Sandra Bullock-Hollywood and ADOPTION

Aren’t we frustrated at times by the lack of attention that the orphan crisis is getting? When you think
 of the fact that there are 147 million orphans globally and more than ½ a million children in the foster care system in the US alone, well it is mind boggling to think of the ‘void’ in mothering, fathering, parenting that exists in the world. Those of us who have adopted internationally sometimes get frustrated when people come up to us and say “Are you trying to be like Brad and Angie?” I get asked that a lot with my 3 Ethiopian kids, one from Guatemala and two by birth. I have been known to take an attitude sometimes regarding Hollywood that is negative perceiving most Hollywood stars as superficial with their plastic surgeries and complaints over how many millions they are making. We are saddened about the premature deaths due to drug addiction or anorexia of young starlets like Britney Murphy. The Hollywood elite are dysfunctional, no doubt. But I have yet to meet a group that doesn’t have a ‘dysfunctional’ component.

This year the movie “Blindside” was released bringing excitement and pleasure to so many of us who have advocated for the kids in foster care, adoption of older kids and adoption in general. Last night I was so pleased to hear Sandra Bullock’s acceptance speech for her lead role in the movie:

“Here’s to the moms that take care of the children and babies-no matter where they come from.”

When we think of Hollywood and international adoption we automatically think only of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt or Madonna. Imagine what a powerful impact Hollywood could make if more movies were made like BLINDSIDE or if more power couples would venture to places like Ethiopia or Thailand to adopt. I like to imagine what impact a movie on HIV adoption would make or a film or of families with down syndrome babies? I am excited to watch now to see what happens when producers, directors, actors, film companies start usinghttp://www.thewrap.com/files/u3568/bullock.jpg their gifts to advocate for the cause of the orphan. I really really look forward to the day when Angelina and Brad are no longer an exception bhttp://www.thewrap.com/files/u3568/bullock.jpgut the rule. I look forward to the day when people don’t stop me on the street fascinated by the rarity of seeing a family like mine with 3 African children, one Hispanic child and two born via C-section. “Here’s to the moms!” I pray that the mothers who just happen to be in the public eye will opt to adopt in spite of the fact the critics will call it a trend. I personally wouldn’t mind if the latest trend would be saving children from living without parents. Oh..if only it were a trend…but when only a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of the number of orphans are adopted, it is hardly a trend. But I have a feeling we are going to start seeing the media used to promote this so called ‘trend’ big time..I really really hope so…….

Yay Sandra…thanks for remembering to spend a little bit of your 30 second speech on what matters, reminding people of the power of Mothering the World..Awesome!!!!