Letter of Transmittal

Narrative
When I was writing my narrative my audience were my teacher, my parents
and my peers. What I hoped to accomplish was to tell through my narrative
how adoption is an amazing thing. That being adopted is a great way for the
child(s) to have better opportunity to have a great life, where they are loved
and taken care of. The other thing I hoped to accomplish was to show that
being adopted isnt the end but a beginning of a new life and by giving hope.
When I was adopted I had severe behavioral issues. Being adopted by loving
and caring parents who love me, they helped me to over come those
behavioral issues by teaching me whats right and wrong, they put me in
therapy and helped while I was doing therapy. Being adopted my life has
changed for the better thanks to my parents. When I wrote my narrative I
was writing about everything that happened to me instead of focusing on one
theme. Then I changed it so it would focus on how being adopted has
changed my life and how being adopted is a great thing. During my drafts I
struggled because I wouldnt put enough details and descriptions of specific
things that I would do with detail. Then I changed it so it had some areas
where I explained in great detail about what I did and how exactly I did it. I
have grown as a writer by understanding the process of writing and the steps
required to take to make a good piece of writing. I have struggled at the
begging of the semester but I have noticed that the more I write and
understand how to write better, I do better with less revisions as before for
my essays.
Narrative:
Being adopted, as an older child from Kazakhstan to normal family life was
harder then it sounds. My birth parents were alcoholics and abusive. I was
left alone as a toddler for long periods of time while they went out drinking.
When I was around 5 years old my father attempted to stab me but my
mother intervened. He managed to stab me in the leg and left a scar that I
still have. Unfortunately he did succeed in stabbing my mother to death. He
then set our house on fire and died in the flames. I was sent to live with my
grandparents but they werent any better. They were also alcoholics and
abusive. The little money they had they spent on alcohol so we had to dig
through trashcans for food. I often ran away and stole food from stores.
Eventually I got sent to an orphanage when I was 7 years old. The orphanage
had about 200 children with only 8 adults working there. There wasnt
enough supervision so the children would abuse each other in ways you
couldnt imagine.

My life changed dramatically when my adoptive American parents

adopted me. Suddenly I had toys to play with and my own clothes to wear. I
never had my own belongings before. With my birth family I was constantly
starving sometimes going days without food. In the orphanage we were fed
every day but it wasnt enough. My first meal with my new parents was
lentil stew. My mother made it. After I had finished my bowl my mother said
I could have seconds. I didnt even know what seconds were. I couldnt
believe it, I was so surprised. I didnt just have seconds I also had thirds.
Even though I had all the food I needed and wanted I couldnt stop stealing
food. For years I struggled with the idea that I wouldnt get enough food. At
night I would sneak into the kitchen and steal food from the cupboards. One
night while everybody was asleep I decided to go and steal some food from
the kitchen. It was dark but I could see where I was going from the window
light. I quickly and quietly snuck past my parents bedroom, walked into the
kitchen and I looked for something to steal. I opened the fridge and looked
inside. I saw a stick of butter and for some reason I ate that. I took a bite of
butter, it was creamy. Then I put it back and snuck back into my room and
went to bed. I used to steal anything edible. I didnt differentiate between
ingredients that would be used to cook with and whole foods. I would steal
salt, sugar and butter as much as whole foods such as bread, fruit and
cookies. In my mind anything that was edible was food. Food was a constant
anxiety for me.
Everyone I had known before being adopted starved, hurt, and
neglected me. Even though my new family was loving I couldnt believe that
the abuse was over. I didnt sleep; I would hide under my bed and behind the
couch. It wasnt long before I was put into therapy. I learned about trauma,
apparently I had severe posttraumatic stress disorder. It would take years and
four therapists before I would over come it.
In Kazakhstan I didnt receive proper education. My parents put me in
public school but because I was so far behind the school didnt know what to
do with me. My mother homeschooled me. I was taught math, English,
reading and basic things such as colors, shapes and telling time. It was
discovered that I had Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This disorder caused
me to have some learning disabilities that still affect me now. It is frustrating
at times because it keeps me from moving forward at the same pace as
normal people. I struggle to understand basic jokes, movie plots or how to
interact with people. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder happens when a
mother drinks excessive alcohol when her fetus is still developing. I feel
resentful towards my birth mother for doing this to me. I will live with this
for the rest of my life.

