THIS THING OF OURS-ADOPTION

THE KOREAN WAR BABY

My name is Don Gordon BELL and I am one of the earliest of the first generation of KAD's (Korean ADoptees). The Korean War had been settled by Armistice three years before I left war-torn Seoul, Korea, on May 21, 1956. It was the first plane of twelve 'war babies' processed thru the Harry Holt Adoption Program. Read more of MY STORY on My Pages.
I grew up in a typical middle-class family of English-Scottish roots in greater Los Angeles, Ca, USA. Memories faded, Korean language was 'lost' and I did not know anything about the country of my birth until I met Korean Marines in Vietnam while serving with the US Marines. It was my first exposure to real Korean people. I was not completely aware of how prejudiced most Koreans thought towards a Half-Breed like me. I learned what "Tuigi" meant, a Korean word for a "Child of a Foreign devil". Oh, wonderful.

All my life I always had to answer the question: "What ARE you?" and I simply would tell 'my story'. It was not a big deal for me, for my Adoptive Parents had taught me that being an American meant that WE were from many countries. I never 'wished to be White' and just learned to stand up for my own identity. MY Identity was as an American, with mixed heritage. I did not know what being "Korean" meant but often wondered about my roots, and what my birth father's ethnicity. Mexican, Native Americans, and Spanish people would tell me that I had their 'genes' for sure. Little did I know they were right!

After college, I traveled to Manila and for ten years I lived in the Philippines. I was excepted as a 'mestizo' and fit into the former Spanish colony. I was a B-movie Character Actor, working on international and local films, enjoying a 'crazy and wild' abandonment. Then a life changing experience gave me faith in a personal Higher Being. After walking away from the film business, I lived back in the USA, not sure of my direction in life finding work in construction, finish carpentry, door hanging, and many other jobs I'd like to forget.

In 1991, at 38, I attended a Holt Heritage Camp that was a great experience and really began my own journey of Adoption Identity search. I had never thought much of my Korean culture, though I always felt proud of being "HALF-Korean" and "half-Something".

In 1994 I came back to Seoul, Korea, with my church Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and was invited to stay with a church in East Seoul, for one year. I have lived here since late 1995- re-discovering my "Korean-ness", teaching English and telling my Adoption Story to thousands of Korean students of all ages, helping their understanding of Korean Adoptees. It is one of the issues that Korea is now facing, even for its own secretly adopted children, those who were adopted IN-Country by Koreans who desired a family but due to problems with Infertility secretly adopt.

I was a charter member in 1997 (first dozen members) of GOA'L (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link, founded by Ami Nafzger) and continue to be involved with the complex issues of This Thing of Ours-Adoption. Thousands of KADs have visited Korea over the years, searching for their culture and Some search for birth family. Seventy-five thousand have come, yet only 2,400 plus have found Reunion with Birth family, often with varying results. There are many complexities, many don't want to search concerned about offending their Adoptive Families. Each KAD must decide what they want to do, when to do it, etc.

At 67, I am still 'working thru' my Adoption Identity. Each of YOU need to 'work through' your own understanding and hopefully find forgiveness and healing. Read many different accounts and compare before coming to conclusions. I hope that you will learn what IS happening NOW, in the land of your birth, the Rep. of Korea (South Korea). (See Report Links).

Times are changing, the reasons for 'relinquishment/given up for adoption' have shifted, but there continues to be a need for a multi-tiered approach and understanding of Adoption issues. Slowly, attitudes of Korean society ARE changing for the better. But, the majority continue to feel embarrassment and shame. Thus, Adoption is still shrouded in secrecy even for those who are adopted In-country . There ARE positive signs and movements of NGO's and KAD groups are advocating for the Unwed Mothers. However, two-thirds of pregnant women each year, continue to give up their babies for adoption. One out of four are sent overseas, YET three are secretly adopted in-country. The Myth that "Koreans don't adopt" is false, but they need to open up and hopefully change their shame to pride.

This blog is for EVERYONE, whether you are an Adoptee, Adoptive Family, Birth Family or involved in Adoption in ANY way as a professional, social worker, official, etc, from Korea or the world. We examine the complex issues and personal journeys that we, domestic and overseas adoptees, have to face and sort out in This Thing of Ours-Adoption. (Use the Search function to check for Posts on various topics, TransRacial, Tran-Cultural, Multi-Cultural families, Domestic, Civil Code Law Adoptions, InterCountry Adoption, etc.)

I personally have come to a compromised, nuanced position on this thing of ours-adoption. I advocate a Multi-tiered Plan that tries to be balanced, realistic, fair to all.

UPDATE: Living in the Philippines since 2010, at first teaching students from several countries as an Online Tutor, based in Makati, Metro Manila. I was working on a Digital Library for Online Tutoring or ELearning; developing an agritourism farm; and Overseas Retirement Care for foreigners needing 24/7 health care.

Then some 18 months ago, in July of 2012 I met with Andrew Leavold, a crazy film obsessed Aussie who helped "pull me back into film making".

WHEW! Lot on my plate. I have also been learning much about the Filipino society's very different viewpoints on unwed motherhood and adoption.

As of Sept. 2012, I worked on an Indie Film, "Baybayin, the Palawan Script", directed by Auraeus Solito, and international award winning Filipino director. I had a role in the film and explored my hobby as a STILLS Photographer. Currently I have quit all teaching, co-writing on an international film that will be done in 3D and CGI effects. I am back in the film-making business and I love it. I have continued to act in Independent and international films and in many projects worked as Stills/Bts Photographer. I cover film festivals, events, and continue to try to improve my Game. Semi-retired but love to keep active, now exploring mirrorless 4K cameras but still a Canon Guy.


Adoption Discourse needs to hear YOUR VOICES. Every opinion, even opposing viewpoints will be posted and interaction invited by email and Comments have been activated again with spam filters!). Welcome, come learn, and share your thoughts. Join social media sites and you will help yourself and others as you share your life.

#20 Holt Adoptee/First Dozen on Flight departing Seoul on 21 May, 1956 to USA.


May 14, 2010

Intercepted Emails-What is Going ON?

ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE MADNESS

Were rebuffed and the Reports on the AGM was published.

Ask Nicole Sheppard “What do you know, and When did you know it?”

Intercepted emails tell the story:

Email Sent: Nicole Sheppard on May 8, 2010

By Korean War Baby

Journal of Korean Adoption Studies

Mr. Kim Su Rasmussen, Ph.D., Editor in Chief (adoptee, Denmark)

Email: jkas.goal@gmail.com

Ms. Nicole Sheppard, Managing Editor (adoptee, USA)

Email: oakjournal.goal@gmail.com

May 8, 2010

Dear Ms. Nicole,

You have always impressed me as a person who is dedicated, organized, and honest. I have been impressed with your work on behalf of adoptees with GOA'L over the years. Few have done more than you and I have expressed to you many times my thanks for your service. You recall that two years ago I had lunch with you and asked about the trend of a few to want to stop ICA/overseas adoptions and the NEUTRALITY of GOA'L. I could tell that you approached it in a mature manner, but were non-committal.

I am sorry that in my week of anger and madness, I shouted at you on the phone about what others were doing. I am totally wrong to take out my anger at THEM and to have yelled at you. There was and is no excuse for MY behavior and actions, nor do I make useless apology again...I am totally wrong for doing that to you. I do not ask your forgiveness, nor seek your understanding. It is important that I simply say that I was wrong. Period.

Now though, I appeal to your honor and tireless work you have done at GOA'L. Your legacy is being tarnished by the actions of Kim Su Rasmussen, Eli Park Sorenson and their "'dangerous danes' plan to Politicize GOA'L". Can you say that you were not aware of this plan?

It is time for you to consider if you will remain committed to the apparent lies and cover-up of the gang of 33. I do have the copy of the AGB report with edit marks, with what seems to be your name attributed "Nicole {N1} commented...This is not a majority!" with date and time code. (Many people have inquired about the report but I have made a scan of the pages THAT DOES NOT reveal your name as it is a JPG scan.) I ALSO HAVE emails from you asking to see the document, talking about Lydia KIM not being able to translate it by Monday.

You will never find out WHO sent me the document because some people don't get it yet..the plans are compromised, uncovered in naked attempts to Politicize GOA'L. There are many who do not agree with that agenda.

Shall I use the entire EMAILs in my blog? Please, don't make me have to use those, even though you are the one to point out that it was Not a Majority. What many others will WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT DID YOU DO about it later? DO NOT BE FOOLISH to publish the report with LIES, for your own sake. The gang of 33, have been weighed and found wanting, you yourself have uncovered that. Copies are ready to send to media in the event of my having a sudden accident, or the refusal of the Chairman of the Board to do the correct action.

YOU KNOW THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL and at best Highly IRREGULAR for the voting to be done AS IT WAS for SEPARATELY. It was NOT A MAJORITY VOTE TO DO SO being only 20 votes. If this error is passed on to the Chairman of the Board in a false report, please DON'T have your name attached. That is not a threat but a warning that I will have to publish evidence to the contrary.

I think you have seen what I am capable of writing and documenting. I am strongly opposing this action because I fear that it will help to prevent children in getting a chance to fine a home abroad, but instead growing up in an overcrowded institute with no family.

