Tapestry™
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Swimming in America is for whites only?
The third most feared death is drowning. Yet a recent survey by USA Swimming found that America’s minorities are at a greater risk of drowning than members of the white majority.
Investigating the potential of being at-risk for drowning, the survey found 31 percent of white children are at-risk. Comparatively, 56 percent of Hispanic and 58 percent of African-American children are at risk. ¶ 7/30/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
The third most feared death is drowning. Yet a recent survey by USA Swimming found that America’s minorities are at a greater risk of drowning than members of the white majority.Investigating the potential of being at-risk for drowning, the survey found 31 percent of white children are at-risk. Comparatively, 56 percent of Hispanic and 58 percent of African-American children are at risk. ¶ 7/30/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The "N" Word
Much controversy has been generated this past week throughout North America concerning what has commonly been referred to as “The ‘N’ Word”. A debate ensued with the cast of ABC’s “The View” (see the video below) following a leaked tape of Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson using the word. Jackson had called for the word to be banned after an incident at the Comedy Factory in Los Angeles where comic Michael Richards had used the word (click here to see the Associated Press article).
As you can see from the debate emotions on this issue are high. People obviously have strong feelings that seem to be well thought out. Yet one must ask if this is a healthy debate.
It is probable nobody has the life experiences to fully understand both sides of the issue. However history tells us that allowing different rules for whites and blacks is divisive. How are arguments justifying use of the word by blacks while banning it from the vocabulary of whites any different from the argument that whites and blacks be assigned seats in different areas of a bus?
Granted, the word is extremely hurtful to people – we do not want to distract from that aspect of the issue. But isn’t defending its use by one class of people only continuing that hurt? Does it not cause us to dwell on the negative? Does it not keep the word in the common vocabulary for future generations?
We have seen what separate rules have gotten us in the past. Separate water fountains, separate schools, separate rest rooms, separate employment and housing opportunities, and more “separates”. Could creating separate vocabularies lead to more “separates”?
This posting is designed to spur dialog. How about joining us with you thoughts?
As you can see from the debate emotions on this issue are high. People obviously have strong feelings that seem to be well thought out. Yet one must ask if this is a healthy debate.
It is probable nobody has the life experiences to fully understand both sides of the issue. However history tells us that allowing different rules for whites and blacks is divisive. How are arguments justifying use of the word by blacks while banning it from the vocabulary of whites any different from the argument that whites and blacks be assigned seats in different areas of a bus?
Granted, the word is extremely hurtful to people – we do not want to distract from that aspect of the issue. But isn’t defending its use by one class of people only continuing that hurt? Does it not cause us to dwell on the negative? Does it not keep the word in the common vocabulary for future generations?
We have seen what separate rules have gotten us in the past. Separate water fountains, separate schools, separate rest rooms, separate employment and housing opportunities, and more “separates”. Could creating separate vocabularies lead to more “separates”?
This posting is designed to spur dialog. How about joining us with you thoughts?
Labels: Culture_Clash, News, Race, Video
¶ 7/20/2008 5 Comments Links to this post
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The advantages of being bi-racial
Popular American singer Cher brought the issue of having blended heritage to the forefront with her hit song “Half Breed” decades ago. With a growing number of individuals with blended heritage, the topic is now resurfacing. Here is a humorous look at the advantages one can experience in a black and white world.
¶ 7/19/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
¶ 7/19/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
White Chocolate - a story of blended heritage
People love to categorize others based on race. But what if you are a blend of more than one race? Which race should you be categorized as?
This is the basis for a fictional work based on the life’s lessons of Elizabeth Atkins, the daughter of an interracial couple.
She uses the setting of a mixed heritage television reporter going undercover to expose a violent white supremacist group. The storyline allows Atkins to share her own experiences as she draws the reader into an exciting and captivating drama.
It is an extremely fascinating story that will help the reader understand people of blended heritage as they are given insight into their own racial feelings.
