Adoptees Crossing Lines

Root Work and Resilience: The Fight for Black FamiliesIn this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with Tamara and Tracey Robertson, sisters, healers, and advocates serving as Healers in Residence with Movement for Family Power. Together, they discuss their journey of resisting the harms of the family policing system, while centering Black birth traditions, ancestral wisdom, and community healing. From childhood foundations of faith and service to their powerful doula work, this conversation is a testament to the resilience and power of Black families protecting their own.In this episode, we cover:(03:03) What led Tamara and Tracey to do the healing work they do today.(07:41) Their introduction to the family policing system and how it fueled their advocacy.(16:02) Tamara’s story of caring for her brother and keeping him out of the system.(22:04) Doula work and challenges Black families face during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.(32:10) The erasure of Black birth traditions and the need for advocacy in hospital settings.(39:32) What it means to be a Healer in Residence with Movement for Family Power and disrupting the family policing system through love and community.Call To Action:Subscribe to Adoptees Crossing Lines wherever you listen to podcasts, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our Substack for more content and community:Website: adopteescrossinglines.comInstagram: @adopteescrossinglinesBlueSky: adopteecrossing.bsky.socialTikTok: @adopteescrossinglines_Substack: Adoptees Crossing Lines SubstackConnect with Tamara Robertson:Instagram: @queeeentamEmail: healer@movementforfamilypower.orgMovement for Family Power: movementforfamilypower.orgListen to these episodes next:Alan’s Episode: An insightful conversation with Alan, an abolitionist and advocate deeply rooted in efforts to dismantle the family policing system. Alan shares their journey of understanding the harmful impacts of the system, their personal experiences, and their vision for transformative change.Dorothy Roberts’ Episode: A powerful interview with Dorothy Roberts, acclaimed scholar and author of Torn Apart. Dorothy discusses the historical and present-day harms of the family policing system, offering a compelling argument for abolition and highlighting how systemic racism continues to harm Black families.Work With Me:Email adopteescrossinglines@gmail.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.Editing by J. Way (AV Editor)Special thanks to J. Way for editing the podcast. To collaborate with her, email her at jwayedits@gmail.com.

In this episode, we explore the complexities of adoption, privilege, and the narratives that shape our understanding of family. Through personal stories and critical reflections, we unpack the ways in which adoption is often framed as an unquestionable good while overlooking the systemic issues at play. We discuss the intersection of race, class, and power in adoption, the impact on adoptees, and the importance of centering their voices. This conversation challenges dominant narratives and invites listeners to consider the broader implications of adoption beyond individual experiences. 

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Send us a textKeshia The child welfare system is waging war on Black families, and Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey is on the front lines. In this episode, she shares her journey from foster child to family defender, exposing the racist roots of CPS and the urgent need for change.Keisha breaks down her tactics for protecting families during CPS investigations, from refusing home entry to shutting down fishing expeditions. Her success rates are fantastic: 95.8% of parental rights protected and 93.7% of families reunified."We already know, and we've already done in the past, like, right? Like, took care of ourselves, we took care of everybody else's kids too, right? We don't need the system to do it." What we discussed (00:23) Meet Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey(01:37) Adoptions and Safe Families Act(06:08) Reality of CPS investigations(12:17) Protecting families during CPS investigations(17:11) Reuniting 93.7% of families (23:46) Challenges of advocating for families OR Dealing with incompetence(28:56) We don’t need police for that OR The color of the system OR  Black families don’t need CPS OR We don’t need help OR Not everyone needs help(35:33) Affording counsel (43:39) Truth to powerLinksConnect with Keshia: Website | LinkedInFollow us on social media: Twitter | Instagram | TiktokCreditsSpecial thanks to Samuel Oyedele for editing our podcast, support his work on Instagram or e-mail him at Drumaboyiglobal@gmail.com