A white father has sparked outrage online by seeking assistance from the ‘black TikTok’ community to help style the hair of his adopted black daughter.
Will, the 36-year-old dad from Dallas, Texas, garnered backlash for a now-deleted video where he sought advice on managing his infant daughter Zoe’s hair. Users criticized him for exploiting his child for attention and demonstrating inadequate parenting skills.
This incident sheds light on the complexities of interracial adoptions and the trend of using social media for self-promotion and virtue signaling.
In the removed video, Will addressed his 34,000 followers, expressing his uncertainty about caring for Zoe’s hair and requesting guidance from black parents or individuals familiar with styling black children’s hair.
While some TikTok users offered genuine suggestions, many condemned Will and his husband, who is also white, for adopting a black child seemingly for social media validation.
Critics highlighted Will’s lack of research on raising a black girl and his immediate recourse to social media instead of seeking advice from knowledgeable sources.
Mary_says, a TikTok user specializing in childcare, urged Will to educate himself on anti-racism to become a more competent parent to Zoe.
Following the backlash, Will made his social media accounts private, but not before users shared his previous posts featuring Zoe, their dogs, and their affluent lifestyle.
In response to the controversy, Will expressed regret over his initial post, acknowledging the need to create a supportive community for Zoe that includes individuals who share her racial background.
The incident underscores the challenges of transracial adoptions, where white parents adopt children of different races. While supporters argue that love transcends skin color, critics emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting a child’s cultural heritage.
Black adoptees have voiced the struggles of being raised in environments that do not reflect their racial identities, highlighting the need for sensitivity and awareness in transracial adoption practices.
This situation prompts reflection on the complexities and responsibilities involved in raising children from diverse racial backgrounds, emphasizing the significance of cultural competence and inclusivity in parenting.