Race Together

Update: Unsurprisingly, Race Together is already over.

My good friend Adam (who is an awesome cartoonist) used to work at Starbucks. When I heard about the "Race Together" campaign, my first thought was, "Wow, they found a way to make that job worse." 

Adam is a super chill guy who could probably field some poignant conversations about race, but trying to do so when you're slinging Frappucinos is a tall order.

Check out Adam's latest work in The Block and follow him on tumblr or Instagram

Adam: The Birth Search, Part 3 (the conclusion)

 Part 1.   Part 2.

Thus concludes this chapter of Adam's birth search.

I asked Adam, at the very end of our interview, if he regretted that his hopes had been raised so high right at the beginning of his trip.

"It was a deep disappointment. I’m not sure if I’m angry at myself. Getting hopeful is okay. If I could do it over again, I wouldn’t let go of that. It was pretty awesome. The disappointment was just as important to feel. There was a lot of unresolved feelings about my abandonment and adoption that came grinding out during that time. I had to do this. This was just the beginning. I’ll probably be doing this for a very long time.

  The more I learn about where I came from, the more I knew where I was going. Most of my life I felt like I was aimlessly wandering and I didn’t know where I was going. A lot of that is because I don’t know anything about my past.

Even though I don’t have all the answers, some of the past has taken shape. Even with the highs and lows, I feel that I know myself a little more. I’m happy about that. It’s a daily struggle with everything I’ve talked about, but it’s easier to face it than it is to run away from it."  - Adam. 2014

Adam: The Birth Search, Part 2

Part 1 of the Birth Search is here.

Once again, TO BE CONTINUED.

The third installment will be up next week! What will Adam find in the orphanages? Will he track down the mysterious social worker?

Adam: The Birth Search

 The first part of Adam's story is here.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Adam's birth search story is pretty long (my interview notes go on for about eight pages), so I'm breaking it up into pieces. I'll post the rest next week.

Adam

 

Adam is currently raising money to return to Korea. This time he's going to try to find his family. His goal is a very modest $2,000. You can read more about his story over here.

Adam is a very important friend...a genuinely interesting and wonderful person. Seeing the positive changes in him as he's become more active in Korean adoptee groups and after travelling to Korea has deeply impressed me with the importance of adult adoptees seeking out these connections. As mentioned in the comic, however, please tread carefully. Returning to your birthland can be an emotional minefield, so make sure you have support and are openly communicating your feelings with people you trust.

You're the best, Adam. Good luck on your trip.

Follow up