You really cant compare poverty in africa to poverty in america. I know schools in africa where there are 150 children PER CLASS. They have to share pencils and books! If the teacher doesnt come to class they get sent home there is no-one else to teach! They have no electricity!

It is always sad that there are children who are orphaned or abandoned but America can financially support these children - they will not starve and die.

It is well documented that Madonna has wanted another child, but it seems that she is now too old to conceive one herself so she has adopted and good on her she has chosen to take a child out of povery and raise it among her family. I dont like the way she has gone about it but she seems well intentioned

ok how about us black folks adopting white kids…. thats not going to happen is it. What im saying is its too easy for rich white folks to come and take up our black kids coz they think they nanny could do a better job than we can.
so what happens when they get fed up? and whos gonna show them how to deal with skincare???

It is a sudden interest because of who is doing it. You can’t make something a celebrity stunt if the media doesn’t report on it. I am sure that before Madonna adopted this child very few Americans (black and white) knew where Malawi was and what was going on there.
I want to ask a question here to all the black Americans on this blog if Madonna had adopted a black American baby would there be a problem with that in the black community?
I think the issue here for many people on this blog is not that she adopted a child but that the child is black. One has to admit that if it is the primary reason why it is upsetting people then it is a very selfish reason.

Do you hear yourselves? White celebs should be adopting children in the US before going outside the country because charity starts at home?! What kind of nonsense is that? You’ve basically just cast away the remaining orphaned children in this world. Do you realize that without these publicized adoptions most people in this country wouldn’t even be aware of the conditions of these countries and how those people live?

Also, Madonna does not live in the US she lives in England with her husband and children. So, by some of the comments made here, she should be adopting an English child before going to Africa to adopt a child there.

Now, if these white celebs were adopting in Russia, Romania, Slovenia, etc., then no doubt black people would be crying racism because they’re adopting white children when there are so many black children who need homes. They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

Can’t let anyone be happy, can we? Gotta drag `em down to make ourselves feel better. We ain’t doing shit…I know I don’t have it to be adopting a child. Do you?

Londonlady - why couldn’t black people adopt a white child? A child in need is a child in need. You’re gonna tell me that if you wanted to adopt a child and all that was available were white children you would turn them down because they were white? That’s inexcusable.

And as for skincare…much like you learned to take care of your own skin these white mothers will ask the necessary questions to find out what product is right for their child. White people are attacked because they don’t know how to take care of a black child’s hair or skin right off the bat. Does a black woman immediately know how to take care of a white child’s skin or hair? Or do they have to figure it out first by asking questions and experimenting with products?

C’mon…stop being superficial.

everyone should just be happy that these kids who r being adopted have better hope for a future. An orphan in America has better chances of success that an orphan in Africa. I don’t think celebs should look at their own country and adopt american kids who obviously have it a lot better than many african children. they should keep doin what their doin. fuk the white trend accessory bullshyt, y do we always have to find negative in a positive thing?

I think Madonna (and I am NOT a huge fan) was trying to keep it low key, but she is Madonna, so how can it not get out.

I agree with Siobhan ….if a child has access to a better life…I think it is a good thing.

@ ORACLE: I am usually a positive person and I dont like to take it to the gutter….but “BITCH who the FUCK are you to come in here with that BULLSHIT…this is a message board..some people are even using their Treo’s, cell phones, and other devices to post…so dont come up in here acting like a 4th grade teach…..DUMB BITCH!”

Sorry you’ll…I promise not to go there again…

Well why can’t madonna or angela jolie move to these areas of Africa instead and help build them up rather than bringing them to America to dress them up in designer clothes. There is the cultural side to consider aswell. There are African’s who are doing alot to help their people but the news wont report that because that wont sell. Maybe these white celebrities feel that they race owes something to these countries, I dont know. There are so many orphaned African children but I think something needs to be done in the country they are in rather than taking them out. On the otherhand It would be nice to think that the children can keep their identity and then hopefully one day do well enough to help the countries the originate from.

Lilly, it is really obvious that you are really dumb, because if you really read what I wrote I was simply defending Black Americans to #66 which is Precious.

And dont you ever come on this board and say you’re a positive person and call another woman a bitch. If you gonna come at somebody, do it all the way.

Oh and f**k you and the dumb bich that had you, too.

I’m sooo glad you posted this because I was just talking about this last week! I know a lot of these kids need good homes, and in the end that’s all that should matter. . .But Hollywood kills me with the bandwagon BS. I think it’s ridiculous and even insulting that now it’s “in” to adopt black kids and go to Africa. WTF. Although some people like Angelina have been involved in helping other countries and people for a long time now, they are the exceptions, everybody else needs to sit their asses down. So now I’m gonna like you and your music/movies more or think you are the worlds greatest humanitarian now that you have a black child? Something like this should not be a trend. That’s sick.

Winona’s daughter says: “I’d like a black sister or brother,” like their picking out a puppy or something??? lol

Why don’t you see black celebs helping Africa or doing charity????

Because black celebs don’t get mainstream media attention! Period!

Look at someone like Danny Glover, he’s been an amazing activist for years. He funds and is on the board of an organization that focuses EXCLUSIVLY on policy issues concerning the African Disapora. Years ago long before George Clooney (who i love) was in Dafur they lobbied congress on the issue of slavery in Darfur and Mauritania. They when on a hunger strike during the Haitain boat crisis and have been involved w/ latin american politics as it relates to black people. He’s done some amazing work!

But white celebrities just get more attention. Unless your oprah, your a nobody in mainstram America. There are alot of black celebs who do charity abroad and often time right here in the neighborhoods they came from.

Look at all the black people who adopt drug addicated babies from Hale House in Harlem? You don’t have to be a celbrity to make a difference.

ORACLE:

I am 20 years old; I am attending prestigious 4 year university on a FULL scholarship. I am a SENIOR double majoring in Chemistry and Political Science. So NO, I am NOT dumb!

But anyway…. smoochies! Dont make my man, BOUGA come after you!

IMO, a child that lives here in the US has more opp than a child in Africa. So why not adopt a child in Africa. Yes I know we have to take care of home, but plz our own president don’t take care of us first. We have billions for war but healthcare prices are out the roof, and most can’t afford it. I think the rich adopt in other countries cause they have the means to. The average person can adopt here in the states, but they don’t. BTW I was born in a third world country, you have not seen poverty until you experience it.

On a lighter note, Britney Spears do not need to bring not more kids into her crazy ass life.

I hear what all of you are saying, but the truth of the matter is: We, as Black Americans, are not doing our part to take care of our own…PERIOD!!

