Cross-cultural adoption?

Hello!

In light of the recent disaster in Haiti, the issue of cross-cultural adoption has come to the forefront of my thoughts again. It is something that I have often considered, but which I also have hesitations about. I think the idea of adoption is marvelous, although not necessarily easy. However, when the adoption in question involves parents of one race or culture adopting a child of another race or culture, that's when things get blurred for me. Is it better to allow children to have an opportunity for a good life (taking them out of an orphanage), even if they are taken out of their mother culture? Away from their mother tongue? Especially in the case of white couples adopting non-white children, is the isolation and identity crisis those children may face outweighed by the opportunity at a better life...?

If you or someone close to you has adopted a child of another race/culture, or if you were adopted yourself, I would love to know your thoughts.

Thank you.