Another surprising thing that I had to learn was proper hygiene. That
was a bigger thing to learn then you could imagine. Until I was adopted I
was never properly clean. I had never brushed my teeth. My parents took me
to the dentist. We found out that nearly all of my teeth had cavities and some
of them were rotten. Luckily most of my teeth were baby teeth. Before the
dentist started working on my teeth he gave me multiple shots to numb my
mouth. Watching the needle go into my mouth was terrifying. He then used a
drill on my cavities. He also had to pull 3 or 4 of my teeth. Seeing all the
different tools the dentist used and hearing the noise of the drill started to
trigger my PTSD. I didnt feel any pain because the dentist gave me the
maximum amount of Novocaine but I started to scream and thrash my legs
around. My father had to hold my legs down. I had lost control of myself. I
felt like I wanted to run away and hide. I wished more than anything that the
dentist would stop. I didnt understand that if the dentist stopped my teeth
would never be better and I would be in even more pain. But the work had to
be done because chewing with my back teeth was almost impossible because
of the pain. I had thousands of dollars of dental work done.
There were other cultural changes that I had to adjust to. There were
many cars and more stores than I had ever seen or heard of. I had never seen
airplanes before. I was constantly over stimulated.
Some behaviors were so extreme Im amazed that my parents kept
me. Id make the same bad choices over and over again, struggling to learn
right from wrong. Im almost 19 years old and have lived with my family for
11 years. Im only now starting to get over some of my worst struggles;
some of them will always be with me, like FASD. Some people think that
life becomes easy when youre taken away from the abuse but they dont
know how difficult it is to heal. My healing process has lasted longer than
my abuse. Being adopted isnt an end but a beginning.

Rhetorical Analyses
When I wrote my rhetorical analyses my intended audience were the teacher
and my class peers. What I hoped to accomplish was show that I can analyze
a piece of text, with out just writing about it. At the begging when we were
given this assignment I wasnt sure what we were supposed to do or how.
When I went to the lab for this assignment I got better clarification about
how to do it and some help to get me started. I am so grateful for the labs I
think they are very helpful. Once I understood that I was supposed to
analyze the text, it made it easier to write it. My first draft was me writing
about the text, just like I would an essay. Then I saw some examples and got
help and I changed it so that I am writing about what the text is. Once I
started doing the assignment the right way it was easier to write about it. I
have never done a rhetorical analyses essay. Writing this was very
interesting and I really liked it.
Rhetorical Analysis
Behemoth in a bathrobe was written by Carla Seaquist and published on
the Huff Post. It was published on May of 2014. Carla Seaquist is a writer
and play wrighter. Since 9/11 she has focused on writing op-eds for national
newspapers, most regularly The Christian Science Monitor. The author is
telling the world that it has to change. Seaquist writes that America is talking
with its own conscience. Its telling itself it has been consumed with filth,
the behavior has gotten worse, and instead of praising real heroes we praise
unreal kind of celebrities. That its avoiding the issues, it has become
mindless and the reason for all of this is fear. America is telling itself to be
more mindful, to reduce the fear and dont be manipulated. In Seaquists
article she uses logos to state why America is the way it is. It uses pathos tell
why America is afraid and what its afraid of. The author uses ethos to figure
out the solution and to say what its going to do about it. America used to be
a great nation; there were endless possibilities in America. But America lost
something. It has lost its spark as the author puts it. The question is why
and how? Its because we watch trash TV that exalt humiliation, violence,
sex we dont praise or celebrate those who save but weve reverted to
the unreal kind--- celebrities Seaquist writes. The other reason is because
when things happen against our will we dont do anything to stop it from
happening. Such as when president Bush went to war with Iraq and to
torture. We dont raise our voices enough to make a difference. We give our
input but then just sit down or go about with our lives. The author gives the
example of the 2008 financial crash with occupy Wall Street All these

things have helped America to lose its spark. This article by Carla Seaquist
uses pathos to tell why America is afraid and what its afraid of. The author
uses ethos to figure out the solution and to say what its going to do about it.
The author also has excellent use of organization throughout her article.
The next appeal this article uses is pathos. The author asks Behemoth
Now what are we avoiding? In reply Seaquist writes, The still, small
voice raises the very big thing. Fear. America feels fear even though it tries
to avoid it. Its afraid of its own destruction. Its afraid of physical
annihilation, financial annihilation, planetary annihilation from the
article. The question then is what to do with the fear? We could either face it
or ignore it. America chooses to reduce the fear for starters, the author
explains.
Which leads to the appeal ethos. America tells itself to be more mindful
because it has been mindless and not caring about what happens to itself. In
the article America tells itself to Question the use of labels---good
evil--- but dont be afraid to apply them when needed. Question
premises, motives the author explains. America needs to decide things
for itself and not be controlled by others or its emotions. America tells itself
to not let its fear be manipulated. Why, because History is replete with
people manipulated by fear which is why so much history is tragic she
says. Is it to late to act and fix myself America wonders? No, there is still
hope; its never too late. The article reads, who knows, but we Americans
must learn to live in our world, not retreat. Harness the fear and use it. Live
with questions as well as answers--- in a word accept complications
Seaquist writes. There is hope, if America comes together to and works
together to change. Then lastly America gets excited and says This is our
opportunity to mature. In fact, metaphysically, this could lead to an
American existentialism--- yes! Taking action in a hostile universe.
America decides to take a chance to change and be better. It feels hopeful
and excited, even though it will be difficult.
The author has excellent organization. She starts out by telling the
Behemoth why its hearing I cant so much. Then by asking the Behemoth
What has happened to us? the author writes. Then she goes on to talk about
the different things that happened to America. Seaquist writes, Were
consuming trash TV and reality shows that exalt humiliation, violence,
sex Then she goes on to say how we are feeding our faces, far too
much. Weve gotten so distracted and silly as the author puts it, that
vital issues get past us. Seaquist writes. Then the author continues on
saying weve become mindless. Why? Because we are avoiding fear she
says. The author goes on by asking what needs to be done. She says