I work in the state government system where I live, and just like anywhere else, guess which race has the highest number of kids in the system? Black Americans.

I am constantly outraged at what we have allowed ourselves to become and watch/hear people get mad when someone tries to make them accountable for their own actions–WHEN IS THIS GOING TO STOP? When are we going to stop being selfish and stop living by the creed “I gots to get mine”?

Do you really understand what these white celebrities are saying when they are adopting African children? They are saying: “Why should we adopt American children when Black Americans should take care of their own?”

We really COULD take care of our own, but I’m disgusted everyday when I hear black mothers or families have the absolute nerve to demand that the government give them money to take their own blood relative into their home? The money is for foster and adoptive families who foster or adopt a child. There are always exceptions to every rule, but I hear and see the absolute ruthlessness of black parents, on a daily basis, who won’t take in a relative unless they’re being paid; Who will drop their own children off to DFCS b/c “they just can’t handle a child anymore”, yet they’re still having babies. WHEN ARE WE, ONE PERSON AT A TIME, GOING TO STEP UP AND HELP OUR OWN COUNTRY? Black America….wake your behinds up!

Black babies are the new fad. Back when I was young the new fad was Cabbage Patch Kids. Maybe if enough black people band together and buy Cabbage Patch kids, the fad will switch from buying black kids to buying stuffed babies.

Just a thought…

well my felow african americans step yo game up and adopt our kids so they can have a better life a better education i wanna see my black pepole do somethin with their lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate to say to make this comment about my own folks and I think the current phenomenon may have a hint of celebrity trend syndrome.

However, Black people (including our celebrities) seem too busy getting knocked up out of wedlock to adopt anyone’s children. Think I’m being harsh? Look at Eddie and Mel B. Totally uncalled for! What happened to responsible sex practices?

If Madonna, Angelina Jolie, and Britney Spears are willing to love a child and rescue them from poverty, I’m all for it. We and Africa need to capitalize on celeb interest now, ebcause you know they change their minds every five months or so,lol.

I think its a beautiful thing. These celebrities are providing a better life for a child, how can anyone think that’s a bad thing?

Its there lives and we shouldn’t critize anyone who opens there doors to an orphaned child. #83 both Madonna & Angelina were making contributions before they got their kids, they shouldn’t have to move there. Designer clothes beats no clothes anyday. I guess you feel he should be forced to endure a life of disease & poverty because that’s what he was born into.

#6 that little boys father didn’t want him, he even said that after his mother died he could not care for the child. Its not like Madonna went over there and snatched a child from his own father. I’ll bet there are plenty of American men who knew that their children were put up for adoption and did nothing to stop it.

I can’t believe there are Black people up here saying Fuck Africa! What is wrong with ya’ll. Children are dying all over the world from povery and disease and its a serious issue that should’nt be ignored.

And if anyone famous or not wants to bring one of these children into their homes, good for them.

There are lots of Black philanthropists who contribute and unfortunately it isn’t recognized in the media, but I don’t think it matters to them that it wasn’t broadcasted on the 6pm news. Giving to others is about the satisfaction you feel within yourself, not about getting patted on the back for what you’ve done.

I don’t think its a Hollywood trend, I think they are bringing much needed attention to the povery that these children have to face on a daily basis.

Some of ya’ll are ignorant as hell. Its about giving back when you can, its selfish for us to think that Black orphans in America deserve more than African orphans. Someone earlier said it best…..a child in need is a child in need.

Its sad to say, but there are Black celebs who arent even supporting their biological children. Its messed up that when a couple of white celebs adopt Black kids its a big damn deal. Who cares?

People should simply mind their own business or open their own doors.

I meant to add that Wynona should have her ass kicked for those comments. She seems to want a black child just so her kid can have a “black brother or sister”…that bitch is crazy.

I think Madonna & Angelina’s desire to help is genuine.

This on been going on for years. I lived in China for a years. Whites have been going there adopting Chinese girls since the late 70s. So it happening with africa now, let them give the children better lives. Hell Mia Farrow has adopted 13 kids of all races and creed since the 80s.

i’m definitely one of those ppl that thought that gettin these kids from africa must be the new trend. i was almost expecting paris hilton to be one of the new ppl to run out and get one. but with that being said i had to stop myself and think of what angelina and some of these other celebreties are doing. i’m not sure if i would have the strength and courage to adopt a child let alone a child from a different culture/race. i would definitely want to have my own because that is wat is instilled in us as women. if ppl feel that they can take care of these children and offer them a better life regardless of what their background is then more power to them. it takes a love of self and others to adopt.

Wow!!!!! Man, as An African (by the way of Namibia), let me just tell you that in my own country its not just outside charities that help, we HAVE our own organisations, women that adopt and foster children, in case you dont know, Namibia has a population of 1.8 mill people, many of which are now AIDS orphans, whose parents have died, so they are either left to be raised and taken care of by the Grandmothers, we dont have a system like America. We try our best, and we do a damn good job. Another point, not ALL Africans want to be American, please get that idea out of your heads, we want a better life, yes, we want our Children to survive, yes, we want an EDUCATION for our children!!!!!! Not ALL Africans are raping our own women, in fact, EVEN in Africa, in some parts WOMEN, prostitue themselves in order for their Children to survive and eat and drink water.I am not standing up for them, but am explaining the situation. Some people here think that ALL AFRICANS ever do is beg and ask for help, what you dont know is that some at home HELP OUT FIRST, beofe seeking outside help. SHIT, AFRICANS help out our own first, DID AMERICA help out RWANDA; Angola and other countries? Were are these people now?
in SOUTHERN AFRICA, as Refugees!!!!!!!!!!!

People, keep talking of the MotherLand, what are you doing for your MOTHERLAND? If you truely knew my people - then you would know that ALL HELP is welcome no matter what colour the skin of the hand is that reaches out.

I say, Fashion Accessory….A Black African kid is the new “platinum”! Dayum shame.

I dont like it. It’s like black children are the new “exotic” pets of the moment to these white celebs. Madonna even sent her assistant to pick up the lil boy. ASSISTANT to get your CHILD. Come on people this madness has to stop. Yes they;ll spoil them and give them great lives but they need to have a strict screening before they adopt so it’s know they are adopting for more than a prize piece to sow around. “Oh look at Malik, black babies are so cute, look at that hair, its like wool” You know thas the ignorant shit the celebs friends will talk about.

and after all of that Oprah still hasn’t adopted? Quincy Jones never adopted,etc? We are just now caring about Darfur? smh…these are people not trends and when we start paying attention to our problems, trust they’ll get put on hold..again. to me it seems like Black& White people are afraid of the commitment to help US kids. This way, if they fail, they don’t have to “see” it, when they go to grocery store and its out of sight, on the other side of the world.

