A Second First Home: A Transracial Adoptee's Return to Korea with Traci Hobson
In this episode of Militantly Mixed, host Sharmane Fury shares a personal update about shifting the show to a bi-weekly schedule as she enters the final month of her first semester of law school and approaches the second anniversary of her partner Tristan’s death. November, what she calls “death month,” brings both emotional weight and logistical challenges, yet this conversation felt too important to delay.
Sharmane is joined by Traci Hobson, a first-generation African American & Korean transracial adoptee who grew up in the United States and recently returned to Korea to reclaim her cultural identity, language, and sense of self. They first met at a mixed-race event earlier in the year, where Sharmane immediately connected with Traci’s story and presence.
Traci shares her experiences of assimilating into the African American community, losing her Korean language and cultural ties, facing bullying, and navigating colorism and corporate spaces as a Mixed woman. She also reflects on people-pleasing tendencies and fear of rejection rooted in adoption trauma, as well as her search for her birth family and reconnection with her father’s side.
Her return to Korea in 2021 marked a turning point, sparking a reclamation journey. Traci speaks about healing, belonging to herself, and how her children encouraged her to pursue this path.
Throughout the episode, Sharmane reflects on the complexity of Mixed identity and the importance of spaces where these stories can be shared. She expresses deep admiration for Traci’s vulnerability, courage, and determination to rebuild what was lost.
This episode centers on reclaiming identity, heritage, family, and self-worth. Traci’s journey shows that mixed identity can be painful, but also deeply powerful and beautiful when fully embraced.
This week on Militantly Mixed, I am joined by Traci Hobson, a biracial Black and Korean transracial adoptee whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Mixed Asian Day earlier this year. Traci was adopted from Korea and raised in the United States by American parents, navigating not just what it means to be Mixed, but also what it means to be disconnected from her birthplace, language, and culture, in this episode. We talk about identity, belonging, and survival, and how being both Mixed and a transracial adoptee shaped her sense of self, and how motherhood influenced the ways she approaches combating generational trauma. One of the most powerful aspects of our conversation is her recent return to Korea, where she began reclaiming pieces of her life and identity that were lost at the time of her adoption. Traci is such a lovely person and an incredibly thoughtful guest; I am so happy to share her story with you all.
A quick programming note: Militantly Mixed is currently on an every-other-week schedule, but I may not be back until December 9th. The week before is both finals and the anniversary of Tristan’s death, and I don’t expect to be in the best headspace. I appreciate your patience and care while I take the time I need. Thank you for sticking with me, and I’ll do my best to return on December 9th.
Support My Knit November Challenge
This month, I’m participating in Knit November to support the American Cancer Society. I’m knitting every day, making chemo caps for people experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment, and raising funds in honor of our community folk we’ve lost to cancer and the loved ones still fighting.
If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing the fundraiser link:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/1485480965898623/
Every stitch, every share, every dollar counts. Thank you for supporting this meaningful work.
Support Militantly Mixed:
- Visit the Website - https://militantlymixed.com
- Listen to episodes, leave a review, or record a voicemail for the show.
- Support on Patreon - https://patreon.com/sharmanefury
– Shop Militantly Mixed Merch – Logo T-shirts, “Mixed & Hella Queer” tees, and more.
Instagram: @militantlymixed
Bluesky: @militantlymixed
Facebook: Militantly Mixed Podcast