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: Beth Lord Age: 50 Occupation: Career counselor/administrator Birthplace: New Jersey Residence: Broward County, Florida Mother’s birthplace: Brooklyn, New York Maternal grandfather: Russia or Poland Maternal grandmother: Russia or Poland Father’s birthplace: Brooklyn, New York Paternal grandfather: Eastern Europe Paternal grandmother: Eastern Europe Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? I think that each person who immigrates to this country will eventually decide how assimilated they need to become to be comfortable. It depends on the age at immigration, whether they have facility for the language,whether they will work here, and/or raise children. I do not think they have to fully assimilate, and I think there should be room for those who don't want to, but realistically, most people have to assimilate somewhat. Because eventually their children or grandchildren will be more assimilated. The more willing the parent or grandparent is to understand and accept the culture of this country, the more likely they will be to maintain family unity in the face of the pressures of the mainstream culture. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? I married an immigrant Cuban man (who was not Jewish) and I am a 4th generation Jewish American. My mother was more concerned with his ability to survive and thrive in this culture as an immigrant without the language, than the fact that he was of a different ethnic background. The social and economic concerns were paramount. Has anything, relating to race, happened lately that really bothered you? I have worked in staff recruiting and was often asked to exclude people of other races in referrals. Our business practice was to explain our inclusiveness policies, and say that we would refer the best candidate, but it was hard to work with a company when you knew they wanted a White person, and we had several Black or ethnically diverse candidates equally qualified. It always made me angry to hear what employers would say to us. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? I've eaten the lining of pig stomach in a stew, and beef hearts (anticuchos) in Peru. What is your favorite "ethnic" food? Haven't found an ethnic food I don't like, except some unbearably spicy hot Thai food. Love Vietnamese spring rolls with mint and fish sauce, and just tasted Trinidadian "doubles" at a holiday party at work. Terrific! Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I lived in NYC for 20 years, and now live in suburban Broward County, Florida. The culture here is very different! And very difficult for me at times. I've lived in most of Central America and travelled in many South American countries. The most different was when I lived for 5 months in rural Guatemala 20 years ago. I lived in a little hut without running water or electricity. Ate rice and beans and tortillas in the market every day. While I spoke fluent Spanish, most of the people spoke their own Indian languages, and minimal Spanish so it was hard to communicate with many of the local people. Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? After 4 generations, American culture is pretty much it for me. I am very in touch with my Jewish culture, but mainly regarding celebrations and food. I believe there is a Jewish way of looking at the world, a yiddishe kop, but you can't separate Jewish values from American values, from left leaning political values in me. It's all in there. Have you ever traveled back to the homeland(s) of your ancestors? Why not, if you haven't? Nowhere, really, to go. Unless I think of Israel. But I'd be going as a Jewish American tourist, not as a person returning to a country of origin. In brief, describe your idea of a perfect world. Perfect, Ha! But close would be: No fighting, people talking about differences, everyone recognizing our uniqueness as people, celebrating our differences, and looking at our commonalities as strengths on which to build. Multi-lingual people willing to speak with each other, learn about our unique cultures, and willing to try to resolve misunderstandings. Do I expect to see this? Not in my lifetime. But it's definitely worth striving for. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? I am attracted to many people of many races. I really look for what's inside and that is attractive to me. Something I look out for, more important than anything, is the world view of the person. I am not attracted to someone closed minded, nor very conservative on social, religious or political spectrum. That;s a real turn-off. The voice of: Jennifer Jantsch Age: 51 Occupation: Psychotherapist Birthplace: Washington, NC Residence: Charlotte, NC Mother’s birthplace: Belhaven, NC Maternal grandfather: Belhaven, NC Maternal grandmother: Belhaven, NC Father’s birthplace: Washington, NC Paternal grandfather: Bath, NC Paternal grandmother: Bath, NC Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? Yes, if they so desire. This is America. They have probably come here to start a new life and take advantages of our freedoms and opportunities. They should have all the choices we have. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? Yes. My parents were raised in a time when blacks and whites did not mingle. However, they were very close to the blacks the associated with--my father's best friend as a child was black; black people worked in our home and on our farm, and were well thought of and respected as people. What do you think of affirmative action and racial quotas in the workplace? I believe diversity in the workplace is good. But I also think that people need to compete on the basis of competency. If persons in positions of hiring are prejudiced, this could limit a person's ability to compete. So, I'm not sure about what I think about racial quotas.... What do you think of signs on businesses that don't have any English on them? I think that is silly, because English is the primary language and businesses would not be smart to limit their advertising only to people of their own language, but would do better adding English with their language to make it clear that English-speaking people are welcome. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it? I am Caucasian. I had an African-American supervisor who hated me and wrongly assumed things about me...She referred to me as "Betty Crocker." I hated it. Has anything, relating to race, happened lately that really bothered you? My daughter is married to a Pakistani gentleman. My children are mixed race. I think they are the most beautiful children in the world. The events of 9-11 have caused people to look at their family differently. At McDonald's a white man broke in line in front of my son-in-law and called him "brown boy." What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? I celebrated Eid with my daughter's inlaws. I think we ate goat! The food was all delicious, but I could not identify many of the dishes. What is your favorite "ethnic" food? Vietnamese, Italian Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I lived in Pittsburgh, PA, for over 20 years, and I found that many of the ethnic groups there were extremely prejudiced against African-Americans. I was surprised, since I am a southerner and thought that northerners were more culturally aware. Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? Yes. My ancestors immigrated from Scotland. We eat the same types of food and my family has maintained many of the attitudes. What percentage of your friends are able to speak a language other than English? My son-in-law speaks 4 languages, my brother-in-law speaks Spanish; my good friend speaks French fluently. The voice of: Dawn T. Age: 35 Occupation: Crisis Counselor Birthplace: Lakewood, California Residence: Unionville, Indiana Mother’s birthplace: Bunker Hill, Indiana Maternal grandfather: Miami, Indiana Maternal grandmother: Bennett's Switch, Indiana Father’s birthplace: unknown Paternal grandfather: unknown Paternal grandmother: unknown Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? In some ways, so they will be able to function. For example, it would be helpful to learn the English language, so they will be able to find employment more easily. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? Yes, because of prejudice. However, if I liked the person, I would date or marry them, anyway. What do you think of signs on businesses that don't have any English on them? I think the signs need to me multi-language. Include English (if the business is in the USA), but add the language of others - i.e. Spanish, French, Chinese, etc. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it? Yes. I was working as a nurse at a nursing home for HIV/AIDS patients. Most of our patients were young and many were from all over the state of Indiana. I was told by an African American man in his early 30's that he did not want me to care for him. He wanted a black nurse. He was from Gary, Indiana, in a predominantely black area. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? And where were you when you ate it? Frog legs - as a child, at a resturant in Peru, Indiana. I will try anything once! Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I live in Bloomington, Indiana right now. I have never been outside of the United States. I was in Hawaii once, and while it is still a "state" many of the cultural practices and ethnic groups are more diverse than the mainland, at least in Indiana! Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? Don't know what my "culture of origin" really is - other than "white." Often wonder what it is! What percentage of your friends are able to speak another language other than English? Perhaps one percent. Do you or did you ever wish that you were of another race? If so, why? Yes - to have some "color" to my live - I am so "mainstream white American" and it feels like I don't really have much of a "culture" to speak of. The voice of: Mary Age: 52 Occupation: School Counselor Birthplace: Colombia, South America Residence: Joplin, Missouri Mother’s birthplace: Colombia, South America Maternal grandfather: Colombia, South America Maternal grandmother: Colombia, South America Father’s birthplace: Colombia, South America Paternal grandfather: Colombia, South America Paternal grandmother: Colombia, South America Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? Certainly. Consequences of lack of acculturation and assimilation would be alienation or dysfunctional socialization. However, I believe immigrants shoul retain their alegiance to their motherland while building their alegiance to the new land where they plan to live and prosper. Double alegiance, within reason and law, is appropriate in these cases. Would your parents object to your dating or marrying a person who was a different race than you? Probably. My parents would argue that, keeping the proportion of the comparison, a "pure breed" animal is more valuable. I personally do not agree with that view. What do you think of signs on businesses that don't have any English on them? Business signs in foreign languages do not contribute to build unity within a nation. What do you think of affirmative action and racial quotas in the workplace? They are necessary for equity's sake. In most occassions they are the only vehicle to empower the invisible and the disenfeanchised. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it? Many times. I do look caucasian, but I have a thick Spanish accent. I become "invisible" and "unaudible" as soon as mainstream individuals hear my accent. For instance, a woman in a college class had the nerve to claim in public that she refused to begin to work with me in her team because she was sure that I could not process knowledge due to my language and background; needless to say, her team mates joined her allegations. There have been many other instances. I believe that being a "language minority" or a "socioeconomic minority" has more serious implications than being a racial minority. I have suffered discrimination not only on my own, but also witnessing the prejudice, exploitation, and bigotry against other individuals. Has anything, relating to race, happened lately that really bothered you? All these international incidents of "ethnic cleansing" Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? I live in the Midwest of the U.S. I have traveled through Europe and South America but for such a short time that I was not able to fully appreciate a radical difference in culture. Do you feel that you are in touch with your culture of origin? Yes, through family and church. Do you feel uncomfortable if you are a minority in a room full of people who are all of one race? I no longer do, because I always find at least one interesting person to interact with. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? Yes, to people who look like me, as long as they have similar values, standards, and lifestyle, because based on these type of physical features I have build my early relationships and model of interactions. 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. This website: Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002 Dream World Media, LLC./ Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or the previous publisher of republished articles. Do you or did you ever wish that you were of another race? If so, why? Not really...there are many advantages to being white...I'm sure you are aware of this...
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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