I believe Wynonnas daughter has no sense of Reality.She is a child though. I am curious to see how difficult an adoption would be for Wynonna does she have a couple Drunk driving bruises in her closet and also a documented history of depression. I bet a healthy bank account would clear that right up.

damn supernova tell em how you really feel
lol

proof:http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/wynonnajuddmug1.html

and, why do I think “Mommy, Dearest” everytime that I hear these newscasts about celebs adopting blk African children? This is Bananas…ppl say that the reason they choose to go overseas is because in the US, you the process for adopting children is strenuous, meticullous, and often times very draining…well guess what???!!! YOUR ASS IS ABOUT TO COMMIT TO A LIFETIME ENDEAVOR WITH AN INNOCENT, UNSUSPECTING CHILD THAT WILL SHAPE HIS/HER FUTURE FOREVER!

Let’s see: (I am only using Angelina Jolie b/c she is the only one who has avidly adoptd children from Afirca that has been in the news)
***The following conversation is NOT real….***

American Agency (AMA): So, is it Mrs. Jolie?
AJ: No
AMA: Oh ,so you’re NOT married?
AJ: No, but I do have a live-in companion whom I am in love with.
AMA: I see. So, we are looking for someone to provide stability.
AJ: Oh yea. I ALWAYS bring my nanny on the road as we travel the world for publicity—I mean acting jobs.
AMA: Okay….If there were a problem with Zahara, how would you handle it?
AJ: Well, most of the time, our nanny will be with her, but Im confident that Brad and I could handle her.
AMA: and what if Brad leaves you?
AJ: HE WONT!
AMA: You;ve shown questionable behavior in the last few years…we dont want our kids placed in homes where they may be negatively influence.
AJ: FUCK YOU MAN, I DONT HAVE TO TAKE THIS SHIT…DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM????? (leaves)
AMA: APPLICATION DENIED!

African Agency (AFA): So, you want to adopt Zahara
AJ: Yes, I can provide a good life for her.
AFA: Your behavior is recent years has been questionable.
AJ: I have money and I can give Zahara a wealthy life so that she will come back later and contribute to her people.
AFA: APPLICATION APPROVED.

EXTREME…I know, but VERY SAD!

I don’t understand what the problem is.

If a Couple is willing to adopt a child, why is this an issue ???

People who have money & resources do things that normal people can’t get accomplished.

The thing that you should consider is THE CHILD.

THE CHILD will be happy just to be out of the Orphanage, and to be held…

This is a WIN WIN scenario, all around…

ok im gonna post and keep it moving because i can tell where this board is gonna end up:
blk american VS. blk african

@ novalism
you said it best, why sit up on this board discussing motives lets just wait and see what happens…before judging anything
your post was simple and to the point i can appreciate that

@ karen
angelina had a baby out of wedlock last i checked and madonna has two baby daddies (she had her daughter out of wedlock to boot) so um whats your point…

on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 @ 10:33 am

jRight said:
——————————————————————————–

This on been going on for years. I lived in China for a years. Whites have been going there adopting Chinese girls since the late 70s. So it happening with africa now, let them give the children better lives. Hell Mia Farrow has adopted 13 kids of all races and creed since the 80s.

Bill Said:

People also have been going over to Vietnam for YEARS adopting children….

Africa may now be the “Flavor of the month”, but who cares about the person’s ulterior motive…

Ultimatly, the CHILD will have a BETTER LIFE as a Result !!

And my final point: If you feel compelled to COMPLAIN, then I hope you feel as compelled to MAKE A CHANGE.

I don’t have the budget or resouces to adopt.
But I applaud anyone that does !!

Peace

I really do Not see the problem either! Someone called these kids the new “black pet”?? what the hell is that????
NO one ever pays attention to the destruction in Africa, no one paid attention with Rawanda nobody paid attention when the genocide in Darfur started happening a long time ago.THere are very few people who pay attention, and right now the celebrities are bringing attention to the needs there. You have Oprah, Angelina, George Clooney, and even the Clintons making a noise about the troubles here. Oprah has been helping for years so has Angie, and George clooney and The clintons are making a big voice for Darfur!! At least someone is trying to help. these woman are trying to adopt these kids out of a living hell!!!

I honestly don’t have a problem with African children being adopted. I also agree with # 56. Very well written. What I don’t agree with is Africans coming on this site and thinking it’s alright to talk about Black Americans. First of all your ignorance is overwhelming. Do you honestly think that if you took your ass outside a white person is going to see you any different then what you are. BLACK! I don’t give a damn where your from your BLACK! Don’t ever get it twisted! The main reason you talk about Black Americans is from your guilt of selling us to the whites. So your more real because your from Africa? This is what I mean when I say the world is so twisted. If you have a problem with Black Americans stay your black ass home! It’s no secret that every nationality hates us! But why? And it’s not because you think we’re lazy and don’t want to accomplish anything. It goes deeper than that. I’m a Black American women and I wouldn’t want to be in any other country than the one I’m in right now. I’m glad they brought my ancestors over here. I’m proud of my people and what they have done for us. I work in a very prestigous Brokerage Firm and I have one African friend that works with me. He told me himself that Africans don’t like Black Americans and they are very arrogant and rude and I belive it because I’ve experienced it. Any of you judging all Black Americans are ignorant. Your not god! I honestly don’t care how you feel about me because I’m doing what I’m suppose to do and I’m living a very happy life. I don’t complain about shit. I make it happen. This shit pissed me off because everyone hates us. Could there be some Envy there? I think so. Say what you want but I love my people fuck the ones that don’t. Just because the situation is bad in Africa doesn’t mean that the children here in the US don’t need help. How many African’s here adopt U.S. Black children. They don’t even like us. They don’t respect us. They will go with the white man before they help us and we are the same people. Your skin is the same as mine if not darker and you think whites give a shit about your black ass. Think again. I live this shit everyday. The darker you are the more hate filled they become.

@109, Not all Africans Are BLACK.

Webster/Different Strokes syndrome
Whites get the publicity because they own the major publishing houses….like duh….
Can’t hate on anyone who tries to improve a child’s future…despite motive(seriously questioning Madonna’s, makes me scared to have my nieces and nephews walk around…MADONNA DON’T COME TO THE CARIBBEAN)….I rather the scrutiny(publicity) of celebrities than the other side of the adoption where white men adopt young boys from third world countries and take them to the US for their sick paedophile life….that needs publicity….kick up against that.
There some African Americans who don’t understand their heritage so I wouldn’t comment on having white parents suppose to mess u up…as an adult they can take responsibiliy for that lapse.
Those who insist on Africa causing their own problems…please take a look at the ’superpower’ nations foreign policy and the ‘help’ Africa gets in terms of weapons supporting dictators and threat of restricting trade. Don’t hate on the Africans coming to your country and doing better than you (as #56 wrote).
Lastly, for those who insist that charity begins at home…..please CL post a link so they could find out information on adopting or charity program they could get involve in…less time spent reading blogs.

