In this talk, Dr. SooJin Pate interrogates everything we’ve been told about transnational adoption, as she weaves her personal experiences of being a Korean adoptee with her archival research that led to her book. By sharing her story and research, she hopes that people will not only have more nuanced conversations about international/transnational adoption but also rethink their engagement with this industry. Dr. SooJin Pate is an educator, writer, and DEI consultant dedicated to centering the lives and experiences of historically marginalized peoples. She received her PhD in American Studies at the University of Minnesota, specializing in comparative approaches to race and ethnic studies. A proud alum of Howard University, SooJin received her MA in English, focusing on African American and Caribbean literature. She is the author of From Orphan to Adoptee: U.S. Empire and Genealogies of Korean Adoption and was named Educator of the Year and Ally of the Year by Macalester College. She’s also the co-host of the Antiracist Parenting Podcast, host of Decolonize Yourself, and a steward of Million Artist Movement. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx