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 29, 2010

CHANGES YOU CAN BELIEVE IN??

NOTE: these are pages that were CHANGED from DRAFT to FINAL REPORT.

Three concerned Adoptees sent me the DRAFT Version. DGB
FINAL REPORT of AGM – Page 3

FINAL REPORT of AGM CLOSER Page 3

CLOSE UP OF PAGE 3-Note “decisions made in regards to voting procedures are not resolutions of the General Meeting and therefore do not fall under the category of needing a simple majority.” WHY DID WE VOTE on a motion to “Vote separately” as noted on THIS:

“Excerpt from Articles of Incorporation:

…..majority of the members present at the general meetings.”

DOES this not require a Simple Majority of member present?

DGB

THIS IS FROM DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format. Page 3

“Simple Majority needed for every decision had to be 25 votes and more.” Well apparently NOT.

This was removed and altered when THEY DID NOT VOTE with a SIMPLE MAJORITY, but only voted 20 to “vote separately”.
***************************************************************************************************************************

FINAL REPORT of AGM-page 18

“Vote separately: 20 votes for voting separately”

It was NOT a Simple Majority and therefore they should have Voted “in corpore”. BUT the OBJECTIVE WAS TO GET RID OF MOLLY HOLT.

Now see the DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format-Page 18 Close Up

The Comment [N1] on the Word document (TRACK CHANGES) if one hovers with Mouse over it a message appears:

Nicole (Sheppard) was the person to make all comments on this TRACK CHANGES format. I do believe she tried to warn them.

Note Molly Holt “17 Abstain” was removed in Final Report sent out to members of GOA’L.

Who is Kim Dae-Won? That is not the LEGAL NAME of JAN WENGER, rather it is his “Korean Name”. He is known to many by his alias Dae-Won Wenger * His name was changed to Wenger Dae-Won on the Final Report.

I tried to protest and asked to be “recognized with a Point of Order” on the issue that they did not vote with a Simple Majority. The Secretary General Wenger, would not recognize me, though I clearly was heard by him and seen to protest strongly. He ignored me and they continued to vote OUT OF ORDER and FIRST voted on “Re-election of Molly Holt” There was a core group of 11 who voted AGAINST then the call for Abstention was called and 22 people raised their hands. Ms. Courtney Rader of Holt was there.

They removed the Abstaining Votes as if they did not call each and every time for Abstention VOTES.

DGB
**********************************************************************************************************************
FINAL REPORT of AGM- Page 19

“Abstained 22 votes” was removed after I pointed out on my blog that Korea follows “Robert’s Rules of Order” and Abstention Votes DO not Count as Nay votes (as it is in some European NGO’s).

DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format- Page 19

PLEASE NOTE:

SG Vote Results – First Round

Julie Koch had 11 votes (this was the core group of 11)

Abstained 18 votes (Gone on Final Report)

SG Vote Results – Second Round

Abstained 22 votes (Gone on Final Report)

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

FINAL REPORT of AGM-page 20

Here they supplant truth with fiction: “in corpore” was NOT DONE. Tiny 3x5 size paper with some names misspelled and Jane (Jeong) Trenka was not on the paper ballot. Kim Su Rasmussen was not on ballot. Spaces were provided for “write in” candidates to vote for them.

DGB

DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format- Page 20

Ms. Jane Jeong Trenka was NOT on the tiny piece of paper ballots nor did she have any “write in votes”.

DGB

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

FINAL REPORT of AGM-page 21

“8a) Nomination of Senator Paull Shin to Honorary President”

“several alternative titles were proposed” because they though President was too strong. SG Wenger convinced them that you, Honorable President could get grants of money somehow from USA. I myself told them “For the love of God, you have everything else…Sen. Shin is a Democrat, vote for him.” THEN you finally passed, sir.

DRAFT ON AGM with TRACK CHANGES format- Page 21

NOTE: Minutes taken by Ms. Katie Mee Joo Putes, Vice Secretary General

Date: 2010-03-27

Approved by Board of Directors Date: 2010-04-????
WHERE DID THIS GO?
You who are on the Staff of GOA'L or Advisors, Who DOES "Sign-Off" on the Final AGM report and attest to its validity and truth?

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE, You are honorable people, dedicated, hardworking and still young! SHOW US YOUR METTLE. Tell us only that you DID not approve of this report. CLEAR your Names.
DGB

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