Loddypopper…I believe the word is HOLY …..

I belive it’s all for show or to ease there Conscience. I have seen Madonna look at Oprah in a prejudice way while on her show one time. Why dont they go to the ghetto’s right here in America and adopt what about the issues right here, or go into those areas period and show support to the black community.To mother’s who have left children behind while serving time in prison? It could make a difference in the way they turn out and our future crime rate! (Not saying Africa doenst need OUR help)
But the star’s have a financial advantage over most.

http://www.npr.org/templa...story.php?storyId=4143753

Ok I do feel that black children are “the new fashion accessory” and this is sad because no one gave a dam about them before Angelina Jolie.

Now every white person and their mother is hoping on a plane to Africa. Get outta here. Oh now let’s go help the poverty stricken kids cause Angelina is, gimmie a dam break.

And Britney effen Spears! are you effen kiddin’ me, it should be against the law for her to adopt anything!

@MzThikness, all I can say is Preach! Agree totally.
@Supernova, this is a message board sweetheart, a place where folks can post their opinions, and opnions are like assholes, everybody’s got one. You think its cool that Madonna and Angelina want to adopt black babies, good say that. But just because someone differs in their opinion on the subject doesn’t mean that they aren’t doing anything to help another or as you call them “dumb fucks”. So why don’t you slither your ignorant ass back over to Perez Hilton or at least take your own advice and STFU.

I see nothing wrong with adoption but, I don’t think Madonna is a true person, something doesn’t feel right in my gut….and you know, you HAVE to go with your gut instinct. I don’t think I would have had a problem if she took a more supportive role in the continent in the beginning of her career. She does not strike me as a Concerned person with a lot of history in regards to different cultures…Neither Jolie. Can any of them name 4 civil rights leaders? Do they know what amendment freed the slaves? Gave us the right to vote? Can they name 3 black authors of whoms work they admire, other than Fredrick Douglas? Maybe I can because I have a M.S. degree, but it shouldn’t matter. I really want to see how this child turns out in 10- 15 years. All, I am saying is, in order for someone to be an accountant, they need to take math. In order for you to be a dancer, you need rhythm. I don’t think her husband was down with this at all. He could have had sex with a black woman and had a baby…we’ll see……..

The question still remains, WHY AREN’T OUR PEOPLE DOING MORE TO HELP OUR CHILDREN?

You guys named Oprah and Alicia. Great, that’s 2 people. Where is everybody else?

And yes there are many missionaries in Africa helping black children but Angelina was the highly publicized celebrity that did it, to add to my previous comment

yea i think angelina was a little more focused and sincere because she always made moves to adopt abroad. but madonna is definately copying something she obviously cant be as sincere. to her is seems she rushed in with her mill and took off with a baby. not cool. i dont see her being a good mom to a black baby, her kids are other races like the jolie i just have a problem believing she is doing this for any thing other than publicity. but the kids if nothing else will have a life of privledge

To whom much is given….much is required. I may not have a million dollar salary (yet) but I do what I can in as much as helping the African- American experience. I contribute to UNICEF, NAACP (member), black colleges, I would love to go overseas- with the UN (to which I’ve applied) to do volunteer work. PEOPLE ARE DOING THINGS…as far as people NOT getting recognition for the work they are doing (celebs) what is done in the dark…will come out to light…not everyone is a media hog.

well madonna is giving back she’s been ripping off black music and dance all her life

on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 @ 11:41 am

Lady J said:
——————————————————————————–

And yes there are many missionaries in Africa helping black children but Angelina was the highly publicized celebrity that did it, to add to my previous comment

Bill Said:

Very TRUE !!

The Catholic Religion has been building hospitals, Orphaneges & Schools in Africa for YEARS !!!

Google MOTHER THERESA when you get a chance…

You can’t just paint Broad Stokes with your Paint Brush and say that Whites are evil for taking up causes in Africa.

People like Mother Theresa, George Clooney, the People that run the Feed the Poor Program that comes on BET on Sunday Morning…These people are living Saints….

Saints comes in All Colors & Persuasions…

Peace

Mother Teresa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mother Teresa in 1985Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Bharat Ratna,OM (born Agnesa Gonxha Bojaxhiu August 27, 1910 – September 5, 1997) was an Albanian Roman Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity in India. Her work among the poverty-stricken of Kolkata (Calcutta) made her one of the world’s most famous people, and she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in October 2003. Hence, she may be properly called Blessed Teresa by Catholics.

Born in Skopje, Ottoman Empire, at 18 she left home to join the Sisters of Loretto. In 1962, she received the Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding. In 1971, she was awarded the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize. Teresa was also awarded the Templeton Prize in 1973, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980. She was awarded the Legion d’Honneur from Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1981. She was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985, was made an Honorary Citizen of the United States in 1996, and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997. She was the first and only person to be featured on an Indian postage stamp while still alive.

While her supporters sometimes referred to her as the “Angel of Mercy” and “Saint of the Gutter,” critics have raised questions about her public statements, working practices, political connections, and the use of funds donated to her charity.

[edit]
Early years in Skopje
Gonxhe, the third child in the Bojaxhiu family was born in the family home at pop Kocina street 13, in a Vlach neighborhood in the center of Skopje on 26 August 1910. The Bojaxhiu family had a long tradition of success in crafts, fabric-dyeing and trade. Gonxhe was baptized in the Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and successfully completed elementary and high school years in church schools, where she was an active member of the drama section, the literary section, and the church chorus. At 12, she joined an Abbey, and at 18 she became a member of the Loreto Order of nuns. Mother Teresa, the mother of the poor of the world, always identified herself with her home town, saying “If it hadn’t been for Skopje, I would not have existed. I am a girl from Skopje”. Mother Teresa had a older sister and brother. She had a happy childhood with them.

Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying in Kolkata (Calcutta)[edit]
The Beginnings of the Missionaries of Charity
In October, 1950 Teresa received Vatican permission to start a diocesan congregation, which would become the Missionaries of Charity, whose mission was to care for (in her own words) “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.” It began as a small order with 12 members in Calcutta; today it has more than 4,000 nuns running orphanages, AIDS hospices, and charity centres worldwide, and caring for refugees, the blind, disabled, aged, alcoholics, the poor and homeless and victims of floods, epidemics and famine on all six continents.

