Madonna Disgusted by "Racist" Reaction to Adoption  11/1/06

Pop superstar Madonna believes racism is the main reason for the controversy surrounding her recent adoption of a 13-month-old Malawian boy.

The singer claims reaction to bringing African David Banda into her family would have been more positive if he had white skin.

In an interview airing tonight (01NOV06) she tells US TV show NBC News, "I think it's still considered taboo. I have people say to me when I'm walking down the street, 'Why did you adopt a black child?' I don't dignify their question with a reply.

"But there is a lot of racism in the world. I think that's underneath a lot of people's prejudice about me adopting David. A lot of people have a problem with the fact that I've adopted an African child, a child who has a different color skin than I do.

"I don't worry about it. I don't live in a white world; I live in the world.

And my children are exposed to all cultures and all races and many belief systems."