Bibliography

Ameja, Pauleen. “ABCD: American Born Confused Desi.” Desi Club 6 Apr. 2004. 1 June 2009 .

Barnes, Brookes. “Her Prince Has Come. Critics, Too.” The New York Times 29 May 2009: 1+2. 31 May 2009 .

“Calzones.” Epicurious. 31 May 2009 .

Elliot, Andrea. “After 9/‌11, Arab-Americans Fear Police Acts, Study Finds .” The New York Times 12 June 2006: 1+2. New York Times. 31 May 2009 .

- - -. “A Muslim Leader in Brooklyn, Reconciling 2 Worlds .” The New York Times 5 Mar. 2006: 1,2,3,4,5,6. 31 May 2009 .

Google’s Multicultural Work Force. Picture Slide Show. 2009. The New York Times 11 Apr. 2009. 1 June 2009 .

Kingsbury, Alex. “In Defense of Civil Rights; The Justice Department renews the fight against discrimination after years of neglect.” U.S. News & World Report 146 (May 2009): 44. eLibrary. ProQuest. New Trier High School Library, Winnetka, IL. 31 May 2009 .

Salkin, Allen. “American Girl’s Journey To the .” The New York Times 24 May 2009: 1 or 7 .

How does one be or become an American? An Essay...

An American citizen is a synthesis of assorted values. Yet, when Caroline Myers thinks of how one goes about the process becoming an American, it becomes clear. It just takes backwards cognition to get the definition. The American identity has been shaped by many other countries. This range of diverse cultures is what makes it difficult to pinpoint a specific American culture. In Michael Grahams interview, he questioned if an actual American culture existed. Then he teased about strip malls and cheese burgers being a large part of the American identity.For example, music has transformed from decade to decade, but we've adopted it from other countries. The cliché/overused description of America's diversity is known as the "melting pot" metaphor. Although many sociologists find this description to be outdated, the melting pot refers to America's integration of different ethnic groups. It refers to the acceptance of the new culture. However, it seems that immigrants lose some of their own cultural identity and roots to their native countries when they become American. Therefore, to become an American one has to sacrifice some of their own cultural identity to assimilate. America prides itself off of its diversity,however, acceptance of all the various groups hasn't happened completely. Racism and racial profiling are still prevalent within American society today. The country's foundation seems based off of conformity and "Americanization." It seems ironic that our country has developed thanks to many races and countries, yet many whites still find themselves superior to other races. Immigrants are expected to learn our language, sense of style, music, etc. They really are just expected to conform. It's not like people are extremely willing to learn about the various cultures that make up our country. Cultural ignorance looms around us. Fitting into American culture is the main worry of an immigrant because the nation does expect so much of them. Is America's tolerance of diversity a facade? These topics will all be explored by the Cultural specialist, Caroline Myers. She likes to be referred to as the Cultural Connoisseur.

A Home Away From Home: An Interview with Margie

Belize reef is only second to Australia's Reef

	Population: 292,000 Area: 22,965 square kilometers (8,867 square miles) Language: English, Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna, Creole Religion: Roman Catholic, Prot Currency: Belizean dollar Life Expectancy: 67 Literacy Percent: 9 Margie: It was a very brief Interview. But she had a lot to say. We sort of disagreed because she told me she really has "stayed in touch with her Belizean roots."

Someone's Doing It Right

Google seems to have an extremely diverse group of employees. Caroline Myers wouldn't expect anything less from the Holy Search engine. Half of the engineers working at the head quarters in Silicon Valley, California were born overseas. Google just loves to recruit foreign employees. They celebrate diversity by naming each work room after foreign cities. Google sees diversity as a bonus to their company and embrace it in a trendy, geeky way. The company even hires an immigration specialist! The woman who currently holds this title is Christine Doyle. She helps employees deal with the increasingly restrictive visa and immigration rules. This job entails tasks like processing visa forms which are punctuated by crises, and keeping frustrated workers sane. Apparently, "Google estimates that it spends about $20 million a year on its immigration efforts"(Multicultural Work force). It doesn't stop here folks. Google's cafeteria caters to it's international employees by serving many varieties of ethnic cuisine. The rest of the country could take a hint or too from the people over at Google. Take the time to learn about and appreciate other cultures. When asked, Parker (another interviewee) mentioned that Google would probably one of the best places to work in the U.S. as of late. Caroline Myers would have to concur.