In 1952 the first Home for the Dying was opened in space made available by the City of Calcutta. With the help of Indian officials she converted an abandoned Hindu temple into the Kalighat Home for the Dying, a free hospice for the poor. She soon after opened another hospice, Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), a home for lepers called Shanti Nagar (City of Peace), and an orphanage. The order soon began to attract both recruits and charitable donations, and by the 1960s had opened hospices, orphanages and leper houses all over India. She was one of the first to establish homes for AIDS victims.

Teresa’s order started to rapidly grow, with new homes opening all over the globe. The order’s first house outside India was in Venezuela, and others followed in Rome and Tanzania, and eventually in many countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe, including Albania.

By the early 1970s, Mother Teresa had become an international celebrity. Her fame can be in large part attributed to the 1969 documentary Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge and his 1971 book of the same title, which is still in print. During the filming of the documentary, footage taken in poor lighting conditions, particularly the Home for the Dying, was thought unlikely to be of usable quality by the crew. After returning from India, however, the footage was found to be extremely well-lit. Muggeridge claimed this was a miracle of “divine light” from Mother Teresa herself. Others in the crew thought it more likely ascribable to a new type of Kodak film. Muggeridge later converted to Catholicism.

President Ronald Reagan presents Mother Teresa with the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony, 1985.In 1971 Paul VI awarded her the first Pope John XXIII Peace Prize. Other awards bestowed upon her included a Kennedy Prize (1971), the Balzan prize (1978) for humanity, peace and brotherhood among peoples, the Albert Schweitzer International Prize (1975), the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985) and the Congressional Gold Medal (1994), honorary citizenship of the United States (November 16, 1996), and honorary degrees from a number of universities. In 1972 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nehru Prize for her promotion of international peace and understanding.

In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.” She refused the conventional ceremonial banquet given to laureates, and asked that the $6,000 funds be diverted to the poor in Calcutta, claiming the money would permit her to feed hundreds of needy for a year. She is stated to have said that earthly rewards were important only if they helped her help the world’s needy. When Mother Teresa received the prize, she was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?” Her answer was simple: “Go home and love your family.” In the same year, she was also awarded the Balzan Prize for promoting peace and brotherhood among the nations.

In 1982, Mother Teresa persuaded Israelis and Palestinians, who were in the midst of a skirmish, to cease fire long enough to rescue 37 mentally handicapped patients from a besieged hospital in Beirut.

When the walls of Eastern Europe collapsed, she expanded her efforts to communist countries that had rejected her, embarking on dozens of projects. She was undeterred by criticism about her firm stand against abortion and divorce saying, “No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work.”

Mother Teresa travelled to help the hungry in Ethiopia, radiation victims at Chernobyl, and earthquake victims in Armenia.

In 1991, Mother Teresa returned for the first time to her native region and opened a Missionaries of Charity Brothers home in Tirana, Albania.

By 1996, she was operating 517 missions in more than 100 countries. Over the years, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity grew from 12 to thousands serving the “poorest of the poor” in 450 centers around the world. The first Missionaries of Charity home in the United States was established in the South Bronx, New York.

@80 YOU MISUNDERSTAND MY POINT I HAVE NO OBJECTION WITH ADPOTION BUT CAN YOU SEE ANY COURT IN THIS WORLD AWARDING A WHITE CHILD TO A BLACK FAMILY??? I DONT THINK SO…CHECK THE STATS WHITE KIDS NEED ADOPTING TOO KIDS NEED LOVE AT THE END OF THE DAY REGARDLESS OF COLORING
FURTHER MORE 1 IN 3 PEPS IN MALAWI ARE DIAGNOSED WITH HIV (WHATS THE ODDS THIS CHILD WAS TESTED BEFORE THE PROCESS!!!!!!

sorry my last comment was directed @ MONI and not karen

lol ok im buggin today

my last comment WAS directed at karen

but to moni
there are blk people who dont even know their own damn heritage
some white people i know
know more about our history than some of us

Hi Bill…(sigh)…are there anymore of you???
Support cloning…yeah

I grew up without a mother or a father. A lot of you niggaz ought to be ashamed of yourselves. We are so pathetic as a people that we have left our children to be preyed apon by white people seeking publicity for themselves. Black people please start raising your fucking children. This shit is embarrissing.

@LonDonlady….you said….BUT CAN YOU SEE ANY COURT IN THIS WORLD AWARDING A WHITE CHILD TO A BLACK FAMILY??? ….

You are completely wrong in this statement.. because I am white, and guess what?? I was adopted by an all black family when I was 6 years old, and I am a grown ass woman now, so yes Courts do award white kids to black folks…..don’t be so damn ignorant!

Angel,
great post. Thank you for bringing some real issues to the forefront, amidst the regular gossip that we’re all addicted to. I have to say some of the ignorance I’m seeing here is shocking. *ahem*Loddypopper*ahem*. I fully support Tom Cruise, Brangelina, Mia Farrow… people who have made an effort to adopt children and educate them about their heritage. So everyone wants to know why don’t these celebrities adopt American kids? Have any of you read this sad and troubling story? I’m NOT saying that the effort shouldn’t be made to adopt at home, but with problems like these, I am sure many people consider their options long and hard before they just pick out a child - no matter how it may appear to any of us looking into the celebrity fishbowl.

@ Karen, how are Eddie and Mel. B. any less responsible than brad and angelina? Last time I checked neither of them were married?

Just because someone doesn’t adopt a child from Africa it doesn’t mean that they’re not doing charity work. And instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, we should focus on what WE’RE doing. At the end of the day celebrities don’t owe anyone anything. It’s THEIR CHOICE to do charity work. If we were as concerned about what the PEOPLE WE ELECT were doing as we are about celebrity charity work maybe we’d be in a better state!

Also, adopting a child is NOT charity. It is a personal decision and is NOT for everyone. It’s rude to see those children as mere charity cases. Those children are just as much of a gift to their American family’s as their families are to them. If you want to solve the problem of increasing numbers of Orphan’s in Africa than you need to address WHY all these children are being orphaned. Adoption is great, but it doesn’t address the root of the problem. We shouldn’t judge people because their not adopting. There’s plenty of other ways to help. And their plenty of children right here in the US who need homes as well.

