White Mother Defends Controversial Remarks After Asking Adopted Black Daughter to Carry Rice on Her Head ‘Like an African’

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Kaylee Wilson, a white mother, has faced significant online criticism after a video surfaced in which she asked her adopted Black daughter, Wella, to balance a heavy bag of rice on her head while shopping. The video, which quickly went viral, drew backlash for its insensitivity, particularly after Wilson was heard telling the nine-year-old, “It’s in your blood.”

The video shows Wella, originally born in Ghana, visibly struggling with the 20-pound sack of Royal Basmati rice. As the child tries to manage the weight, Wilson can be heard instructing, “Put it on your head, like an African.” Wella, clearly finding the task difficult, grimaces in discomfort and says “ow!” as she feels the weight of the bag.

Wilson then attempted to carry the rice sack herself, humorously struggling with its weight as she walked down the aisle. However, it was her initial comments that sparked outrage across social media platforms. Many users found the remarks deeply problematic, especially given the racial dynamics involved in Wilson’s adoption of Wella and her other Black daughter.White Mother Defends Controversial Remarks After Asking Adopted Black Daughter to Carry Rice on Her Head ‘Like an African’

Critics pointed out that Wilson’s comment, “This is like in your blood,” perpetuates harmful stereotypes about African culture and heritage. Online commentators were quick to voice their disapproval, with some questioning Wilson’s understanding of cultural sensitivity in raising her adopted daughters.

One commenter expressed frustration, stating, “It’s in your blood was not a cute thing to say to her.” Another criticized, “You have no shame. That poor baby deserves so much better.” Others pointed out the problematic nature of equating a physical task with an innate cultural trait, noting that Wilson’s words demonstrated a lack of awareness of the historical context.

Despite the backlash, Wilson defended herself in a follow-up post on Instagram. She emphasized that her family had spent over two years living in various African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, immersing themselves in the local culture. She explained that locals “love when we partake in their culture,” and she expressed excitement about her family’s upcoming move to Lagos.

“We’ve spent time with the people, learning their culture,” Wilson wrote. “They don’t get offended, and we look forward to moving back to Lagos soon.”

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While some of Wilson’s supporters praised her for adopting children from Africa and immersing herself in different cultures, many remained unconvinced, questioning whether her remarks reflected deeper insensitivity. One commenter remarked, “The fact that you don’t know why your words are insensitive tells me all that I need to know.”

Amid the controversy, the Wilson family announced their plans to adopt a third child from Africa, a process that will require them to relocate to Nigeria for at least six months. Wilson explained that she feels a calling to adopt children and provide them with a loving home.White Mother Defends Controversial Remarks After Asking Adopted Black Daughter to Carry Rice on Her Head ‘Like an African’

As discussions about transracial adoption and cultural sensitivity continue to gain traction, Wilson’s video has ignited an important conversation about the responsibilities adoptive parents have in understanding and respecting the cultures of their children. For many, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between embracing another culture and unintentionally reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

The conversation around Wilson’s video underscores a growing awareness of the need for sensitivity, particularly in the context of interracial families. While intentions may be good, words and actions can have lasting effects, and many hope that the debate sparked by this incident will lead to more mindful conversations on cultural respect and responsibility in adoption.

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