Reduce the fear for starters. That we need to be more Mindful. She says
to not let our fear be manipulated because history is replete with people
manipulated by fear, which is why so much history is tragic. Then the voice
asks Behemoth if they should suit up? This shows that America is ready
and willing to make the changes, no matter how difficult they would be. All
of these points help this dialogue to flow smoothly from one point to the
next.
Carla Seaquist did a great job over all using pathos, ethos and
organization to tell how America feels about itself. How America wants to
change and that it feels excited to change. America understands that it feels
fear, but its choosing to not give in to its fears. America also feels sad and
disappointed at itself for letting things get so bad. In the end of the article
America asks itself Will we ever laugh again? The answer is Our easy
smile has gone, but an earned one will come: our work is not about grimness
but passion. Despite everything that is happening to America it hasnt given
up on itself yet.

Issue Exploration Essay

My intended audience for this essay was my teacher and peers in the class.
What I hoped to accomplish with this essay was tell how being adopted from
a different country is great thing. I wanted to write about this because I am
adopted from Kazakhstan and I have 2 sisters who are also adopted. One is
adopted from China and the other one from Vietnam. This was my second
favorite essay to write, my first favorite was my narrative. When I started to
write about this I didnt have enough information and not the right kind of
information to help me accomplish what I intended. I also wasnt sure how
many sources we needed and the format that we were supposed to write it in.
Once again I went to the lab and I got help. I figured out my different points
of view, the good and the bad. Then I got home and researched the correct
information for my essay. Having the different points of view helped me to
write and have a starting point. Then I got help with my last draft during the
last lab. I need to put page numbers on the articles that I quoted in my essay
if the article had a page number. I have started to realize like I said earlier
that I have I think gotten better as the semester has gone by. I can tell when I
should leave something out and if more information, and details should be
added.
Issue Exploration Essay should race be a consideration in adoption?
Some people think that adopting children, they should be adopted by
the same race and color parents. They think that it separates the children
from their culture and that they could be made fun of. Others think that it
doesnt really matter, as long as the parents love their child(s)
unconditionally, are willing to provide for their needs and help them to learn
and grow. Also that race doesnt matter and that this provides the parents an
opportunity to learn about that child(s) culture and implement it in their
lives.

Separation from culture

Some people think that adopting children from that are different from
their parents will separate the children from their culture. The adoption
agency wonders about weather the parents will involve the childs culture in
their lives or if they will worry about it. In the article White mama Black
baby By Kemba J. Dunham she says, the transracial adoption
conversation gets particularly heated when a Black child is involved. Many
question whether Whites are truly up to the challenge. Will the child be
exposed to Black culture? How will he or she develop a healthy sense of
self? Another article by Gloria Batiste-Roberts tells us this Love is
necessary, but it is not sufficient. Children must be equipped, empowered
with the arsenal of their cultural traditions and heritage to protect and shield
them so that the seeds of love will have a chance to survive and flourish in
self-esteem, self-respect, racial identity and self-protection without denial of
the gifts of race and color God has so purposefully bestowed upon them.
(122). These articles tell us that culture is important for children and it
should be part of their lives. If it isnt a part of their lives then it could cause
separation from their parents.
Can hurt children emotionally