BTW. Josephine Baker did this before all of these celebs. I guess Beyonce’s not the only person “inspired” by her!

it is so important that someone helps these children. Caucasian or African American, these children need saving. there are so many programs (adoption networks)that help people who adopt children of different races. they teach the Caucasian mothers to work with Black hair, and for those that adopt Asian children they have programs for them also. hoopefully the American agencies will see the flow of people going out of the country and make it easier for Americans to adopt American children

You know the comedian Katt Williams (he usually plays a pimp in different black comedies and also stars on Nick Cannons MTV show) has SEVEN adopted kids. I don’t think any of them are african but nonetheless that is a great thing. You know black celebrities don’t get the attention that white celebrities get. The entertainment industry is very one sided. Unless you’re mixed. (see Halle and Nicole Richie) I hope adopting african babies isn’t a trend. That’s just horrible. And Madonna loves a publicity stunt. Poor lil black baby. I hope he has a great life anyway.

I think its odd that Madonna is “All of a sudden” adopting a African child. And the funny thing about it is that she ask Brad & Angelina for help on how the adoption process is handled. I really don’t like Madonna after hearing her pretending to be Christ in her recent tours. She will do anything, or be anyone to sell and stay famous. She probably already sold her soul to the devil, either that or she is EXTREMELY stupid for thinking she’s ANYWHERE Near Godly! Change religons all you want Madonna, your still the devils muse. Anyway, with all that pushed to the side for now I do still worry for that African baby. The reason being is that Madonna is hardly there for Her Own Children being on tour all the time and at all sorts of events. I mean it just seems like she too busy to take care of another baby. What is she gonna do? Have her nanny take care of the child until it reaches the age of 18? It doesn’t make any sense to me given Madonna’s history that she able to give this baby a loving home with a mother that won’t neglect him or put her career first before him. I guess we’ll have to see. But personally I think the adoption agency let alot slide with this one

I’m a bit confused because to my knowledge only one or two white celebs have adopted an African baby. Some of you are acting like it’s every celeb plus their momma. Until I see Britney or Wynonna Judd with an African baby then I will pass my opinions on that issue, if it ever becomes an issue. If they want to adopt a child from Africa, at the end of the day is their money and lives. Just along as the child is been cared for and loved. I know with Angelina that Zahara was an orphan and near death before she adopted her it appears to be a genuine relationship plus she does all that work for the UN.

Jezz, it looks like Angelina Jolie is becoming this site new Beyonce whenever her name is mentioned she at least gets over 100 comments.

on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 @ 12:23 pm

trinib said:
——————————————————————————–

Hi Bill…(sigh)…are there anymore of you???
Support cloning…yeah

Bill Said:

Hey Trinib !!!

I appreciate YOUR comments also !!

Love ya like a Play Cousin !!

Children who are adopted receive Love, attention, COMPASSION & the moral fortitude necessary to navigate life !

Some Children who were adopted go on to have promising futures !!!!

Here’s a BRIEF list of people who were adopted

Adopted Persons
Andy Berlin - entrepreneur: chairman of Berlin Cameron & Partners
Anthony Williams - politician
Aristotle - philosopher
Art Linkletter - comedian
Bo Diddley - musician, performer
Buffy Sainte-Marie - musician, actress
Carl-Theodor Dreyer - Danish film director
Charlotte Anne Lopez - Miss Teen USA
Christina Crawford - author
Clarissa Pinkola Estes - author
Crazy Horse - Lakota war chief
Dan O’Brien - decathlete
Daunte Culpepper - football player
Dave Thomas - entrepreneur: founder of Wendy’s
Debbie Harry - singer
D.M.C. - hip hop artist
Edgar Allan Poe - poet, writer
Edward Albee - playwright
Eleanor Roosevelt - First Lady
Eric Dickerson - athlete
Faith Daniels - news anchor
Faith Hill - country singer
Freddie Bartholomew - actor
George Washington Carver - inventor
Greg Louganis - athlete
James MacArthur - actor
James Michener - author
Jean Jacques Rousseau - philosopher
Jesse Jackson - minister
Jesus - adopted by Joseph the carpenter (Bible)
Jett Williams - country singer and author
Jim Palmer - athlete
John J. Audubon - naturalist
John Hancock - politician
John Lennon - musician
Langston Hughes - poet and writer
Larry Ellison - entrepreneur: chief executive of Oracle
Lee Majors - actor
Leo Tolstoy - writer
Les Brown - motivational speaker
Lynnette Cole - Miss USA 2000
Malcolm X - civil rights leader
Mark Acre - athlete
Matthew Laborteaux - actor
Melissa Gilbert - actress
Michael Reagan - author, talk show host
Moses - Biblical leader
Nancy Reagan - First Lady
Nat King Cole - singer
Nelson Mandela - politician
Patrick Labyorteaux - actor
Peter and Kitty Carruthers - figure skaters
President Gerald Ford - politician
President William Clinton - politician
Priscilla Presley - actress
Ray Liotta - actor
Reno - performance artist, comedian
Sarah McLachlan - singer
Scott Hamilton - figure skater
Sen. Paull H. Shin - politician
Sen. Robert Byrd - politician
Steve Jobs - entrepreneur: co-founder of Apple computer
Surya Bonaly - figure skater
Tim Green - football player/commentator
Tim McGraw - country singer
Tom Monaghan - entrepreneur
Tommy Davidson - comedian
Victoria Rowell - actress
Wilson Riles - educator

People who adopt are gifts from God.
It takes a special type of person to allow a stranger into their house.
It takes a special type of person that can go out and CHOOSE a child to love and take care of.

