Hello world!
I am Juli Jeong Martin, formerly known as Hye Won Jeong. According to my file, I was born June 25, 1985 in Lee, South Korea.
I was adopted by white parents as an infant, arriving in JFK airport December 28, 1985. I lived until I was two and a half in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, and then moved to Summit, NJ where my parents still reside. I am the youngest of three children – a sister (7 years older than me) and a brother (10 years older than me). I am the only adopted child in my family. The town I grew up in was also overwhelmingly white, and I was very conscious of my difference.
I currently am a second third year college student at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, and the founder/editor of Grinding Up Stones: the Asian Adoptee ‘Zine.
It took me a long time, however, to discover myself as a part of Asian America. Although I’d struggled with the fact that I was told I was like everyone else (white) but treated differently, I’d never really developed a racial consciousness. Upon arriving at Oberlin College, however, that began to change. I soon came to see myself not only as a person of color but as a part of the Asian American community as well. I also met other adoptees and began having conversations about experiences and identity.
These conversations would shape the way I thought of myself and foster my entrance into the adoptee community. At the ripe old age of 21, I’d finally begun to figure out who and why I was. I feel like I came into my consciousness very late, despite knowing many older adoptees in the same situation. I hope to facilitate this discovery in other adoptees, young and old through my work with Grinding Up Stones.
In my (very rare) spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, crafting, writing and playing with my wonderful kitten, Cinnamon.
2 Comments
May 31, 2008 at 5:49 pm
As a prospective adoptive parent, this is a very helpful and insightful site. I thank each of you for having the courage and desire to share your personal experiences.
In reading the site, I get a sense of something that I have often feared….. does the demand for international adoption make the abandonment of children worse? Is my desire to adopt an Asian child helping the situation or making it worse? I know that no-one actually knows the answer to these questions, I just wondered from your prospectives how you feel about caucasions adopting Asian children in general.
Although we have waited several years for a child from China, I have often thought of withdrawing. I want so badly to nurture and care for an orphan in hopes of giving them a good life, but is what I can offer truly any better? Will she wish to have been adopted by an Asian family rather than some American family that looks so different?
I guess I’m hoping to hear something positive from an Asian adoptee that was adopted by a caucasian family.
Wishing you all happiness…
June 4, 2008 at 8:19 am
Hi,
First thank you so much for offering to answer questions from APs, it is very kind and thougtful to offer through this blog. I hate to ask questions to bloggers, on their personal blogs because I feel like that is over stepping bounds.
My question:
We live in one of the largest cities in Ky, with a University, the diversity is not where I would like it to be but if you look you can find it. We are considering moving, the thing that is holding me here, is that we have a wonderful Korean umc that we attend. They have taken us in and treated my little girl like one of their own children. They have taught me to use chop sticks and about culture etc. My daughter (adopted from Korea, 3 yr old) and my son (bio, 5 yo) attend Korean language school, mostly year round. We have made such wonderful friends and are so blessed to be a part of the community here. I guess my question is is it better to move where there is more diversity, but have to try to seek out another community like the one we have, where my children are comfortable. Or should we stay, I would like to know from your perspectives as adoptees what would you think is best.
thanks again,
Courtney