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Speak Your Mind About Issues Concerning Life In A Modern Multicultural Society. Submit your "voice" to us by filling out the questionnaire and we'll consider your answers for publication in Urban Mozaik Magazine. Here's what some of our readers have to say... The voice of: Sonya Age: 22 Occupation: Student Birthplace: Connecticut Residence: Connecticut Mother’s birthplace: Connecticut Maternal grandfather: Canada Maternal grandmother: Canada Father’s birthplace: Connecticut Paternal grandfather: Russia Paternal grandmother: Unknown Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? I think that it is a wonderful thing for immigrants to make an effort to know the culture and customs of the land they're living in. When immigrants assimilate by learning the language of the country and learning about our beleifs, they can more easily understand where we're coming from and at the same time, they can educate us on the ways of they're country. I feel that it is important to guard the traditions and the culture of one's homeland. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? I think that they would be pretty accepting of this. However, my grandmother would not fully approve. She would reluctantly tolerate it because I know that she doesn't want to alienate herself form her grandchildren. What do you think of affirmative action and racial quotas in the workplace? I think affirmative action does provide a lot of job opportunities that some people might not otherwise have. However, I strongly feel that affirmative action and racial quotas only emphasize our differences and create tension. It highlights and builds borders between people. What do you think of signs on businesses that don't have any English on them? When I see a sign that's not written in English I feel that the message is not for me and that I may be un welcome in this particular business or establishment. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it? No. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? The most unusual thing I have ever eaten was "sweet bread" or cow glands. I was in a French restaurant when I ate it. I was only told what it was when I had finished. It was delicious! What is your favorite "ethnic" food? I love all French food; quiche, fromage blanc, beef burgandy etc. I love it! Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I live in the United States in New England. I have traveled to Tunisia and I found it to be a whole new world for me. The religion, the language, the letters, the customs and traditons as well as the climate. I found it all to be very fascinating and exhilirating. Totally, completely different from anything in the US. Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? Yes I do, for the most part. I am mainly French Canadian and I think that out of everyone in my family, I am the most concerned with guarding our traditions. I am studying to become a French teacher and I have studied in Quebec and Paris. Have you ever traveled back to the homeland(s) of your ancestors? Why not, if you haven't? Yes. I went to visit Quebec with my grandmother and everything around me reminded me of her. It was a wonderful experience. In brief, describe your idea of a perfect world. In a perfect world, there would exist no hatred, anger or war. There would be peace, love and understanding among all people and all nations. There would be no one who is extremely rich or desperately poor. People would not die of starvation. The people would stop using words like "black", "white", "Asian","Middle Eastern" etc. to describe a person. Instead one would see through the color of one's skin and describe that person by their beauty that can only be perceived through love and understanding. Do you feel uncomfortable if you are a minority in a room full of people who are all of one race? At first I did, but exposure to different cultures and people have freed me from this. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? Yes! I love the way this guy looks at me. He has a beautiful smile and an awesome way of looking at life. We've talked about everything in the world and we share the same ideas about so many things. It's like we know what each other is thinking before we even say a word. Being with him is like magic! He's everything I've ever looked for in a guy.
