GI Babies: Why Were They Given Away?
ALL ABOUT THE BROWN BABIES OF BRITAIN
There are many underestimated and neglected topics related to the aftermath of World War II including the tortures, concentration camps outside of Europe and so on. Another controversial issue has currently been unraveled and it is related to the mixed-race people who were born in Britain during the war.
Some of these babies grew up with no settled home environment, no proper education, and no inclusive and constructive behavior. Most of their lives were spent for a desperate search of identity and a sense of belonging.
We all bleed in same colour
Others were lucky to have found relatives who looked beyond the colour of their skin and treated as dignity, rather than their race or the fact that they were half black and half white . There were shown love, support and well educated.
Why They Were Called GI Babies
These babies were called the GI babies simply because they were born to white British women and black American GIs during the war. Even though the African-American soldiers were minority in the US Army that flew to Britain, they were mainly appointed as part of a separate GI army that was scattered among American bases.
There would be traditional dance nights, so it was believed that the black GIs and local white women started to develop relationships during these events. Local women were drawn to the black soldiers for their unique looks and humble personalities (less arrogant than the white officers or any white male for that matter).
Obviously, some of these relationships resulted in accidental babies that were deemed illegal since the US army officers initially forbade black GIs to marry and start families.
As reported by our fathers and grand parents, those who asked for permission from their officers to marry their pregnant girlfriends were threatened by charges with rape that had a death penalty.
Approximately 2000 “brown babies” were born during the era.
Several of the babies of that era who are now in their seventies.
TABOO
The babies were taken away from the father who would never see them again. In the meantime, they spent their childhood years in white-dominated neighbourhoods where they faced a severe racism during their teenage years.
This would be much worse if they were allocated to smaller towns. Most of them recall inappropriate name calling with the “n” word, not looking in the face, changing direction or even direct insult and worse more.
In many cases, the child was separated from the father while the mother gave them up through social stigma and peer pressure. Even if the mother wanted to keep the child or even move to the US to be with the father, her family would most likely prevent this attempt.
Upbringing And The Quest For True Identity
That’s why; the majority of these kids had to grow up in children’s homes waiting for adoption. Only an estimated amount of 20% or so was adopted either by their grandparents or foster parents. Only 1 or so managed to be adopted by his true father.
The rest of the kids spend many years and took several DNA tests in order to find their relatives that are still alive. There are many stories involving a long-lasting quest to find the true parents only to find their gravestones at the end.
Very heart breaking! We home through DNA they can trace some of their relatives.
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Source: Ghana Education/History/Research/FVV/First hand Info
