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 24, 2010

Wedding Announcement


(Not the real couple, borrowed from the internet
for purpose of Korean Wedding Costume example)



Wedding Announcement!!!

Hear ye, hear ye!!!

All KADLinKs Please pay extreme attention.

Korean ADoptees Living in Korea

One of our OWN dear couples,

Both GIANTS in activism FOR UNWED KOREAN MOTHERS
and Adoptee's RIGHTS,

YOU ALL KNOW, EVEN THROUGHOUT THE GLOBAL
ADOPTEE COMMUNITY:

Drums and Trumpets!!!



NAME REDACTED*

and

NAME REDACTED ALSO"

Date: You should know IF YOU ARE TRULY THEIR FRIENDS
Time: At the appointed time.

Place: YOU WERE SENT AN INVITATION!! Do GO.


WARNING!!! IF YOU ARE NOT INVITED YOU WILL NOT GET IN.

THIS WEDDING IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED

WEDDING INVITATION ONLY.

SPACE AND LIMITATIONS OF BUFFET ARE LIMITED TO

TRUE FRIENDS OF BOTH.

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

LET ME BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR...
I, the Korean War Baby, in the interest of common decency
and the spirit of Good Will...

Will NOT attend, however security arraignments

for the glorious event will be Overwatched by KWB

and his burly friends to ensure a happy occasion.
WE ARE KIDDING, AheeSheesh!!

Those who have
known these individuals as true friends

Will please remember to remember

ENVELOPES of CASH
(note: 50,000 KWon and UP, Euros,
USDollars acceptable, no Checks please)

Contact them to donate to listed charities and organizations,
(Hint Unwed Mothers/get on TRACK)

I, The Korean War Baby will be
watching from the shadows and
checking the arriving guests.
(Don't worry my sniper rifles are in the USA!!)

Any one who is on MY list of KADLinKs who do not show up
will possibly suffer from horrors from beyond the grave, for I will be enlisting the
local International Witches Coven (who have graciously offered after tea time to perform incantations).

Burning of cheap incense and (previously killed) animal
offerings will be made to foul spirits of Darkness,
Unimaginable bad josh and misfortune might befall you.
Pins will be inserted in outrageous unspeakable places,
to bring suffering against your general well-being.

Ancient Korean ancestor's spirits
will be called upon by famous Korean Mudangs.

Your life in Korea will be made simply miserable
people may steal your shoes in restaurants.

If you are invited and DON'T GO!!!

"Who Dat, gonna do dem thangs?"
Why the MAD as a HATTER, DELUSIONAL,
FORMERLY demon-possessed creature known as
THE KOREAN WAR BABY
The S.O.B.
the dreadful and terrifying,
just plain awful person,
who defies even satan and his hordes!

BECAUSE NOW I AM A SON OF GOD,

JESUS CHRIST is my HYUNG (OLDER BROTHER)

by Adoption into the family of God.

GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY WIFE!!
The LORD is my Salvation, in HIM do I trust,
Who can separate us from the LOVE OF GOD?
Nothing!!! If GOD be for us, WHO can be against us.
(Somewhere in Romans)

"The angels of the Lord encamp around those who trust in HIM"

The Korean War Baby is not religious, I am not a saint (most know that),
But MY GOD, my Father in Heaven, is AWESOME and ALMIGHTY.
To HIM I give owe my every moment of life.
I am nothing but HE is my strength my all.

This announcement should be taken with the dark/light humour intended...

"COME LET US REASON TOGETHER FOR PEACE,
FOR THE GLOBAL NOT JUST LOCAL COMMUNITY OF KOREAN ADOPTEES!!!

OPEN LETTER TO ALL KADLink's TO DIALOGUE.
YOU HAVE MY EMAIL ADDRESS..."


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3 comments:

  1. Don Gordon BellMay 25, 2010

    Bert,

    You are supposed to use SOMEONE else's voodoo doll. Have you heard that VooDoo priest have gone high-tech using pins with electric current. One priest's home was burned down when a power surge set on fire all the dolls he was 'stimulating' at once. Twenty dolls went POOF!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 03, 2010

    Dennis Hopper was the ultimate role model for all us old hippies from those "Easy Rider" years...RIP

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 03, 2010

    Dennis Hopper was the ultimate role model for all us old hippies at heart from those fabulous "Easy Rider" years...RIP Dude

    ReplyDelete

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