Grace's Dad and the Ignorant People

As Tom was getting ready to hold a meeting at work last week, he heard the words 'Chinese' and 'Adoption' come from the TV that was playing in the background. That always makes us stop and listen, so he paused for a moment to watch the TV. What he saw was the story of Gong Lu on the Today Show (click the links for more info on this touching story). While the Director of Gong Lu's orphanage was speaking to the translator in Chinese, one of Tom's employees starts mocking her and makes a derogatory comment about Chinese people. Tom spun around and asked the guy to repeat himself, which of course he didn't, but just looked at Tom blankly until Tom said "My daughter is Chinese". You could have heard a pin drop as the people who knew about our adoption watched the uncomfortable interaction that was taking place. Suffice it to say that Tom had a few other words to say in educating this ignorant idiot.

We're beginning to see the ignorance all around us, whether it be from people thinking they know everything about Chinese adoption or comments about Chinese people in general. And the word 'chink'...that word cuts like a knife. I've always been quick to correct people when I feel that something has been said that could potentially offend our daughter and clearly offends us, and Tom would just leave that to me. But lately, I see the protectiveness that he feels over his child, and I can't help but be proud of that. He's ready. He's ready to be Grace's dad and I pity the fool who ever hurts her.