Jonkonfui
asked:
In the trial about Mirabelle's custody, Bebe's lawyer focuses mainly on heritage. Why would that be important?. It seems as if the lawyer wants Mirabelle to be a Chinese in the US instead of a US citizen of Asian origin. Why the fact that there are no Asian dolls in stores is something against the McColloughs?
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Little Fires Everywhere,
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Phoenix
Heritage is the most important factor in the case. A Chinese American family could adopt a Caucasian baby and raise it to be US citizen no problem. But it doesn't work the other way around. The McColloughs don't have the slightest clue about Chinese culture - they don't know the language, they don't know its history, food, they don't try and give May Ling other dolls to play with other than Caucasian ones. Which to be fair isn't entirely their fault in that time there weren't many dolls/toys catering for Asians. But the point is by adopting May Ling (and not even giving her her real name) they are divorcing her from her heritage, culture and biological mother and she doesn't even get a choice in the matter. She will grow up not knowing who she really is and where she came from and trust me she WILL ask questions and maybe even resent the McColloughs from keeping this from her. It doesnt matter that the McColloughs can give her a stable home, two parents, all the money toys and comforts she can desire the one thing they cant give her is her culture/heritage. That is huge.
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