Filipino Canadian parents say they face racism for adopting a Caucasian daughter
Couple says someone called the police on them suspecting they kidnapped their daughter
Juan and Edna Borja's family was complete the moment the London, Ont., couple adopted their infant daughter Elisha in 2018.
Despite the past five years being filled with love and joy, the Borjas, who are Filipino Canadians, say they constantly receive negative remarks from people who often mistaken them as Elisha's nannies because she's Caucasian.
"We knew we'd get that feedback from people who ask 'Are you the nanny or caregiver?' because the colour of our skin is different, but some comments are very hurtful," Juan told CBC News.
The couple's most recent ordeal was in March at a local Shoppers Drug Mart, when they say a group of women called the police because they suspected the Borjas may have kidnapped Elisha.
Two police officers showed up to the Borjas' doorstep later that night, they said.
It's okay to be vigilant and watchful for children's safety, but how can you judge from a few seconds that we kidnapped our daughter?- Juan Borja, London, Ont.
"The police came and banged on our doors so hard and loud, they almost treated us like criminals but as soon as we opened the door, they apologized right away and told us this was a mistake," Edna said.
Elisha was calling the couple "mommy and daddy" in the store and being playful, Juan said. The police visit left six-year-old Elisha spooked.
The Borjas are sharing their story because they want people to be mindful before making judgments or insulting comments, they said.
"It's okay to be vigilant and watchful for children's safety, but how can you judge from a few seconds that we kidnapped our daughter?" Juan said. "Try to observe the signs like her being sad, scared, or something before you make an assumption."
"Racism in any form is unacceptable," said Carrie Thomas, service director at Children's Aid Society (CAS) of London and Middlesex.
"It certainly has a very large impact on the family in terms of the adults experiencing racism, and also on the child in terms of whether they're witnessing, whether its a remark or an action that occurs."
WATCH | The Borjas share their experience at a Shoppers Drug Mart
We have to prove she's our daughter, says couple
Juan and Edna say they try to be very transparent with Elisha about these incidents because they don't want her to feel any sense of confusion or isolation.
The couple says they've been asked to verify their identities at their daughter's school when picking her up as well, Juan said.
Even when they go to shops and tourist attractions in other countries, they bring Elisha's adoption papers and her birth certificate "just in case," Edna said.
"We can't just tell anyone that she's our adopted child, we have to prove it and bring all the documents with us at all times," she said.
During the assessment and training process before an adoption, CAS is very upfront with families about their prior fears and challenges with fostering to ensure they can provide families with appropriate help from their case workers and post-adoption support, said Thomas.
"We want to promote cultural understanding and have to be willing to have conversations because nothing will change until we start talking and becoming socially connected to each other," she said.
The family is preparing to move to Fredericton, N.B. next month to start a new business, and Juan says he's already reached out to community groups to let people know about his family dynamic, in hopes that these incidents won't repeat, he said.
"We try to understand where people are coming from but we also want them to be open minded because we want to raise our daughter in a way where there's lots of diversity," Edna said.
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