Click here to learn more or to order this book. ¶ 7/15/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
People love to categorize others based on race. But what if you are a blend of more than one race? Which race should you be categorized as?This is the basis for a fictional work based on the life’s lessons of Elizabeth Atkins, the daughter of an interracial couple.
She uses the setting of a mixed heritage television reporter going undercover to expose a violent white supremacist group. The storyline allows Atkins to share her own experiences as she draws the reader into an exciting and captivating drama.
It is an extremely fascinating story that will help the reader understand people of blended heritage as they are given insight into their own racial feelings.
Click here to learn more or to order this book. ¶ 7/15/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Needed: Chinese police officers
Frustration engulfs Toronto Police Inspector Peter Yuen over his inability to recruit Asian police officers. Yuen’s chief problem is a cultural barrier in a migrant world.
Several national cultures, including China, do not view police as a positive occupation. Even if a migrating family does not bring that belief with them, the larger family in the homeland will take some time to warm up to having police officers in their family. People coming to lands of opportunity, such as England, Canada, and the United States, have difficulty telling these family members they have joined the ranks of law enforcement. Think about it – they came to the land of opportunity only to have to resort to taking a job a police officer.
Toronto Police Services is trying new ideas, including a recruitment drive tied into the May observance of Asia Pacific Heritage Month. ¶ 6/08/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Frustration engulfs Toronto Police Inspector Peter Yuen over his inability to recruit Asian police officers. Yuen’s chief problem is a cultural barrier in a migrant world.Several national cultures, including China, do not view police as a positive occupation. Even if a migrating family does not bring that belief with them, the larger family in the homeland will take some time to warm up to having police officers in their family. People coming to lands of opportunity, such as England, Canada, and the United States, have difficulty telling these family members they have joined the ranks of law enforcement. Think about it – they came to the land of opportunity only to have to resort to taking a job a police officer.
Toronto Police Services is trying new ideas, including a recruitment drive tied into the May observance of Asia Pacific Heritage Month. ¶ 6/08/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Native American DNA links to 6 mothers
DNA research has confirmed six maternal lineages among Native Americans. The findings are the result of a study conducted by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation of Salt Lake City and the University of Pavia in Italy.
Native American refers to people originally from Beringia, a now submerged land mass connecting the Americas to Asia. Native Americans are the original inhabitants of North, Central, and South America. They are not, as many believe, Asians that used the land bridge to travel to the Americas from the Far East as no DNA linkage to Asia.
DNA research has confirmed six maternal lineages among Native Americans. The findings are the result of a study conducted by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation of Salt Lake City and the University of Pavia in Italy.Native American refers to people originally from Beringia, a now submerged land mass connecting the Americas to Asia. Native Americans are the original inhabitants of North, Central, and South America. They are not, as many believe, Asians that used the land bridge to travel to the Americas from the Far East as no DNA linkage to Asia.
Read the AP story here.
¶ 3/26/2008 0 Comments
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Friday, February 1, 2008
Black History month
Today begins Black History month, a worldwide observance of the contributions and culture of Africans, African-Americans, and African-Caribbeans.
As people attend the events and celebrations each will feel different impact. Few, though, will understand a subliminal lesson most visible in the black community.
During the 17th, 18th, 19th, and even early 20th centuries this culture was largely driven into slavery. Their “owners” attempted to remove the African or Caribbean culture from their lifestyles. After slavery was abolished worldwide in the 19th and 20th centuries, local populations attempted to get blacks to conform to the local culture. Terminology such as “melting pot” conveyed the message that we must all act the same regardless of ethnicity. “When in Rome do as the Romans do” is also used in an attempt to erase ethnic culture.
Through this tremendous pressure and attempted social sterilization the culture survived. This shows the resilience of a people to preserve their heritage at all costs.
Hopefully every person in the world will attend at least one Black History month event. When you do pay particular attention to the enduring culture and be grateful it has survived.
Today begins Black History month, a worldwide observance of the contributions and culture of Africans, African-Americans, and African-Caribbeans.As people attend the events and celebrations each will feel different impact. Few, though, will understand a subliminal lesson most visible in the black community.
