In our final segment with Rediet, we explore the deep psychological impact of transracial adoption, specifically how the titles of “Mom” and “Dad” are earned through emotional connection rather than legal transactions or financial responsibility. Rediet challenges the pervasive “savior narrative,” reminding us that she was a well cared for child in Ethiopia before being thrust into an environment that often devalued her Blackness and used materialism as a weapon to demand gratitude. This culture of silence led to significant emotional neglect, highlighted by the heartbreaking fact that Rediet had to translate her birth mother’s ID herself as an adult because her adoptive family never bothered to do so.

We also deconstruct the “bad kid” label Rediet carried for years, reframing her past behavior as a natural response to being traumatized and gaslit within an unsupportive system that failed to acknowledge her original identity. Today, Rediet has found strength and healing through the community of Black women and has reclaimed her autonomy, and has now successfully reconnected with her birth family. As she prepares to return to the “warmth” of her original culture, she leaves our listeners with a powerful message of validation: adoptees are not “crazy,” and our complex, often painful feelings about our adoption journey are entirely valid. We are not alone.

Thank you Rediet for sharing your story and your truth. We are honored.

xoxo – Lidet