Age: 31 Occupation: Graduate Student Birthplace: U.S. Residence: U.S. (North Carolina) Mother’s birthplace: U.S. (North Carolina) Maternal grandfather: U.S. (Tennesee) Maternal grandmother: U.S. (Tennesee) Father’s birthplace: U.S. (Alabama) Paternal grandfather: U.S. Paternal grandmother: U.S. Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? Not culturally unless they want to...but what does that mean? North America is a hodge-podge of everything and every culture that has come before it, but as far as language goes, yes! Multi-lingual education should be promoted with complementary language courses in Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, etc. But the first language must be English (American). Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? No, however they would not 'dream' of it for me. They accept friends and lovers at face value. But they were warm to my boyfriend when they met and he is from a different race, country, religion, and socio-economic background. What do you think of signs on businesses that don't have any English on them? Not much, unless they are in French, German or Dutch, I probably cannot read them well enough to form an opinion about them. All signs in American should have English translations (even in small print). Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it? Yes, but not personally. Mostly in high school: Halloween costumes as 'niggers', yearbook statements from students that NAACP was their pet peeve, and so on. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? Sea sponge!! I was at Harry and Sons sushi bar in Atlanta Georgia. The other thing is leberkaes at my boyfriend's parents house in Germany. What is your favorite "ethnic" food? Thai and/or Ethiopian Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I live in the Netherlands. Although Europe is western and in that way very similar to US, I have to say Italy (produce shopping) was the most different. Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? No, only superficially through books, education, and media. I have never been to Africa or a Cherokee community. Have you ever traveled back to the homeland(s) of your ancestors? Why not, if you haven't? No, too expensive and too far, and too afraid to go alone. Plus, it is too big, and I have NO IDEA from what country my ancestors are from, but history tell us the Ivory Coast or thereabouts. Do you or did you ever wish that you were of another race? If so, why? Yes, convenience. Do you feel uncomfortable if you are a minority in a room full of people who are all of one race? No, but I do notice it. I tend to enjoy meeting new people and making conversation. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? No. I like people on an individual basis. I do not have a physical type, although I do have a mental type preference. The voice of: Carol Age: 57 Occupation: ESL Teacher Birthplace: Los Angele Residence: Arizona Mother’s birthplace: El Paso, Texas Maternal grandfather: Unknown Maternal grandmother: Unknown Father’s birthplace: Chihuahua, Mexico Paternal grandfather: Unknown Paternal grandmother: Unknown Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? Yes. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? They did not. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? Chinese hundred-year-old egg. In Thailand, at a reception for given by neighbor opening his medical office. What is your favorite "ethnic" food? In order: Mexican, Italian, Greek, Chinese, German, Texas barbecue, Cajun, etc., etc., etc. (I've traveled a lot.) Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I live in Arizona. But my culture shock resulted from my family's move to Texas, where my son was sent to the principal's office for not saying "Sir," and my colleagues were continually misunderstanding my intentions. Creepy. In brief, describe your idea of a perfect world. Mental telepathy. Do you feel uncomfortable if you are a minority in a room full of people who are all of one race? I'm almost always a minority. I'm an intelligent Mexican-American woman in a male-driven society that worships dumb blondes. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? Cute buns are cute buns, in any color. The voice of: Janet Age: 27 Occupation: Editor Birthplace: Summit, N.J. Residence: San Francisco, CA Mother’s birthplace: Furth, Germany Maternal grandfather: Germany Maternal grandmother: Germany Father’s birthplace: Mississippi Paternal grandfather: Kentucky Paternal grandmother: Mississippi, Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? If you mean that immigrants should be absorbed into the prevailing culture, then no, I don't think so. I think it's important for immigrants to sustain a sense of community and their indigenous customs while becoming an integral part of their new country's community, but that doesn't mean their own culture has to be diluted. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? No, I don't think they would object, but I do think they'd feel uncomfortable with it. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it? No, I don't believe so. Has anything, relating to race, happened lately that really bothered you? Since September 11th, I'm shocked by the xenophobic and racist things I hear, especially from those who consider themselves "liberal." It's depressing how people take a tragedy like this as an excuse to express racist views they might otherwise take more care to hide. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? Raw quail eggs. I was in Tokyo, Japan. What is your favorite "ethnic" food? Japanese. Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I currently live in San Francisco. Japan was the most different. I've been to Pakistan too, but I was so young that I don't remember, so I can't really count that. Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? I suppose I would consider that German. I've been to Germany many times, but I don't speak German, so no, not really. In brief, describe your idea of a perfect world. One where everyone gets along despite differences in race, religion and culture. A world where people agree to disagree and to respect each others' views despite how different they might be. Where people engage in respectful discussion and debate rather than accusatory screaming matches. Where everyone treats each other with respect and takes care to make sure everyone in the world has the basics – food, shelter, education. Do you or did you ever wish that you were of another race? If so, why? No. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? Yes. Why? What a bizarre question. Probably because I try to look at people as just people as opposed to their race. Send us your answers! Submit your "voice" to us by filling out the questionnaire and we'll consider your answers for publication in Urban Mozaik Magazine.
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 Illustration by Myron Macklin Many who know Myron Macklin know him as an artist’s artist. He had a natural progression from Saturday morning cartoons to comic books to the insightful world a illustration. He left his home town of Rocky Mount, N.C. to study graphic design and illustration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He says his most valuable lesson that he took home from college was ‘learning how to learn’. Myron is working on a book which he terms as an amalgam of interests he hopes to get published one day. More of his work can be found at www.dragonklan.com/macklin. |
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