During the 17th, 18th, 19th, and even early 20th centuries this culture was largely driven into slavery. Their “owners” attempted to remove the African or Caribbean culture from their lifestyles. After slavery was abolished worldwide in the 19th and 20th centuries, local populations attempted to get blacks to conform to the local culture. Terminology such as “melting pot” conveyed the message that we must all act the same regardless of ethnicity. “When in Rome do as the Romans do” is also used in an attempt to erase ethnic culture.
Through this tremendous pressure and attempted social sterilization the culture survived. This shows the resilience of a people to preserve their heritage at all costs.
Hopefully every person in the world will attend at least one Black History month event. When you do pay particular attention to the enduring culture and be grateful it has survived.
Labels: African, African-American, Ethnicity, Race
¶ 2/01/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Colleges want Non-American Africans
A study in the American Journal of Education has revealed a growing trend among the most prestigious of American colleges and universities in seeking students from migrating black populations. According to the study blacks born outside the United States were twice as likely to gain admission at Ivy League schools.
Africans and African-Caribbeans are more likely to be able to prepare for admissions tests according to Harvard professor Lani Guinier, as quoted by the Washington Post.
From a diversity standpoint it is advantageous for colleges and universities to enroll students from foreign countries. They are able to introduce the student body into different processes and experiences.
As local businesses are able to recruit the African students upon graduation, they will also increase their ability or effective problem solving and decision-making. ¶ 1/27/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
A study in the American Journal of Education has revealed a growing trend among the most prestigious of American colleges and universities in seeking students from migrating black populations. According to the study blacks born outside the United States were twice as likely to gain admission at Ivy League schools.Africans and African-Caribbeans are more likely to be able to prepare for admissions tests according to Harvard professor Lani Guinier, as quoted by the Washington Post.
From a diversity standpoint it is advantageous for colleges and universities to enroll students from foreign countries. They are able to introduce the student body into different processes and experiences.
As local businesses are able to recruit the African students upon graduation, they will also increase their ability or effective problem solving and decision-making. ¶ 1/27/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
After 30 years the fashion industry is still the same
I vividly remember the day in 1979 when Murray, the owner of a t-shirt company, walked into our fashion buying office in New York City. I was new to my position of assistant buyer and did not yet understand the culture of the industry.
Rick, my boss, handed Murray a copy of an ad for proofing. It featured one of the knit tops he was selling our national chain of discount department stores.
He shouted out, “Darn [sic] it!”
“What's wrong?” Rick asked.
“They put it on a black girl,” he said.
“What's the matter with that?” Rick inquired. “She's very attractive and it looks good on her.”
Murray told us that fashion industry believed that using African-American models would reduce sales by 30 to 50%.
Fast forward to 2008 and a story published by the International Herald Tribune. Reporter Guy Trebay notes that little has changed as today's fashion runways remain various shapes of Caucasian.
According to TargetMarketNews.com, African-American women comprise a $20 billion marketplace. Regardless, Trebay reports that fashion show producers receive explicit orders that fashions appear on Caucasian women. Request of this nature come from fashion shows in New York, Milan, and Paris.
What does this say about the fashion culture?
I vividly remember the day in 1979 when Murray, the owner of a t-shirt company, walked into our fashion buying office in New York City. I was new to my position of assistant buyer and did not yet understand the culture of the industry.Rick, my boss, handed Murray a copy of an ad for proofing. It featured one of the knit tops he was selling our national chain of discount department stores.
He shouted out, “Darn [sic] it!”
“What's wrong?” Rick asked.
“They put it on a black girl,” he said.
“What's the matter with that?” Rick inquired. “She's very attractive and it looks good on her.”
Murray told us that fashion industry believed that using African-American models would reduce sales by 30 to 50%.
Fast forward to 2008 and a story published by the International Herald Tribune. Reporter Guy Trebay notes that little has changed as today's fashion runways remain various shapes of Caucasian.
