Rick Smolan: A girl, a photograph, a homecoming

http://www.ted.com Photographer Rick Smolan tells the unforgettable story of a young Amerasian girl, a fateful photograph, and an adoption saga with a twist.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• Rick
• Smolan
• Natasha
• Natasha's
• Story
• TED
• talks
• TEDtalks
• Amerasian
• Asian
• Korean
• Photograph
• Homecoming
• Adoption
• Orphan

[bagapoopoo]

The uncle was angry because Rick was wanting to take her away by assuming that she was being mistreated. I bet her family treated her fine. Why else did she go back to see them? I do think that bringing Natascha to America would give her a better life because of the racism toward mixed people over there in Korea. And it was the grandmother's dying wish to send her granddaughter to America.

[vivtokki]

I'm Korean and not at all discomforted. However I don't think Natasha was "rescued" by any means. Rather she was given an opportunity to be happy in a different country with a new family. She looks happy to me and that's all it really matters!

[laviebanale]

@vivtokki

I suggest you do some research on how mixed children, especially the ones born to GI fathers and Korean mothers, are treated in S. Korea. Obviously, things are getting better but in the past, racism was so severe they couldn't go to school.

[charbuk]

Americans, always thinking they have to "rescue" the rest of the world. All I saw in this video was a very well adapted and happy child, surrounded by family, with talent for leadership who could have grown up to do great things in Korea, seduced by the idea of America, where like anywhere else in the world, the amount of racism you receive is the amount you yourself permit. I personally feel offended by America's attitude and long for the day when they learn to mind their own business.

[fatbusinessman]

Why is it assumed that she could only do "great" things if she was in the US? She is brilliant, and that brilliance and confidence she owes to her grandmother...her korean grandmother. Why would it be assumed that she wouldn't be able to do "great" things in her home vilage? Obviously, she is smart and has an influencial personality.  She couldv'e grown up to be someone who CHANGED the way koreans view amerasians.

[fatbusinessman]

That really smart girl could have really contributed to the society that she was from. But we stole her "for her own good". Removing these individuals is a short sighted response to the problems they encounter in that society. In the bigger picture, you should respect the intelligence of a society to find they're own appropriate solution to the issue.

[angieeus]

Amazing Story! \\\\ εïз \\\\

[crudhousefull]

I'm guessing having a mixed child as a charge gives the uncle a tough time with peers and colleagues too since it means that people would think that he's related to a prostitute.

[FREEKALEEK101]

where can I get this book! I looked everywhere

[futureboy00]

@beautyofdirt yes, thanks