The Voice of Armando Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or color of your skin? Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten? Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? Have you ever traveled back to the homeland(s) of your ancestors? Do you or did you ever wish that you were another race other than your own? Urban Mozaik Magazine asks these questions of our readers and this is what Armando had to say... Name: Armando Age: 36 Occupation: Bomb Squad (Military) Birthplace: Granada Hills, California Residence: Oahu, Hawaii Mothers Birthplace: Silver City, New Mexico Maternal Grandmothers Birthplace: Santa Clara, New Mexico Maternal Grandfathers Birthplace: Reservation (Somewhere in N.M.) Fathers Birthplace: Philippines Paternal Grandmothers Birthplace: Guam Paternal Grandfathers Birthplace: Philippines Do you feel that new immigrants to North America should assimilate into the mainstream? YES. The assimilation should be to integrate the good, the beautiful and best of wherever they came from to our country. Language is trivial. For those Americans that are Pro "Learn English in my country!" Then go de-ebonic our big cities and standardized the english accent all across America! I didn't know there were 100 different types of English that I couldn't understand until I joined the military. Yall need to learn me some english so I can come down yonder and crack a beer while ya change yur ole. Ya hear? Okay. US born White-America will fight for mandatory english for immigrants but not our own uneducated populations? Interesting. Would your parents object to you dating or marrying a person who was of a different race than you? To answer the question specifically, (different race?), No. I am a mixed product of my parents, however, there are races that I know would not have been accepted as easily if I attempted to do so. Why? I'd guess it came from childhood experiences in the 60's during the riots. What do you think of affirmative action and racial quotas in the workplace? Unfortunately, I don't have an opinion because fortunately I've never had to worry about it. What do you think of signs on businesses that don't have any English on them? I don't. It doesn't bother me. If I'm that interested, I'll find out about it. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your race or the color of your skin? Tell us about it. If I was, I didn't know. I'm pretty confident of my looks/skin color/races. Has anything, relating to race, happened lately that really bothered you? Nope. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? Where were you when you ate it? Unusual to me.... sigh... Balut! I know, I know, I'm Filipino but, DAM! It takes a lot of San Miguel Beer to get the nerves for it. What is your favorite ethnic food? Ethnic?! I don't consider Mexican/Japanese/Chinese/Filipino/Korean/Italian (I can go on), kinds of food ethnic. Growing up in Los Angeles, all these foods and more are available in any direction and any day of the year. Diversity is an everyday occurrence. I considered "Cracker Barrel" ethnic when I first had it. I was told it was white boy food! Later I was told it's a joke, but it may be true. Hmmm. Where do you live and where have you traveled where the culture was the most different from your own? Currently in Hawaii. Loving it! Multi-racial blend of all my favorite peoples/foods/culture. Most different = Afghanistan! Wooh, that place was... a.. TRIP! Have you ever traveled back to the homeland(s) of your ancestors? Why not, if you haven't? My ancestors. Wow! This question makes it sound like it's asking if I went on an archaeological search for one of my lost tribes. Yes. I've been back to the Philippines (Many times), I've been to Guam and I have been back to the reservation my grandfather came from. What percentage of your friends are able to speak a language other than English? 99% I'm not using the word "Friends" loosely. Do you or did you ever wish that you were of another race? If so, why? No. Do you feel uncomfortable if you are a minority in a room full of people who are all of one race? Am I uncomfortable watching a movie? Heck no! I'm easily entertained as a people watcher, because some of them THINK they are watching me, but it's me watching them care that I'm in the room. Are you physically attracted to people of a different race? If so, why do you think you are? Oh yes. In fact, it isn't even a single race I'm attracted to. I love mixed, multiracial women with lots of history, culture and/or backround. So much more fun than the solo - "I am X, I eat X food from X country and listen to X music only!" Kudos on the pride thing! It's not for me. I want her to talk about herself in a long drawn out tale of where her and her family are from. How did you feel about responding to this questionnaire? Loved it. Thanks! If you're interested in submitting your answers to us for consideration in our next issue, please click here. This website: Copyright © 2009 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.