Big Brother Africa star shields Madonna
Malawi’s Big Brother Africa star Hazel Warren has told critics of Madonna’s twin adoptions in the southern African nation to back off, and branded as racist those who accuse the pop queen of turning her back on deprived white children in favour of blacks.
Hazel, the first high-profile Malawian celebrity to wad into the long-running debate on the ethics of international adoptions that has sucked in dozens of rights groups, did not pull any punches in a broadside at Madonna’s critics.
The US star this month adopted Chifundo ‘Mercy’ James, four, from Malawi – her second adoption there in as many years. In 2006, she adopted David Banda, three, and has two children of her own – Lourdes, 12, and Rocco, eight.
Hazel, 25, who has not ruled out adopting herself, rubbished the “wiser than thou” attitude of those opposed to the adoption of David and Mercy because of their skin colour, saying it smacked of full-blown racism.
”These (views) are racist . . . (should) Europeans adopt white Europeans only?” she said, in response to some public sentiments that Madonna should have adopted her own kind, from Eastern Europe or her native US.
” Yes, there are disadvantaged white children in European countries. However, these children are far more fortunate than their black counterparts in Africa who have no food, no clothes, no education and no medical care. Should it be a big deal then for someone to adopt a child and make their life better whether they are black or white?”
Madonna herself acknowledged in an interview in 2006 after adopting David that she was a victim of a racial smear campaign.
She told US TV show NBC News: “There is a lot of racism in the world . . . A lot of people have a problem with the fact that I have adopted an African child.”
She said this is did not bother her at all as “I don’t live in a white world (but) a world”.
Both her adoptions have triggered a chorus of protests globally, with some web sites and blogs swamped by comments accusing the star and other international celebrities of treating their adopted children as nothing little more than “fashion accessories” or “trophies.”
”Just an accessory. Kids are not possessions,” fumed Suzanne in a comment posted on American web site www.TMZ.com in response to Madonna’s latest adoption.
”It’s just the new Hollywood fad. Despicable,” complained G in separate remarks.
Brooke, in a message posted on www.USMagazine.com, said: “We should take care of our own before we help other countries.”
Another by Just a Thought questioned when it would become “trendy” for celebrities to adopt American children.
Others have suggested on different sites that Madonna would go to any lengths to hog the limelight and that the adoptions in Africa were part of carefully choreographed media exercise to keep herself in the spotlight.
She shot to worldwide fame in the 1980s with blockbuster dance hits such as Holiday.
Other stars who have adopted children over the years, although not necessarily of a different skin colour, include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, former couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hugh Jackman and Lionel Ritchie.
They have adopted from China, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Vietnam and the US.
But none of their goodwill gestures has raised as much dust as Madonna’s, leading her legion of fans to cry foul.
Hazel said Madonna should be commended for giving a refreshingly new meaning to the lives of Mercy and David, saying their future and that of other disadvantaged children was paramount.
Malawi’s antiquated adoption laws with a strict residency clause had helped fuel the controversy surrounding Madonna, she said. These needed reviewing to facilitate future adoptions while at the same time safeguarding the welfare of the children.
The reality television star dismissed suggestions that Madonna’s financial clout was pivotal in her adoption victories and that the authorities had no choice but to dance to her tune. The Material Girl singer has reportedly funnelled some $19 million into her Raise Malawi charity.
Hazel, who is single, would not rule out adopting herself.
She said: “I have been considering it. There are already many children who need to be taken care of. These children need love and need to grow up in a family setting.
”I think it would definitely be an amazing feeling knowing that a child has a better life because you have come into their life.”
While the onus was on Madonna to ensure that David and Mercy maintained their family ties and culture, Hazel hoped the youngsters would live to do their adoptive mother and Malawi proud.
Tagged with: Chifundo' Mercy' James, David Banda, Hazel Warren, Madonna
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