According to TargetMarketNews.com, African-American women comprise a $20 billion marketplace. Regardless, Trebay reports that fashion show producers receive explicit orders that fashions appear on Caucasian women. Request of this nature come from fashion shows in New York, Milan, and Paris.
What does this say about the fashion culture?
Labels: Race
¶ 1/16/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Monday, January 14, 2008
Who is responsible for the ’64 Civil Rights Act?
There is much debate in the American Presidential primaries about who is responsible for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton was quoted as giving primary credit to President Lyndon Johnson who signed the act. History has credited passage of the act to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Who is ultimately responsible for major historical advancements? Is it the person with the power to finally enact the outcome? Or is it the person that initially put into motion a series of events that led to enactment? Or could it be the people involved along the way?
History can be kind or unkind to individuals. Many have taught that Henry Ford invented the automobile. In reality he had nothing to do with that intention -- he merely invented an assembly line to mass produce what others had done. (Yes, we know that the word “merely” is a drastic understatement).
There is much debate in the American Presidential primaries about who is responsible for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton was quoted as giving primary credit to President Lyndon Johnson who signed the act. History has credited passage of the act to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Who is ultimately responsible for major historical advancements? Is it the person with the power to finally enact the outcome? Or is it the person that initially put into motion a series of events that led to enactment? Or could it be the people involved along the way?
History can be kind or unkind to individuals. Many have taught that Henry Ford invented the automobile. In reality he had nothing to do with that intention -- he merely invented an assembly line to mass produce what others had done. (Yes, we know that the word “merely” is a drastic understatement).
What about flight? Did the Wright Brothers’ success at Kitty Hawk mean that they should be given sole responsibility for the airplane? Could they have done it without the research, trials, and errors over hundreds of years as man sought to overcome gravity?
These are inventions -- and perhaps not clearly connected with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. So let's look at something more political.
Franklin Roosevelt signed the treaties that ended World War II. Can one therefore say he won the war? Can one therefore say he is responsible for the end of the war? By doing so do we diminish the sacrifice and efforts of soldiers, airmen, and sailors from dozens of countries who laid their lives on the line in the name of national sovereignty?
Even closer to the issue at hand, should Abraham Lincoln receive full acclamation and credit for freeing American slaves when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation? Could the proclamation have stood were it not for the dedication of Union soldiers, the work of the Underground Railroad, and many people who spoke loudly that all people were created equal and deserve freedom?
Granted, Lyndon Johnson was the only person in a position to sign an act of Congress. However if we give him full or majority credit for this deed, do we diminish the contributions of millions of people supporting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr? And as for the doctor himself, do we undermine the magnificence with which he laid his life on the line by creating a vivid enough vision of a nation of equality sufficient to build an army of such proportion?
We can long debate who is responsible for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In doing so let us remember that had it not been for the courageous, visionary leadership of Dr. King, President Johnson would not have had any document in front of him in the first place.
These are inventions -- and perhaps not clearly connected with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. So let's look at something more political.
Franklin Roosevelt signed the treaties that ended World War II. Can one therefore say he won the war? Can one therefore say he is responsible for the end of the war? By doing so do we diminish the sacrifice and efforts of soldiers, airmen, and sailors from dozens of countries who laid their lives on the line in the name of national sovereignty?
Even closer to the issue at hand, should Abraham Lincoln receive full acclamation and credit for freeing American slaves when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation? Could the proclamation have stood were it not for the dedication of Union soldiers, the work of the Underground Railroad, and many people who spoke loudly that all people were created equal and deserve freedom?
Granted, Lyndon Johnson was the only person in a position to sign an act of Congress. However if we give him full or majority credit for this deed, do we diminish the contributions of millions of people supporting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr? And as for the doctor himself, do we undermine the magnificence with which he laid his life on the line by creating a vivid enough vision of a nation of equality sufficient to build an army of such proportion?
We can long debate who is responsible for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In doing so let us remember that had it not been for the courageous, visionary leadership of Dr. King, President Johnson would not have had any document in front of him in the first place.