Don't go down with the sinking ship. Do the right thing and I will preserve your honor and dignity of your name. You are listed as an advisor, so please advise them to do the right thing to save themselves and what GOA'L HAS DONE over the years.

I neither want nor will accept any position with GOA'L. I have NO PERSONAL agenda, but empty promises and statements to "stay neutral" by A.S.K. or the "neutrality of GOA'L" are meaningless and I will continue to expose the boloney from A.S.K. and everyone of who DARES represent ALL adoptees as believing that point of view.

I have decided to offer TERMS OF SURRENDER...or at least TRUCE. BUT it will be Unconditional Surrender, nothing less is unacceptable to me.

ADVISOR, ADVISE them well. THEY SHALL NOT APPOINT A SECRETARY GENERAL, PERIOD. THE SHAME election will be declared Null and Void, or appropiate language made to RE-DO the election with ALL MEMBERSHIP allowed to have a vote through electronic means.

In order to preserve what GOA'L and its legacy has been, I offer to negotiate terms whereby this horror can be settled. Will you act as middle person with Rev. Kim Do Hyun and Jan Wenger? I will not excuse the others unless they remove themselves from the Community Board. Especially your partner Kim Su Rasmussen must admit his doings in all this. He is the archetect of this canard and there can be no place for him in GOA'L.

I will give you one week to consider my terms of Unconditional Surrender. IF I receive no answer from you, the next "salvo" will be fired with "precision guided munitions". RIGHT DOWN on the heads of some, as "all fair in love and WAR". I speak of course in allegoric terms, I really don't have "smart bombs" but will drop 'smart WORD bombs' of facts and data that will uncover the truth.

SAVE YOURSELF. You tried to do the "right thing" but your advice seems to have been disregarded...What did you advise them to DO ABOUT THIS "Not a Majority"?

People inside and out are sending me information that has unmasked the bullshit. The castle is crumbling...observed by over 4,000 who have visited my web blog since the SHAME election has happened. Oh, the power of modern media!! Many have overwhelmingly commented to me by email that they support my actions. The lies will not be acceptable nor will the fake election results stand.

ONE WEEK, dear Nicole until I unleash the next major attack, online. THEN this will be published with emails attached between you and Wenger.

Detach yourself from these people or suffer the consequences because I will not hold back after the 15th of MAY. Protect yourself and your honor. I warned you all, not to f#@k with me, you do not know war like I do...where sometimes the "Bridge must be blown with friends and foes on it" as in the Korean War on the Han and later in the Naktong rivers.

GET 'OFF THE BRIDGE before I blow it up'!! I have more salvos to fire, more plans until they sue for peace. Bottom line is if GOA'L is to continue there will be another election this time with full membership allowed to vote.

Still at 'WAR',

Korean WAR Baby

May 7, 2010

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On the very same day late in the evening, May 7th, the GOA’L office posted on their website the "Altered and falsified"?- report of the Annual General Meeting. It seems full of lies, inaccuracies, changes, omissions, and utterly devoid of transparency. I formally declare the election as a shameful attempt to Politicize the neutrality or GOA’L with an ultimate aim to stop all InterCountry Adoptions.

****************************************************

On Monday, The Korean War Baby attended the meeting at the Sonje Art Center to see the movie Resilience (A post on this excellent film produced and directed by Tammy Chu- ONE Korean woman’s tragic story of loss when her own family took away her son and sent him to a land far away...Except for some ‘slight Hollywood HYPE’ in the advertising the KWB heartily endorses this powerful, never ending story of separation, loss, then reunion, separation, loss, divorce.)

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My Scottish ancestors, the BELLS of Middlebie Parrish, Drumfriesshire, West Marches of the Border Lands. By Scottis Lauw on adoption following the Ancient and Accepted Laws of Scotland, I was told- “Ye BE Scottis, by Gawd.”

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“Yer Clan, the Bloody Bells of Middlebie, has stood with the Black Douglas Clan. Thay wer numbered as one of the eight Riding Clans of the Border Reivers considered “Unruly” by the english. William ‘Red Cloak’ Bell, the last Laird of Clan BELL may have been yer ancestor. This be yer heritage, yea, even by adoption it is rightfully YER BIRTHRIGHT!

We ‘ave bled wid William Wallace!!”

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Gang of 33, Don’t fear mere physical violence, that is so old school...

THIS IS MERELY HYPERBOLE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE, that I employ against the Gang of 33 and leaders.

Fear my WRITTEN WORDS,

That be my weapons!!!

Let the Children that are UNWANTED

find loving homes in other countries!! They are Left-over, undesired, desperate to be loved.

GIVE THEM THE SAME CHANCE!!!

I F you agree to THAT, I will accept your

Unconditional Surrender!!!

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