Here is a BRIEF list of PERSONS who have ADOPTED CHILDREN

Adoptive Parents
Al Roker - news anchor
Alfre Woodard - actress
Alexander the Great - King of Macedonia, 356-323 B.C.
Angelina Jolie - actress
Art Buchwald - comedian
Barbara Walters - journalist
Ben Stein - actor and game show host
Bette Davis - actress
Billy Bob Thornton - actor, writer, singer
Bob (and Delores) Hope - entertainer
Brooke Adams - actress
Burt Reynolds - actor
Calista Flockhart - actress
Cecil B. De Mille - film director
Charles Bronson - actor
Chelsea Noble - actress
Connie Chung - news anchor
Dale Evans - singer
Dan Marino - athlete
Dan Wilson - athlete
David E. Kelley - television producer
Diane Keaton - actress
Dianne Wiest - actress
Donna Mills - actress
Ed McMahon - entertainer
Edie Falco - actress
Erma Bombeck - author
Estelle Parsons - actress
Eve Arden - actress
Father George Clements - minister
Gail Sheehy - writer
Gary Merrill - actor
George Burns - comedian
George Lucas - film director
Gloria Swanson - actress
Gracie Allen - comedian
Harpo Marx - actor
Harry Belafonte - singer
Hedy Lamarr - actress
Helen Hayes - actress
Henry Fonda - actor
Hugh Jackman - actor
Isabella Rossellini - -actress
Jamie Lee Curtis - actress
Jane Fonda - actress
Jane Wyman - actress
Jann Wenner - publisher
Jill Ireland - actress
Jill Krementz - author
JoBeth Williams - actress
Joan Didion - author
Joan Fontaine - actress
John DeLorean - entrepreneur
John Denver - singer
John Gregory Dunne - author
Josephine Baker - singer and dancer
Judy Woodruff - news anchor
Julie Andrews - actress
Karen Grassle - actress
Karl Wallenda - acrobat
Kate Capshaw - actress
Kate Jackson - actress
Kirby Puckett - athlete
Kirk Cameron - actor
Kirstie Alley - actress
Kris Kristofferson - singer
Kurt Vonnegut - author
Linda Ronstadt - singer
Loni Anderson - actress
Louis Gossett, Jr - actor.
Magic Johnson - athlete
Marcia Wallace - actress
Marie Osmond - singer
Maury Povich - news anchor
Meg Ryan - actress
Mercedes Ruehl - actress
Mia Farrow - actress
Michelle Pfeiffer - actress
Natalie Williams - athlete
Nell Carter - entertainer
Nicole Kidman - actress
Oscar de la Renta - designer
Ozzy (and Sharon) Osbourne - musician
Parker Stevenson - actor
Patti LaBelle - singer
Paul Newman - actor
Paula Poundstone - comedian
Pearl Bailey - singer
Peter Falk - actor
President Ronald Reagan - politician
Regina Belle - singer
Richard King Mellon - financier
Robert Fulghum - writer
Rosie O’Donnell - actress
Roy Rogers - entertainer
Sally Jessy Raphaël - talk show host
Sammy Davis, Jr. - entertainer
Sen. Jesse Helms - politician
Sen. John McCain - politician
Sen. Lloyd Bentsen - politician
Sen. Paul Simon - politician
Sen. Paull H. Shin - politician
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson - Texas
Sharon Stone - actress
Sir Christopher Guest - actor
Stephen Spielberg - film director
Steven Curtis Chapman - Christian musician
Susan Ruttan - actress
Taurean Blacque - actor
Ted Danson - actor
Teri Garr - actress
Tom Cruise - actor
Valerie Harper - actress
Walt (and Lily) Disney - founder of Disneyland
William Delahunt - politician
Willie Mays - athlete

I’m not going to front and act like i did not raise an eyebrow when i heard that MADONNA was planning on adopting a child from Africa. I was like ok, here we go again, it seems like everyone and their moms is jumping on the i want to adopt a _______baby (insert whatever culture u want). What bothers me about it is everyone is acting like Africa was discovered like fucking yesterday and where the hell was everyone when people were getting slaughtered in Rwanda? babies were (and still are) dying from famine in ethiopia, and all the other atrocities that the continent has been dealing with for decades? It does seem like the trend is to do whatever u can do to help AFRICA, even though there are babies all over the world that need help. I’m not hating on what madonnna is doing, ( although i do question her motives) because it is a good thing, she wants to help a child that is need and will probably have a much better life, even though he will probably lose sight of his culture along the way.

OK Bill nice list! but how many of them have adopted African babies compared to how many of them have adopted black children?

Slovely - you state “It doesn’t make any sense to me given Madonna’s history that she able to give this baby a loving home with a mother that won’t neglect him or put her career first before him.”

Madonna’s history is just that. History. Her past shouldn’t be held against her. Her questionable activities were before she was had children and got married. She now has two biological children who are living pretty well. So what if she has a nanny? At least her children aren’t sitting at home alone in some dingy apartment waiting for their parents to come home. Most successful couples (not just famous couples) have nannies.

I work and send my youngest to daycare. SHould I not be allowed to adopt a baby (if I had the means) because I am not home all day and someone else is essentially raising my child?

As long as a loving home can be provided someone’s past should not be held against them. Madonna has toned down quite a bit since she’s had children. She’s no longer the exhibitionist she once was. If she was currently putting herself on display like she used to then I might agree with you.

Sorry for the rambling…btw, I am not a Madonna fan. I used to be when she first came out but no longer.

^ I agree, what makes Angelina any more fit to be a mother than Madonna. How quickly we forget how crazy this girl used to be. Walkng around w/ a vile of blood around her neck and what not.

on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 @ 3:07 pm

Honey said:
——————————————————————————–

OK Bill nice list! but how many of them have adopted African babies compared to how many of them have adopted black children?

Bill Said:

Hey Honey !!!
Google IS your BEST FRIEND

Google Search criteria:celebrities who adopted children from africa

Celebrity Adoptions: In The Child’s Best Interest?
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (October 11, 2006) — Reports that Madonna may have adopted a Malawian child have focused attention on foreign adoptions in Africa — and raised questions about whether it’s in an African child’s best interest to be spirited away to the wealthy West.

“Are celebrities doing it for the right reasons and not to make a statement?” asked Pam Wilson of the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society. Comments on talk radio across the region have been even more pointed, with callers accusing the pop-music star of going on a “shopping expedition.”

At this time, current legislation in Malawi does not even allow for inter-country adoptions. This would make it illegal for Madonna to take home a child from Malawi, although there are rumors that restrictions were to be waived for her.

The adoption of children from poorer nations — Cambodia, Ethiopia, Romania — by rich foreigners has been happening for decades. Angelina Jolie adopted her son, Maddox, from Cambodia and her daughter Zahara from Ethiopia. Mia Farrow, now the mother of 14, began adopting children from poor countries in 1973 with an
orphan from the Vietnam War.

Wilson said there would always be a “demand” for children from developing countries.

“There is a shortage of healthy babies in the First World, particularly now when there is no longer such a stigma to being a single parent and there are few babies in the system,” she said.

Adoptions of orphans from abroad have been increasing steadily in the United States — to more than 22,000 in 2004. Russia, China and Guatemala have been the main sources of these children; only a few hundred per year have come from Africa.

By 2010, the U.N. estimates, 18 million African children will have lost a parent to AIDS. Already there are more than 43 million orphans on the world’s poorest continent.

In Africa, orphans usually are absorbed into extended families, but AIDS has affected many of the people who might have traditionally provided support. So, many of those millions who have lost parents to AIDS or other causes are cared for by orphanages — or find themselves living on the streets.

While some may see a great need being left unfilled, international adoptions are not “an easy option,” said Jackie Schoeman, executive director of Cotlands, a South African
organization that cares for children affected by HIV.

“For us, first prize is to place the kids locally or even regionally. If the only other option is for them to be in a long-term institutional then we would consider international adoption.”

