Several folks on my facebook feed this past week linked to The Race Card Project that was created by journalist Michele Norris. For The Race Card Project, people are encouraged to describe their experience of race using only six words. The submissions are powerful and heartbreaking and uplifting. I read through several pages of them and found myself at times nodding my head in affirmation and sometimes surprised (in both good and bad ways) by what was submitted.
Norris' The Race Card Project is not the first "Six Word" idea. I've participated in a local one for my city and neighborhood, and the first one I heard about was the Smith Six-Word memoirs.
It made me think that maybe it would be interesting to have an adoption version of the Six Word Project.
So here it goes – what would be your six word description of adoption from your experience? Please put them in the comments.
I'll start it off with what I submitted for The Race Card Project because it sums it up my thoughts about adoption and race simlilarly.
I AM NOT YOUR CHARITY PROJECT.
Ok, your turn.
Harlow's Monkey 
My kids aren’t lucky, I am!
I’m tired of existing outside boundaries.
Daily thoughts, monthly skypes, yearly visits
Yes, they are “my own” children.
Sitting in paradox right along with him.
(with credit to Jane Jeong Trenka)
Oops, extra word in there.
Sitting in paradox along with him.
Legitimate half orphan bastardized by adoption.
I don’t fit in anywhere. Ever.
No child should ever be abandoned.
(This was one I submitted a few years ago to the Minneapolis 6-word project)
Forever between, the total me unseen.
It’s messy, but I have family.
This has been on my mind for the past few days, so …
I reject rejection. I exist. Deal.
Two mothers,one love; grief,joy
1. Happiness at the expense of adoptees?
2. Happiness at the expense of birthparents?
From an anonymous adoptive parent (posted with permission)
During graduate school, I worked as a research assistant where I interviewed adopted children and their parents. One child’s response (which happens to be six words) has stuck with me many years later. The young child explained adoption like this.
“It’s living where you don’t belong.”
No more unicorns. Human rights violations!
Open adoptees’ original birth certificates NOW!
Children do not stay children forever.
My broken family breaks me daily.
Post adoption, don’t forget about us.
Adapt adoption policy as adoption changes.
They bought me into their dysfunction.
Responses from my twitter request #6wordadoption:
My daughter is entitled to anger – amydcubbage aka madmommamoogacat
Walk with me on this journey – mumdrah
Navigating the knife edge of dilemma – mumdrah
Sacrifice. Hurt. Blessings. Amazing. Friendships. Love. – lauragbutler
Legitimate half orphan bastardized by adoption – forbidden family
More family,support,love changing perspective – RandomMusing23
Surreal, but I remain me throughout – mscathyanne
Not an orphan, didn’t need saving. (My son, but I can’t cram that in.)- kallistimn
Two crazy families instead of one? – nicolecallahan
Love takes work. It’s worth it!
Jamal Salim got more than Coke-a-colas
For love or for love of controling
I didn’t need them to redeem me
Separation was not a onetime event.
Adoption should be a last resort.
Listen, love will NEVER be enough!
This body colonized by white people.
anonymous six word. . . from adoptee in 30 year reunion
Never Good Enough. No REAL Family.
can’t resist –
I Exist. Fuck Off Prudish Abandoners.
Listen! Adoptees are screaming their truth.
I wish I knew his scent.
I made a tragic, permanent decision.
She should be living with us.
Crisis thinking = poor permanent decision making.
Pain in ALL sides of adoption
Listen to adoptees and update laws!
Secrecy in adoption pains the soul
Falsified birth certificate means always adopted
my heart yearns for her daily
Thought I was fine. Now what?
You are the best mother ever.
Savior experiment that went terribly wrong
Please can I know you now.
Please remember I’m a mom too
Adoption separates children from their families
birthadoptee violated my right to adopt
Don’t keep our identities a secret!
RIGHT to adopt??? No such thing!
My life rocks! Thank you, moms!
Still struggling to claim my story.
Terrified and alone, I gave up.