Black children have been adopted by white families in the UK for over 50 years and yet the voices of transracially adopted children and adults have rarely been heard.  A new book, edited by a University of Bristol academic, aims to change that.

In search of belonging: Reflections by transracially adopted people is an anthology bringing together poetry, art, autobiography, memoir and oral testimony from transracially adopted people.  Edited by Perlita Harris, a transracially adopted adult and lecturer in social work at Bristol University, the book will be launched in Bristol on Thursday 6 July.

The anthology’s 57 contributors range in age from six to 56 years and include those who were born and adopted both in the UK and countries as different as Kenya and Hong Kong, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and El Salvador.  A number of local contributors will read from the anthology at the launch.

Through a series of intensely moving testimonies, In search of belonging conveys the complexity for black and minority ethnic children of being raised by a white adoptive family.

The themes of separation and loss, the search for identity and belonging permeate these accounts, but so does the power of healing and survival, happiness and hope.

A wide range of experiences is described, including racism during childhood, placement disruption, visiting country of origin or heritage, reclaiming cultural heritage, searching for birth mothers, fathers and other relatives, becoming a parent, involvement with the psychiatric system and connecting with other transracial and transnational adoptees.

Perlita Harris said: “This anthology highlights the responsibility social workers, adoption advisors and adoption panel members have to transracially children and adults to get it right, both now and in the future, to make the best placements they can and to provide appropriate support services that are available to transracial and transnational adoptees throughout their lives. 

“It is important to listen carefully to what is being said, question existing assumptions and beliefs about transracial and transnational adoption, and reflect on the implications for policy, practice and services.”

In search of belonging is published by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF),

The launch will take place at the Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, Bristol BS2 8SA on Thursday 6 July at 7 p.m.   Perlita Harris and a number of local contributors to the anthology will be reading from In search of belonging.  This will be followed by a question and answer session.  The event is open to the public.

An article by Perlita Harris about the book can be read on the University's re:search website.