"Johnson sympathizes with Madonna and other celebrities who've adopted African babies, saying cross-cultural and cross-continental adoption is fine as long as it's done in a genuine manner.
"The bottom line if someone wants to and it's sincere, it's not a publicity stunt or whatever -- why not?" she says. "If you look at Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, he's adopted her two little ones prior to her having her own in Namibia. Now that's sincerity as far as I'm concerned."
But dozens of Malawi's human rights groups are taking legal action as a boy that Madonna is trying to adopt there, 13-month-old David Banda, has been flown out of the country accompanied by her bodyguard."
There is definitely some amount of falsity in the idea of using adoption as a publicity stunt, and I wouldn't agree with that at all, but in leu of the many celebrities such as Bono, or Oprah, helping to rid the world of poverty, I see recent attempts as beautiful acts of kindness. This article adds also that Madonna is donating a generous sum of money to the country in order to build an Orphan Center. I think the adoption rings louder, personally. There's a great difference in giving money than taking personal care of a child in desparate need of guidance and medical assistance. I'm sure those human rights groups would have accepted her money in a heartbeat, but money doesn't give children homes or caring guardians.
The article also talks about the effects of interracial adoption has on children. I'll tell you what, that may be true, and I'm sure David will have his own problems to deal with, but in the end, your personality is shaped by the people who raise you, and if your adoptive parents are caring and supportive indivduals, your identity crisis will be not much different than the crisises experienced by almost every teenager.
At any rate, I'm wondering. What do you all think of this? Do you think it's just a publicity stunt, or do you think the stars have the children's best interest in mind??
Publicity stunt.
Weather its a publicity stunt or a heartfelt act, these children are still being brought into wealthy homes where(hopefully) they will be loved and cared for.... my one complaint is that we see soooo many stars adopting from overseas, yes they do live in deplorable conditions, but so do most of the children in America's fostercare system, I think that we should have some kind of unspoken rule that says a celebrity that adopts a child from overseas should also adopt an American one as well, and not neccesarily a baby, there are way to many teens in the fostercare/orphanage system right now, babies are almost always adopted, but a 12 year old who has lost their parents is very likely to stay in the system untill they turn 18, at which point they either go to college, or try to begin a life without the support of a family and often a strong net of friends
You have complaint about so many stars adopting children from overseas, so yes, it does matter. The reason celebrities are not adopting Americans is that baby Americans will not be as exotic as children from overseas. It's a part of their publicity stunt.
I personally wouldn't be happy if I were one of these children, especially if I was adopted because my adoptive parent was trying to look good or attract more fans, not because he/she really loved me.
I can not understand why people would be so upset about Madonna adopting. The child has not only the chance to have a spectacular life with some one like Madonna and always be taken care of, but he can live, and grow, and be healthy. He has a way out and no one should try to take that from him!!
I think its ok for celebrities to adopt orphans...African or not...but they should have to go through the adoption process just like everyone else...so many people adopt children and they don't get credit for it like celebrities get...and why can't these celebrities adopt American kids? So many American children don't ahve homes...what wrong with them?
.:Chanson Tia:.
A lot of celebrities have adopted kids in the country, including Tom Cruse, Sharon Stone and Mia Farrow. You just don't here about them because it is much more interesting to hear about someone adopting from a foreign countries. Personally, I think Madonna got a lot of negative comments about doing a very positive thing.
I think its okay for celebrities to adopt African ophans because its like they're teaching them to like people of other races and to become outgoing people.