1776Reporting
A white mother is facing a storm of backlash after a viral video showed her instructing her adopted Black daughter to carry a heavy bag of rice on her head, claiming “it’s in your blood.” Kaylee Wilson, a mother of four, has since defended herself amid mounting criticism for her comments, which many found culturally insensitive.
The controversy unfolded when Wilson posted a video on social media featuring her nine-year-old daughter, Wella, who was adopted from Ghana in 2016. In the clip, Wilson encourages Wella to carry a 20-pound bag of rice on her head while they shop at a warehouse store. As the young girl struggles with the task, Wilson is heard saying, “Put it on your head, like an African,” followed by, “You have to know how to do this. This is like in your blood.”
Wella, clearly finding the bag too heavy, says “Ow!” as she tries to balance it. Despite the girl’s discomfort, the video shows Wilson attempting to perform the same task herself, making light of the weight by saying, “Oh, that’s pretty heavy! Oh gosh!” She then walks down the aisle with the rice on her head, showcasing her own struggle.
Wilson’s remarks immediately sparked outrage online, with many calling her words racially insensitive and offensive. The backlash grew as the video circulated, with users on social media accusing her of exploiting her adopted daughter for social media content. One user commented, “It’s in your blood was not a cute thing to say to her,” while another expressed concern about what happens behind closed doors, writing, “If this is what you willingly film, I wonder what happens in privacy.”
Criticism continued to pour in, with one person highlighting the broader historical context, saying, “The fact that you don’t know why your words are insensitive tells me all that I need to know.” Another follower questioned Wilson’s understanding of African culture, saying, “I am AFRICAN and live in Africa, and my parents have NEVER made me carry a heavy bag on my head.”
Despite the uproar, Wilson defended her actions in a follow-up Instagram post, stating that her family had spent two years living in various African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, where they learned about the culture. “They don’t get offended, and they LOVE when we partake in their culture,” she wrote, adding that the family is planning to move back to Lagos soon.
In her defense, Wilson explained that her family’s time in Africa was transformative and that her children, two of whom are Black, are “proud to be African.” She noted that their upcoming move to Nigeria is part of their ongoing effort to immerse themselves in the culture while preparing to adopt a third child from the continent.
But for many, Wilson’s explanation did little to quell the outrage. Critics continued to call out her behavior, accusing her of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. One commenter wrote, “Carrying a bag of rice is NOT in her blood,” emphasizing that Wilson’s words reinforced outdated and damaging ideas about African culture.
As the backlash grows, Wilson and her family are preparing for a significant transition. In another social media post, she revealed that they would be moving to Nigeria for at least six months while finalizing the adoption of their third child. “We have realized even more the past couple months that adopting children is our main calling,” she wrote, adding that their mission is to “bring them back to our homestead to heal and be loved and raised in our family.”
The controversy surrounding Wilson’s video highlights the complexities of transracial adoption and the importance of cultural sensitivity, especially in a public forum. Many have called for Wilson to reflect on the impact of her words and actions, urging her to reconsider how she portrays her adopted children and their heritage. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing education and awareness when it comes to navigating the intersection of race, culture, and family dynamics.
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