Picture credit: Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
Labels: Leadership, News, Race
¶ 1/14/2008 1 Comments Links to this post
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Hey America: Diversity isn’t about race
In the United States when you mention the word “diversity” people immediately think about inclusion of races. This is a narrow view that causes many diversity programs to do more harm than good.
The world view is more correct. Take for example a recent program announced in the Western Africa country of Ghana. With less racial diversity than Detroit or Washington they are setting up the what is probably the largest diversity program of any secondary school system in the world.
This month 1,600 students will enter the “Ghana National Exchange Programme School” to learn about the country’s six distinctly different regions. Under Country Director Cecil Nii Obodai Wentum told MBC Global that Ghana understands the diversity of its people is a key to intellectual advancement.
Ghana realizes that the different cultures between urban and rural settings, tourist and village economies, coastal and landlocked living, and many distinctions create different cognitive learning styles, experiences, and reasoning which, when understood by others, allows everyone to have a broader scope in decision making and problem solving.
Companies and organizations throughout the world should take a look at the West African nation’s program and expand their working definition of the term “diversity” if they want to have successful program.
I wonder if it is because of inventiveness like this that causes us to refer to Ghana as a “developing nation”. ¶ 1/10/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
In the United States when you mention the word “diversity” people immediately think about inclusion of races. This is a narrow view that causes many diversity programs to do more harm than good.The world view is more correct. Take for example a recent program announced in the Western Africa country of Ghana. With less racial diversity than Detroit or Washington they are setting up the what is probably the largest diversity program of any secondary school system in the world.
This month 1,600 students will enter the “Ghana National Exchange Programme School” to learn about the country’s six distinctly different regions. Under Country Director Cecil Nii Obodai Wentum told MBC Global that Ghana understands the diversity of its people is a key to intellectual advancement.
Ghana realizes that the different cultures between urban and rural settings, tourist and village economies, coastal and landlocked living, and many distinctions create different cognitive learning styles, experiences, and reasoning which, when understood by others, allows everyone to have a broader scope in decision making and problem solving.
Companies and organizations throughout the world should take a look at the West African nation’s program and expand their working definition of the term “diversity” if they want to have successful program.
I wonder if it is because of inventiveness like this that causes us to refer to Ghana as a “developing nation”. ¶ 1/10/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, January 4, 2008
The overlooked role of culture in Obama victory
In reporting the Barack Obama victory in the Democratic caucuses in Iowa political pundits, including those for the candidates themselves, have missed what is possibly one of the most significant events of the day.
It is not necessarily their fault for missing an unprecedented event as they are focused strictly on the candidates and voter demographics. On the surface this seems sufficient as demographics represent people. But that is similar to saying a fever represents illness. Although it is true that demographics represent people, they miss the reality that people represent cultures. If they were looking at cultures also demographics they would have seen an absolutely amazing story.
They did pick up on the fact that Iowa has a heavily white population. According to the United States Census Bureau, only Vermont and West Virginia are whiter than Iowa. This is important in analyzing the results, but fall short of diagnosing a fever.
Historical perspective
African-Americans historically have been rated higher in polls than on the actual ballot casting. The difference between the two, polling and balloting, is that the pollster knows the identity of the respondent. Balloting is anonymous.
The simple fact shows people want others to think they are inclusive. By publicly stating they are for a minority candidate they feel good about themselves. Once in the voting booth, the anonymity allows for personal prejudices to take over.
The stunning aspect of the Iowa results is the caucus process causes someone to publicly declare their vote. It removes the curtain of the voting booth that cloaked the personal bias of the voter.
White Iowans publicly declared their desire for an African-American in the White House. They stood before their friends and neighbors, people they work with, and white folk they had never met to say the African-American Obama was their candidate for the presidency.
Never before has this happened. Iowa was a reversal of the norm. Obama actually received a larger percentage than pre-caucus polling had indicated -- and he did it with white voters.
