November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM). Often, initiatives executed during this month are meant to raise awareness regarding adoption-related issues, and to celebrate the formation of families through adoption. However, these efforts—in addition to the discourse surrounding adoption at large—often neglect to include an important voice . . . the adoptee voice.
This November, I am proud to be supported by The Rumpus in reclaiming National Adoption Awareness Month as National Adoptee Awareness Month by publishing essays about the adoptee experience, written by adoptees. Elevating the voices and experiences of fellow adoptees is a mission of mine, and it is a privilege to do so with The Rumpus‘s support.
The selected essays are raw, unrelenting, and painfully honest at times. They seek to challenge the dominant adoption narrative, and to provide insight into the lasting effects of relinquishment trauma. These essays, and their writers, will be sure to stay with you.
I’d like to take a moment to thank all the adoptees who submitted their essays for consideration, and hope they continue to share their stories. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Charmaine Arjoonlal, Michael Todd Cohen, Debbie DeWall, Michael Montlack, Na Mee, Kimberly Rooney, and Maery Rose for entrusting me with their work, and for sticking with me on this project. And lastly, thank you to The Rumpus for constantly being a champion of underrepresented voices.
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