ONWARD, BASTARD SOLDIERS

This is an archive of the original Bastard Quarterly newsletter, edited by Damsel Plum and Charles Filius. It was published in print and on the web between 1997 and 2002.

("Onward, Bastard Soldiers" is regular column dedicated to adoptee rights activism.)

ONWARD, BASTARD SOLDIERS!

From Primal Wallow to Purposeful Work: Do Your P.I.E.C.E."

by Damsel Plum

(This article first appeared in the Spring 1997 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)

Many people, upon first hearing Bastard Nation's name are taken aback, shocked, offended and confused. Why on earth would anyone, especially an adoptee, willingly call himself a Bastard? There is no doubt that we will have to explain many times over the fact that sealed records presume the shame of Bastardy and that we proudly reclaim the name of Bastard in our mission for equal treatment under the law. Once this is made clear some have been known to retort, "Gee, you guys are *militant*. Martin Luther King wouldn't approve..blah blah blah…".

Without wading into the morass of MLK vs. Malcolm X rhetoric, allow me to state clearly and categorically that Bastard Nation is indeed militant. This does not mean that we plan to burn Cabbage Patch dolls on Gladney's lawn or storm Vital Records offices across the nation. We do not. It does mean that we are wholeheartedly dedicated to the cause of equal rights and truth for all adult adoptees. And yes, we will do what it takes, from organizing and educating triadians and those who care about them on a local level to nation (and world)-wide media campaigns on issues concerning adult adoptees.

If this is militant, so be it. Docility and apologetics clearly aren't getting the job done.

One of the reasons I believe Bastard Nation is growing so quickly is that it strikes a chord with adoptees tired of wallowing in the self-defeatist, second-best, victim status conferred upon them by society, their families or the "Primal Wound". Ever hear the phrase "whiny adoptee"? Naturally, anyone who doesn't agree with another person's dissatisfaction can comfortably dismiss that person by calling him "whiny", "angry" or "maladjusted". Fact is, I'd rather be called angry than whiny. Angry people are a force to be reckoned with. Whiny people are just annoying.

In order to graduate from victimhood to empowerment, we have to learn to do purposeful work for adoptees. For some, this may involve the more traditional psychological therapies, but I propose that this, without dedication to the cause of equal rights for adult adoptees, leaves one in danger of not moving beyond introspection. We need to move forward into the field of activism where we can use our creativity, intelligence, passion and particular skills to effect real change in society and in the process, in ourselves as well.

As a quick inspirational framework for serious Bastard Nationals I've come up with the following acronym which is meant to remind us how we can all do our piece in helping the cause of open records: Do your P.I.E.C.E..

P is for Perseverance. If we really want open records we must persevere. Don't give up and don't cave in. Other nations, states and provinces have had unconditional open records for decades (or always!) and neither have abortion rates risen nor adoption rates fallen proportionately. In fact, abortion rates fall when records are opened. There are those with special interests in the adoption industry who will lie and spread misinformation until they're blue in the face, but do not let that daunt you. We have truth, passion, brains and numbers on our side. We don't have to settle for infantilizing CI and mandated registry systems. Persevere!

I is for Imagination. Bastard Nation was born out of the imaginations of about 35 people on an Internet newsgroup. Everything we've done so far and everything we will do in the future is born of an initial idea, a dream, a fancy that is taken seriously and brought to fruition by dedicated individuals like yourself. Use your creativity to birth ideas to help the cause.

E is for Education. Know the issues, know the arguments and educate others. Be able to cite the studies which show that open records LOWER abortion rates and be able to argue open records from a civil rights perspective. Open records should not be dependent on whether reunions are successful or not. Even so, be able to cite studies which show that the overwhelming majority of birthparents welcome reunion. Know thine enemy, his arguments and modus operandi. Learn how to counter his arguments, anticipate new ones and devise surprises of your own for legislative hearings.

C is for Concentration. Stay focused on the key issue: open records is a civil right. We demand the same rights as other adult citizens. Don't let people distract you with nonsense about gratitude or claims that the 3% of birthparents who lied about giving birth to you have more rights than the entire population of adult adoptees. Open records is not about facilitating searching or reunions - it's about civil rights. Likewise, be able to distinguish between open records and other adoption issues. Don't get dragged into the adoption reform quagmire. There are endless people with endless agendas. If we dilute our cause, we dilute our impact. Stay concentrated on your goal and you will be successful.

E is for Execution. Be organized and get the job done. Get together with other adoptees and organize petitions, letter-writing campaigns, research projects, artistic projects, informational tables at malls, triad outreach, positive (or negative) pickets, RegDay, public protests, PR campaigns, letters to the editor, educational seminars, local meetings, put on plays, conferences, whatever. Develop cogent strategies for lobbying, negotiating and outreach. Take your imagination and make your ideas reality DO IT and it will get done.

Get in touch with your local Bastard Nation Regional Director and find out what you can do locally. If you are a member and there is as yet no Regional Activist in your area, we can send you a Regional Activism Packet which will help you to get the ball rolling in your neck of the woods. Don't wallow in the primordial ooze - evolve and do your P.I.E.C.E. for open records.

Damsel Plum, M.A. is 32 year old reunited adoptee, mother of two and Yale-educated linguist who resides with her family in Marin County, California.

(This article first appeared in the Spring 1997 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)