The future
It will be interesting to see how Obama does in the states where secret ballots are used. Regardless of whether or not he ultimately gets the Democratic combination, or the privilege of moving into the White House next January, he will always be the one who broke a very significant cultural barrier -- whites publicly saying the time has arrived for an African-American President.
In reporting the Barack Obama victory in the Democratic caucuses in Iowa political pundits, including those for the candidates themselves, have missed what is possibly one of the most significant events of the day.It is not necessarily their fault for missing an unprecedented event as they are focused strictly on the candidates and voter demographics. On the surface this seems sufficient as demographics represent people. But that is similar to saying a fever represents illness. Although it is true that demographics represent people, they miss the reality that people represent cultures. If they were looking at cultures also demographics they would have seen an absolutely amazing story.
They did pick up on the fact that Iowa has a heavily white population. According to the United States Census Bureau, only Vermont and West Virginia are whiter than Iowa. This is important in analyzing the results, but fall short of diagnosing a fever.
Historical perspective
African-Americans historically have been rated higher in polls than on the actual ballot casting. The difference between the two, polling and balloting, is that the pollster knows the identity of the respondent. Balloting is anonymous.
The simple fact shows people want others to think they are inclusive. By publicly stating they are for a minority candidate they feel good about themselves. Once in the voting booth, the anonymity allows for personal prejudices to take over.
The stunning aspect of the Iowa results is the caucus process causes someone to publicly declare their vote. It removes the curtain of the voting booth that cloaked the personal bias of the voter.
White Iowans publicly declared their desire for an African-American in the White House. They stood before their friends and neighbors, people they work with, and white folk they had never met to say the African-American Obama was their candidate for the presidency.
Never before has this happened. Iowa was a reversal of the norm. Obama actually received a larger percentage than pre-caucus polling had indicated -- and he did it with white voters.
The future
It will be interesting to see how Obama does in the states where secret ballots are used. Regardless of whether or not he ultimately gets the Democratic combination, or the privilege of moving into the White House next January, he will always be the one who broke a very significant cultural barrier -- whites publicly saying the time has arrived for an African-American President.
Labels: African-American, Ethnicity, Race, Religion
¶ 1/04/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Multiculturalism – Smart business or racism?
The Ayn Rand Institute has called multiculturalism “the new racism” that would turn a country into “country into a collection of separatist groups”. They are joined by others believing multiculturalism positions one culture above another culture without stating which culture belongs at the top. This, they contend, will lead to the creation of “separatist groups competing with each other for power”.
Yet if you read yesterday’s definition of culture with an inquisitive mind, you may have already figured out that every individual on this planet is already individually multicultural. Each of us belongs to different multiple different cultures at the same time.
For example, we are members of a specific generational culture. The Baby Boomer generation experienced the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. However each member of the Baby Boomer generation is also a member of an ethnic culture. In the African-American culture, Martin Luther King’s death had a much more profound impact than that of JFK. In European-American homes JFK’s death was a more significant event.
If we were not multicultural as individuals, the events would have had exactly the same effect on every person. Due to the multicultural aspects of our character, events are perceived differently. Neither is better than the other, they are just different.
The Ayn Rand Institute has called multiculturalism “the new racism” that would turn a country into “country into a collection of separatist groups”. They are joined by others believing multiculturalism positions one culture above another culture without stating which culture belongs at the top. This, they contend, will lead to the creation of “separatist groups competing with each other for power”.Yet if you read yesterday’s definition of culture with an inquisitive mind, you may have already figured out that every individual on this planet is already individually multicultural. Each of us belongs to different multiple different cultures at the same time.
For example, we are members of a specific generational culture. The Baby Boomer generation experienced the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. However each member of the Baby Boomer generation is also a member of an ethnic culture. In the African-American culture, Martin Luther King’s death had a much more profound impact than that of JFK. In European-American homes JFK’s death was a more significant event.
If we were not multicultural as individuals, the events would have had exactly the same effect on every person. Due to the multicultural aspects of our character, events are perceived differently. Neither is better than the other, they are just different.
Labels: Generation, Race
¶ 12/19/2007 0 Comments Links to this post
