“Best interests of the child” has never been neutral. It’s how the state disguises control as compassion. #adopteesky

I started a Substack. A place to go deeper, beyond the posts and the episodes. Essays and reflections connecting adoption, family policing, and the systems that shape our lives. The first post is live: adopteescrossinglines.substack.com #adopteesky

Every time the state says it’s “saving children,” someone is getting paid. Billions in federal dollars flow through the family policing system each year, not to keep families together, but to remove and rehome children. This isn’t protection. It’s profit. #adopteesky

Adoption doesn’t exist outside the family policing system—it depends on it. Behind every “forever family” headline is surveillance, removal, and profit from separation. #adopteesky

Adoption doesn’t “save” children, it rewards the state for separating them. Most removals happen because of poverty, not abuse. Families aren’t unsafe. They’re unsupported. When we resource families, we dismantle the family policing system, piece by piece. #adopteesky

NAAM isn’t about awareness, it’s a state sponsored marketing campaign. Every November, the family policing system rebrands family separation as “love.” It’s time to tell the truth: adoption isn’t liberation. Abolition is. #adopteesky

The scariest thing this Halloween? SNAP benefits are running out, 42 million Americans rely on them. Communities are feeding each other while the government does nothing. Hunger isn’t inevitable. It’s a policy choice. #adopteesky

Trump is breaking the law again and separating families. #adopteesky

*pretends to be shocked* #adopteesky

Since 2016, Arizona’s Department of Child Safety has paid out $30 million in settlements, most for wrongful child removals. These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re proof that the family policing system causes harm and then makes taxpayers pay for it. #adopteesky

In Laurel County, these new programs represent a shift — from surveillance to support, and from punishment to possibility. #adopteesky

MA Appeals Court weighs if DCF failed to make “reasonable efforts” before taking permanent custody. The outcome could redefine how reunification is handled. #adopteesky

Using “child welfare” to justify family separation violates due process and harms kids. We can protect children without punishment. #adopteesky

Too many kids disappear each year in the family policing system across the country. #adopteesky

16 year old Kanaiyah Ward died alone in a Baltimore hotel while under DHS “care.” Maryland promised to end foster youth hotel placements years ago. How many more? #adopteesky #JusticeForKanaiyah

Kids are dying in state custody. The agency’s excuse? “It’s not a system yet.” #adopteesky

Pennsylvania’s HB1873 challenges CPS overreach, clarifying that kids playing outside or walking to school isn’t neglect. Families deserve trust, not surveillance. #adopteesky

Before foster care, there’s poverty. Before “neglect,” there’s need. Before surveillance, there’s struggle. Families don’t need to be rescued — they need resources, rest, and community care. #adopteesky

WA will pay $9M to Ashley Miller, who was abused “countless times” in Pierce Co. foster care. Her case shows systemic issues, ignored check ins, absences, & red flags. #adopteesky

Thank you for holding space while I paused. 🩵 This work is still alive. And I’m glad you’re here.

I’m back ✨ and I’ve got something exciting to share! Next season will feature a mini series on adoption in the media 🎬. My editor and friend (@itsjway.bsky.social) will be joining me as we unpack how adoption shows up in movies, TV — the good, the bad, and the messy in between.

Would yall tune in to a special series where I’m dissecting themes of adoption / family policing in the media with a cohost? 👀

Come on through if you can! 🫶🏾

New episode on Friday with @itsjway.bsky.social reflecting on the Black Mother's March. #adopteesky

🎙️ 2 episodes left this season! I’ll be back next year—plus launching Patreon (bonus pods + other exclusive content) and Substack to keep the show sustainable. What topics or perks would make them worth your support? Drop ideas 👇🏾 #adopteesky

Two years of no contact and two years of freedom! 🩵 #adopteesky

Wild how some adopters choose adoption but won’t show up for the kids they took in. Feels more like it was about their own needs than actually supporting a child. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Kat’s episode is out now! @kadasaurus.bsky.social Listen here: pod.link/1651229727 #adopteesky

Adoption is often treated as a means to an end, with adopters frequently continuing to try having biological children because we were never what they truly wanted. Episode drops on Friday with @kadasaurus.bsky.social #adopteesky

upEND’s Program Director Josie Pickens writes for @newsoneofficial.bsky.social: Malcolm X’s early life—shaped by racist terrorism and family separation—planted the seeds of his radicalism. He saw through the lie of state benevolence. newsone.com/6165220/malc...

Adoption is built on secrecy, deception, and cruel lies. This episode with @kadasaurus.bsky.social comes out on Friday! #adopteesky

Attending the Black Mother’s March for the first time was powerful. As someone who lost both parents, especially my mom, it meant everything to be in community fighting the system that tried to break us. I’ll keep showing up. Black families deserve to stay together. #adopteesky

Yes 🫶🏾 Still taking in this whole weekend for the Black Mother’s March. I hope to see more adopted folks there next year!

It was a happy Mother’s Day because I wasn’t alone, I got to honor my mom and I was around people who understand the violence of the family policing system. 🩵

We don't owe gratitude for being adopted! Check out my new episode with Aretha today! pod.link/1651229727 #adopteesky

We should be centering the child when we talk about their adoption. 🤷🏾‍♀️ #adopteesky

Children deserve to be treated with autonomy and respect. This episode with Aretha comes out on Friday! #adopteesky

New episode dropped today with (itsjway.bsky.social) 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 pod.link/1651229727

The Adoptee Film Fest is looking for judges! Application deadline is extended until tomorrow. linktr.ee/adopteefilmf...

Anybody else relate? 🙋🏾‍♀️ (@itsjway.bsky.social) #adopteesky

Stay tuned for this weeks episode with my editor and fellow adoptee (@itsjway.bsky.social) 🤷🏾‍♀️ 🤷🏾‍♀️ 🤷🏾‍♀️ #adopteesky

Mutual aid episode is out today! 🩵 pod.link/1651229727/e... #adopteesky

I feel like I was put here to tell stories and I also see it as an act of resistance. 🩵 #adopteesky

We have to continue to resist the empire! #adopteesky

We're talking about mutual aid next week on the show! #adopteesky

Welcome J Way (@itsjway.bsky.social) to the team! 🥹 She's also a survivor of the family policing system, which makes this even more special. #adopteesky

Black mothers have always been on the frontlines—fighting for their children and for our survival. On May 11, they’re taking that fight to D.C. for the Black Mothers March on the White House. A movement for justice. For wholeness. For abolition.

Alex’s episode is out today. This moment really resonated with me. 🩵

Alex started the Adoptee Film Fest because she felt like it was something she really needed herself and the impact it’s had on the broader adoptee community can’t even be fully comprehended.