Letter: Adoption: black child, white parents

Sir: I resent the implication made by the social worker ('Adoption: the issue in black and white', 13 January) that all white families would adopt a black child only on a basis of 'second best is better than nothing'. To assume that a couple would much prefer a white child is to assume a racism which, thankfully, is not universal.

My brother, of Somalian parentage, was adopted by my parents as a baby and has developed into a normal, happy teenager with no apparent identity crisis. When he encountered racism at school, it was no more than that received by his black friends from black families. If anything, coming from a white family helped to show him that racism is a narrow- minded attitude that is certainly not shared by all white people.

Our mixed family has aroused curiosity, and very occasionally hostility, but it has more often served to broaden people's minds and help them to look further than the race issue. While my brother has undoubtedly grown up 'Westernised', I think he has to a certain extent remained true to his roots, preferring black singers and role models. He has a wide circle of both black and white friends and has grown up knowing that he is as good as the next person, with the confidence to deal with any racism he encounters.

A cultural match is important, but more important is a loving family. While children should not be placed in culturally different families as 'guinea pigs' to improve racial integration, the 'like with like' policy is not as clear cut as it is often made out to be.

Yours sincerely,

KATE PRIESTMAN

Edgbaston,

Birmingham