The other reason that some feel that same race parents should adopt
children is that the child(s) will be made fun of, feel inferior and be bullied.
In an article By Tina Griego she writes about a couple that adopt 2 older
children from Haiti who are both black. The mother says in the article I was
angry. So much of this coincided with my son becoming a teenager, and I
was seeing so many comments and posts on Facebook from people I have
loved for decades who betrayed their true feelings about racial issues. Many
said, 'As long as your kids stay good, they're okay.' And a lot of subtext was,
'Don't worry because they are being raised by white parents.' It struck me
that my kids are being raised in a halo of white privilege--when they are
with me. But they are not always going to be with me. It led to me to
understand how ignorant I have been, despite being open-minded and liberal
and an activist my whole life. It took this to understand what it means to
parent a child who is black." Another article By Elaine Jarvik and Lois M.
Collins says Whether they had black or biracial biological parents, as these
children in their new white families become teens, some may be unsure
where they fit in--the black world or the white world, both or in-between.
Some biracial adoptees even report being afraid of blacks. He said his
research found most got past those struggles, though their teen years were
often painful. The majority of the grown adoptees he interviewed are now

"doing fine." (A1) This shows that children who are different from others
that they will be treated differently and even have different expectations by
others that think that they are inferior to them.
Love and providing for their needs is all that matters
Therearethosewhothinkthatadoptingachildnomatterfromwhere,
thatitmakesnodifferencebecauseallthatmattersisthattheylovetheir
childunconditionally,theyprovidefortheirneedsandhelpthemtogrow,
learnandprogressinlife.ThereisanarticlebyFrancisX.Donnellythat
talksaboutamotherwhoadoptsadaughterthatsblack.DonnellysaysThe
NationalAssociationofBlackSocialWorkers,whichhasopposedbiracial
adoptionsfor35years,oncelikeneditto"culturalgenocide,"andsaidit's
importantforchildrentogrowupintheirownculture.Cultureisthebridge
thatlinksthepresentwiththepast,andthepastwiththefuture,according
totheWashington,D.C.,group'spolicystatementonbiracialadoption."Itis
aperson'svalues,beliefs,learnings,practicesandunderstandings."Butthe
mothersadoptivedaughterisdoingbettertheauthorwritesButStacey,18,
saysshehasn'tbeenhamperedbyculturaldifferences.Rather,shehas
blossomed.Childrenneedloveandtohavetheirneedsmeet.Parentswho
lovetheirchildren,providefortheirneeds,helpthemlearnandlovethem

willhavechildrenthatarehappyandthatwillnotcarethattheyaredifferent
fromtheirparentsbecausewhatreallymattersisthattheyarelovedand
takencareofproperly.
Opportunityforadoptiveparentstolearnaboutdifferentculture
Anotherreasonwhysomethinkthatinterracialadoptionisagood
thingisbecauseitgivestheparentsanopportunitytolearnabouttheir
child(s)culture.Theparentscansharetheirculturewiththeirchildrenand
viseversa.AnarticlebyElaineJarvikandLoisM.Collinssays,Introduce
foodsandcustomsandlanguagenativetothechild,expertsagree.Celebrate
allculturesanddifferences.BuyablackdollandawhiteoneandaNative
Americanone.Talkaboutdifferences,butalsonotesimilaritiesbetween
diversepeople.Celebrateboth.Thiswillhelptheadoptiveparentsandthe
childtobetterunderstandeachothersbackgroundsandcultures.Thiswill
helpdrawthefamilycloserinloveandunity.
Parentsshouldbeabletoadoptachildofanyraceorcoloraslongas
theyaregoodparentsthatwilltakecareofthechildsneedsandwilllove
himorherasifitistheirbiologicalsonordaughter.Ialsothinkthatbeing
adoptedshouldntbetheendofthatchildscultureandtheirtraditions.

WhenIwasadoptedmyparentskepttheculturefromwhereIwasadopted.I
alsohaveabrotherwhoisadoptedfromthesameplaceIwasadoptedandat
thesametime.PlusIhave2sistersthatwereadopted,onefromVietnam
andtheotherfromChina.Ithinkfamilieslikeoursareuniqueandthatthere
isabsolutelynothingwrongaboutthat.Eventhoughmyfamilyisfrom
differentpartsoftheworld,wecelebrateculturesfromalltheplacesweare
from.
Work cited

Donnelly, F. X. (2011, Jun 04). Love is colorblind. Detroit

News Retrieved from http://sks.sirs.com.libprox1.slcc.edu
Dunham, Kemba J. "White Mama, Black Baby." Essence. Sep. 2012: 160161. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
Batiste-Roberts, Gloria, and Gordon Johnson. "Should Black Children Only
Be Adopted by Black Parents?." Ebony (Vol. 63, No. 11). 24 Oct. 2008: 122123. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
Griego,Tina."HowOneWhiteMotherTalkedtoHerTwoBlackChildren
AboutRacism..."WashingtonPostBlogs.17Dec.2014:n.p.SIRSIssues
Researcher.Web.03Dec.2015.

Jarvik,Elaine,andLoisM.Collins."AddressingInterracialAdoptionIssues
Important."DeseretNews.01Feb.2010:A.1.SIRSIssuesResearcher.
Web.03Dec.2015.