Many of us have been amazed at the articles written about Guatemalan Adoption. NONE of us want our friends or aquaintenances to think that we have adopted a kidnapped child. Yet time and time again, these stories taint our cherished adoption stories. In thinking how we could get the word out, Kevin came up with a good idea....lets start an email campaign. If all of us encourage our friends and relatives to pass on this information to 10 other friends and they pass it on to 10 more friends, we can easily get the word out about the realities of Guatemalan adoption. But PLEASE, PLEASE don't spam...
Here is the letter:
Guatemail.doc (Word format - download)
Guatemail.htm (HTML - copy & paste)
This e-mail campaign has been read by and received the endorsement of Hannah Wallace. So PLEASE, let's not just sit back and watch the public get exposed to a bunch of anti-adoption rhetoric. We can make a difference and it is as easy as cut, paste, and send. If you don't care for my wording or message, then please write your own version. If you’d like to use portions of it but not the whole thing, you have the author’s permission so long as nothing is presented out of context.
It doesn't do any good for all of us to get angry when we read these things unless we do something about it. If the anti-adoption crusaders want to use the mass media in order to spread their propaganda, let's beat them at their own game by spreading the truth!
PS: I (Kelly) cannot take credit for the email text...believe me, I am not THAT good of a writer;-)
Thank you Kelly! I've tried my best to inform friends and relatives of the situation and threat to Guatemalan adoptions, but it's so hard to sum it up as well as you did.
One question, though, are the DNA tests a Guatemalan requirement or a US requirement?
Thanks!
(another) Kelly
mom to Will (4, bio) and waiting for Rosemary (6 months yesterday)
Kelly,
An email campaign is a great idea.
I have another idea since I was told yesterday by our agency that the US Embassy in Guatemala is rejecting the vast majority of DNA cases due to silly reasons. Would another petition to our U.S Department of State to correct the situation in the be in order?
Let me know if I can help.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Lawler at September 25, 2003 01:16 PMAWESOME idea! If we don't stand up for the truth about Guatemalan adoptions and relay the biases of UNICEF and Casa Alianza, who will? My one suggestion is not to include the sensationalized Chicago Tribune article that was worsened by the SC paper even though you explain your position so well. My reasoning is just the old adage that if false info is repeated enough, people believe it despite the detailed facts and more complicated truth.
Posted by: Lauren at September 25, 2003 01:44 PMKelly and everyone who drafted this
Thanks again for all of your efforts! I just wanted to point out that not all DNA tests are completed when the child is 1-2 months old. In fact, our daughter is 10 months old and we have yet to get DNA testing completed.
And, depending on the age of the child at referral, not everyone has a birthpicture.
Minute details, I know, but details I felt I should point out for any adoptive families who want to use this text but who may want to change these two bits of information if their particular adoption merits it.
Tina
Posted by: Tina at September 25, 2003 02:44 PMClearly, everyone can and should personalize this email and put a personal message to those to whom you're sending it, but I'm encouraging agencies as well as individual families to start sending something like this out....
I don't remember when the John Sayles movie is going to be released, but one of our staff in NY just heard something on "alternative radio", where Daryl Hannah was saying: "It's about rich American women going to Latin America to buy babies". Forewarned is forearmed....this is a "progressive" film-maker, who is very popular with those of us who hold "progressive leanings" and its going to reach an audience who might be swayed, inadvertantly. Warm regards, Hannah
Posted by: hannah wallace at September 25, 2003 04:25 PMWhat a great idea!! I have sent this email to everyone I can think of. We have to get the true word out about UNICEF.
Posted by: Laura Johnson at September 25, 2003 05:02 PMThank you for your continued advocacy on so many fronts!
Nearly two weeks into a resumed working PGN, what can you tell us about their progress?
Hi,
I like the idea of an email information campaign but I think the proposed email is way too long to be effective. I think it is reasonable to assume many will not nescessarily read past the first screen of text even if they like the sender.
It needs an attention grabbing topic sentence and a topic paragraph that sums up the whole argument in three or four sentences. After that it can be as long as desired. Newspapers come up with outrageous headlines for a reason. We should not be outrageous, but I think we do need a little more "oomph".
Posted by: Karen Brush at September 25, 2003 07:05 PMI thought the letter was great. And I started it with my own personal story. Hopefully, if I am sending this to my friends, they will be interested enough in me to read it.
Thanks for taking the time to put it together for us.
Posted by: Jack at September 25, 2003 08:47 PMDo we know if Susana will post...I really look forward to her updates !
Posted by: Jean at September 26, 2003 10:37 AMThank you just does not tell you how grateful we all are for you and the other ADA's who have prevailed in the fight!!! You have taken on so much and we know there is still much to do.
For now though, WE NEED YOU TO KEEP POSTING YOUR WEEKLY UPDATES. You are the only real source of information for most of us and we have come to rely on you greatly. Please try to keep us informed if you can. Many of us are still very unsure of what to expect from PGN and know you will keep them on their toes.
Again, thank you
Thank you. I agree with Fran above. I am a waiting parent, and I have no source of information aside from your website.
For example, have any children post March 5th come into the United States yet?
All the best to you, Valerie
I have been so very appreciative of Susana's thursday posts, and am curious if she'll post next thursday?
Posted by: Sara at September 28, 2003 11:34 AMAnyone hearing anything on DNA testing????? Our agency keeps saying next week we will know something....then next week then next week then.........
Posted by: TA at September 29, 2003 02:51 PM