Schoeman said there were advantages to international adoptions. Recently one of the children for whom her organization cares was adopted by parents in the U.S. and now can receive medical care unavailable in South Africa.

However, Schoeman and others are concerned about the long-term effects of such a big move on a child, particularly in the development of cultural and individual identities.

“We don’t really know enough about what a black child growing up in Finland is going to feel. I don’t think it would be an alien culture because they would have grown up exposed to it. But will they have felt better staying at home?” she asked.

At the heart of the matter is the motivation of people wanting to adopt orphans from troubled countries, especially HIV-positive children.

“Sometimes the response is emotional. They just want to help without understanding the long-term implications,” Schoeman said.

Some advocacy groups in the United States say Americans seeking to adopt should turn first to children in the U.S. foster care system, but Adam Pertman — executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute — says both domestic and overseas adoptions are growing, and should be encouraged.

As for celebrities adopting poor children from Africa, Pertman said there was no reason to be critical or cynical.

“They’re doing what more Americas all over the country are doing — adopting children,” he said. “More Americans are adopting from abroad, more are adopting from Africa… They (the celebrities) just happen to be getting the attention.”

“Is there a self-serving aspect to it? I don’t have any idea,” Pertman said. “They didn’t do anything fundamentally different from other families. They did a really good thing for a couple of kids.”

There is increasing desire among communities to keep vulnerable or orphaned children within them, said Bill Philbrick, manager of the Hope for the Atlanta, Ga.-based African Children Initiative (HACI), a pan-African effort established in 2000 as a partnership between organizations such as CARE, Save the Children UK and World
Vision.

To make it easier to care for such children within their own community, said Philbrick, grandparents, extended families or caregivers need help to access AIDS treatments and other medical and health care as well as education and food security.

“International adoptions are not a solution. The answer is supporting the community,” he said.

Which is what Eye of the Child, a child rights group in Malawi, has called on Madonna to do. In an open letter to “Madam Madonna” the organization urges her to help fund existing programs in Malawi to help vulnerable children. The group also applauded efforts by her charity, Raising Malawi, which aims to set up an orphan care center.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Chris Tucker was in Africa for a year giving back. As are a lot of other Black celebs and most of them don’t get attention for what they have done.Yes there are many American children (black,white or the other) that need to be adopted, but American or not a child with out a family is just that. Can you imagine growing up with out a family, (Traditional or non-traditional)? With facing such travesties just to make it through each day is overwhelming to say the least. Here we’re posting blogs, and children in Africa face, famine, death, poverty, rape and many other things daily and most before they’re 10. Wow so to have someone who can share the wealth be willing to do that, forget the motives. For if its not being done with sincere intentions the rich will pay for more than just the kid in due time.

I don’t know what Madonna’s intentions are, only she truly knows why she does what she does. My only comment on that is that it would have been much better had she picked up her own adopted child, having the assistant pick him up seems very…cold. Don’t delegate something like picking up your adopted child for the first time to an assistant.

I also think that people are relying too heavily on stereotypes. I have met Africans with very nasty attitudes, and I’ve met Africans who were very cool and great to get along with. We all know that there are Black Americans who are very cool, intelligent, and ambitious/successful as well as those who are trashy, lazy, and have nasty attitudes. Not all Africans are nasty, not all Americans are lazy.

Charity starting at home is not nonsense, but if someone wants to adopt outside the US, that’s their prerogative. I’d like to work with kids who don’t have parents and I’d love to adopt later in life but I’d like to take that slow and progress from volunteering to work with the kids before taking one in my home.

At the end of the day, people (celebrity or not) are going to do what they want.

i don’t have a problem with the adoption persay just with the culture change. is she going to teach the child about his culture? his language, food, parents, etc. this are the kind of things that i find very important. if she can do that and still be able to raise him then that’s fine even though i think she could have easily supported the child and the father but to each his own.

This is funny, wether the child being adopted is white, black, yellow or purple is irrelevant. Its the fact that they are being adopted that counts. Lord there’s now way to win with people. Thats why She did what the hell she felt in her heart to do. On another note, a lot of this celebs try to keep those kids out of the spotlight, in case u have not noticed.

Madonna’s history is just that. History. Her past shouldn’t be held against her. Her questionable activities were before she was had children and got married.

^

Okay, If you choose to believe that. But I don’t think alot of what she is doing Now is unrelated from what she’s done in the past. That’s my point. If you read my entire statement you would see what I was talking about. That fact that you take your child to daycare (Key word being “Day” meaning you will eventually pickup your child before the day is over) Is not the same as not seeing your child for weeks or even months because of tour scheduels. I don’t know the woman, but neither do you. Only her children can say how they really feel about their mom going on tour all the time and having very little time to spend with them. That’s all I got to say. Peace!

on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 @ 10:05 pm

Ddub said:
——————————————————————————–

Let’s not hate. At least these kids are being adopted, a rich a** parent is a rich a** parent. Oprah and Madonna are both money so bring it, lol. Who cares? Why does everything in the black community have to boil down to race. Yes, it’s a major issue but it’s not the only issue. Black and white people act like they’re the only ones on this planet. It’s not all about us. We got egos the size of damn Saturn. People need to chill out and get off this race kick. If you have presence and you’re about your business, then it doesn’t matter who’s racist or not because you’re going to go for yours and you’re not stopping until you get what you want. As this lady told me one time, “name it and claim it baby, it’s yours.” It’s time for everyone to step up and claim our destiny, not as a the black race or the white race, but as the human race. We can’t see the forest for the trees and that’s a shame. So let everybody adopt, except David Duke, ‘cuz you know he ran the Klan and he ain’t got no love for the negroes

Bill Said:

PREACH !!!
I like that..Name it & Claim it…I’m going to borrow that !!!

It’s all about economic empowerment…

When you have money like Oprah, Russell Simmons, Robert Johnson, Bill Cosby, etc, etc, you can go to Africa, pick up a plane load of orphans and bring them to YOUR house for the weekend…

But….Everyoe isn’t prepared to do that for various reasons, so anyone that takes the time to adopt, is a wonderfult person in my book…

we cannot assume black celebs don’t do charity or adopt children. when does the media ever show black folk in a positive light?! i’ll answer that, NEVER !!!the other thing about black celebs adopting children, maybe they don’t do it because they don’t believe in taking a child from there home country and culture. white folks don’t care about that. remember how we got here ya’ll. i know countries in africa are poor but damn do you think white folk really know how to raise nonwhite children?! little maddox and zahara will be rich and have material wealth but they wont have a clue as to what it means to be African or Asian. they will have some issues.