Pamela, 4 years old, is in foster care. Her file says her birth mother was African American and
her birth father was Latino. It identifies her as “Black/African American” and she looks African
American. She has never known her parents. Pamela’s friends in preschool are Latino, and she
tells them that she is too and pretends to speak Spanish. Her foster parents are African
American. They want to support her in the best way possible but are not sure how to. They want
to talk with Pamela about this issue, which has come up a number of times at home and at
school. They ask you to give them ideas on how to handle this important issue.
What would you tell Pamela’s foster parents?
Max and Tina, a White couple, adopted a 2½-year-old girl from China, whom they named Jean.
One day Jean is still finishing snack when her parents come to pick her up. You have a few
minutes to chat with them. You mention that they now have a “multiracial” family. They are quick
to respond: “There aren’t any differences—she’s American now, like us.” . . . “Jean doesn’t see
race; and we see everyone as equals, so we’re not making it an issue.”
Do you agree with Max and Tina’s views? Why or why not? How would you respond?
Jilly and Sam are playing on the outdoor climbing structure. Jilly says, “Sammy, who is your
mommy?” Sam looks upset because he has been asked this questions many time before and
says, “You know my mommy, she brought the cupcakes yesterday.” Jilly replies, “She can’t be
your mommy; she’s white, and you’re brown.” Sam starts to cry. One of the teachers overhears
the conversation and comes quickly over. She squats down at Sam’s eye level, puts her arm
around him, and pats him a couple of times. He stops crying. “Look,” she says enthusiastically,
“Miss Diane is setting up a new activity in the yard, Let’s all go try it out.”
Would you have handled this situation between Jilly and Sam differently? Why or why not?