light the responsibility that we (as adults who have chosen a transracial family) have to embrace, respect, love and consiously integrate the culture, origin of birth and race of our children. Thank you Jaiya for courageously speaking for our children. May their lives be blessed.