Oprah's Adoptee Sister

I missed Oprah's segment where she revealed that she has a sister, a half-sister, whom was surrendered to adoption.  Yes, believe it or not, I missed it.  But luckily, other bloggers didn't.  Here's who has been blogging about it recently:

"I Quit Oprah" by Chronicles of Munchkin Land
"Is it absolutely so freaking shocking that someone successful could have a birth mother for a mother? Or is the stereotype of birth mothers so deeply ingrained in our society that we believe that mothers who “give away” their babies will pass on sub-par genes to any and all children that come from their loins?"

"Oprah Meets Half-Sister.... " at Ethica
"Winfrey was born to unmarried teenage parents and raised by both her maternal grandmother in Mississippi and her mother, who moved to Milwaukee. She spent part of her youth with the man she considered her father, Vernon, in Nashville" (quoting CBS news).

"Oprah Winfrey Shocks Viewers by Revealing Her Adopted Sister Secret" by UAI
"Oprah Winfrey became the subject of the news today when she revealed to a shocked audience that she has a secret sister. Oprah claimed that her sister, Patricia, was put up for adoption at birth. They are half sisters from the same mother and Oprah claim that her mother never revealed the other sister to her until recently."

"Oooooh, Oprah Reveals Half Sister Given up for Adoption" by write-o-holic
"Skeptic that I am, I don’t believe for one second that Oprah didn’t know about her mother giving up her half-sister for adoption until recently. People like Oprah manage their lives, and manipulate the presentation of their personal information. They wouldn’t get so far if they didn’t."

"Oprah Family Secret Revealed: Patricia" by AMERICAN INDIAN ADOPTEES
A friend told me to watch Oprah TODAY (she insisted!!) and so I did. I was stunned to hear that Oprah's mother Vernita had a baby she gave up for adoption 47 years ago, and didn't tell anyone, including Oprah. Today's show revealed their FAMILY SECRET - and their reunion with the adoptee Patricia!

"Oprah Reunited: Her Mother Relinquished in 1963" by Family Preservation Blog
"Orpah, now that you have learned that you are personally touched by adoption loss and separation, I hope and pray you will become a powerful voice to help end state discrimination against adoptees."

"Oprah reveals she has half-sister; her mother was afraid to admit the secret" by First Mother Forum
"That's just what we've been talking about here yesterday: how first/birth mothers give up their children because they feel they have no options. That's why I prefer the words: given up. We relinquish our children when we give up. We are like people in a shipwreck, floating around in the ocean, holding onto a life preserver for as long as we can...and then we see no hope is coming, the sharks are circling around, and we give up. We give up our babies"

"Oprah" by Von
"In the glare of publicity, which she has chosen, since it has been a secret since November, reunion if indeed that is what it is called, when you didn't know someone existed, will be hard to achieve well.It is hard enough at the best of times in the privacy of our own homes!When I see those trying to make this work in front of cameras with the world watching I wonder just how much they really want this person in their lives and how much they are prepared to jeapodise."

"Oprah's Family Secret" by AdoptionTalk
"Patricia said she always hoped her birth mother would return for her. By 17, she was a single mother. She has two grown children, a daughter and son" (quoting indystar).

It's estimated that 60% of all people in the U.S. are some how directly connected to adoption, whether by being a member of the adoption constellation themselves, or knowing someone who is.  Oprah now knows that she is one of this 60% and has the opportunity to present views that others might not readily be aware about.

I have mixed feelings about things like this in the media.  I think realistic portrayals of issues in adoption, especially from the seldom heard from members within the adoption constellation is a good thing.  But on the same note, I feel that it may be nothing more than entertainment for people who view our lives as strange and our stories as novelties.  I hope this coverage will be a time where light is shed on the secrecy in adoption, the normalcy and validity in wanting to know one's roots, and where more people can learn and advocate for Adoptee Rights.