ABCD: American Born Confused Desi

LINK FOR THE ARTICLE



The term, "American Born Confused Desi" refers to an individual who is culturally confused. They consider themselves Brown on the outside, yet white on the inside. These feelings stem from loss of cultural identity. When one is of a different descent, but then grows up in the U.S. it is hard to keep that connection to one's original background. For example, in this article the girl is told by her father "remember we are Indian." She understands that she's Indian, it's just so hard for her to stay true to her culture when America has such different values. Nisha was raised in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up in Wisconsin seems like it would truly be a true blooded American experience. Nisha went to kindergarten with other little American children and when she came home she was expected to participate in her family's regular cultural and traditional activities. She gave the example of eating her mother's spicy Indian food. She was trying to be accepted by all of these children but still please her parents at the same time. WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND KINDERGARTNERS ARE FOUR AND FIVE YEARS OLD. That is a lot to ask of someone who is four feet and under (probably completely inaccurate, Caroline Myers doesn't currently know any Kindergartners). Children are just trying to fit in in most cases. It's hard for them to embrace their differences and coming to a new country (especially the U.S.) would not be easy.

As already discussed, racial stereotyping is a common problem among citizens of the United States. However, children could be some of the most guilty when it comes to this epidemic. Kids are often sheltered and don't really understand people who are different than they are, which is somewhat excusable because they are still pretty uneducated/naive. However, parents should be teaching children from a young age to embrace cultural difference. If that is what America is all about AHEM. In Nisha's case "John and Tammy are always assuming Nisha doesn't know as much or feel exactly like them because...well...she's an Indian. Neha and Rahul expect Nisha to like and laugh at the same things that they do because...well...why wouldn't she? She's an Indian isn't she? This is the problem. These children don't know anything about her culture. Similarly to Janet's experience. When interviewing Janet Yuan, Caroline Myers learned that people had funny perceptions of Canada and many generalizations. Janet moved to Wilmette from Canada when she was around ten years old, she mentioned many students asking her if she used the word "eh" a lot. These kids in Nisha's store just assume she is foreign and doesn't understand or doesn't have anything in common with them. Nisha is in fact American. Maybe she has a different family background, but she was also born in America. She's not an alien. Recap: fitting in with the other kids, pleasing her parents, being an American, being a good Indian girl. DILEMMA.

A New Disney Princess

THE OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER


Disney is releasing a new movie at the end of this year. It is entitled "The Princess and the Frog." It's quite controversial because it is the first black Disney Princess! This is a breakthrough for the always credible Disney network (just kidding Christensen). It is extremely exciting that Disney has finally somewhat caught up with the Politically correct times. However, this movie could be potentially promoting stereotypes. First of all the Prince seems to be a much lighter skinned black man. This has caused a lot of controversy, because it has gotten the black community to suspect that Disney doesn't believe a black man rightly deserves the title of a "prince." Additionally, the firefly character (Ray) has been given a southern dialect. This has angered people because it seems like he has been given the stereotypical uneducated Southerner persona. The princess apparently transforms into a frog (sorry to ruin the plot) after kissing one. So finally a black Disney princess, yet she spends the majority of the movie as a frog? Something is wrong with this picture! Clearly Disney has been known for it's history of stereotyping. However, it does say something about our country as a whole. The creators of the film say that every decision has been carefully thought out. They are deathly afraid of scrutiny. However, Caroline Myers thinks this could possibly be taken the wrong way, not by the children, but by the adults. The NAACP and Oprah have apparently been consulted during the creation process, but when asked "Ms. Winfrey declined to comment. A spokesman for the N.A.A.C.P. said the organization had no immediate comment"(Her Prince Has Come). It's interesting that the two refuse to give their input.

From Beaumont to Detroit

Beaumont to Detroit: 1943

Looky here, America
What you done done--
Let things drift
Until the riots come.

Now your policemen
Let your mobs run free
I reckon you don't care
Nothing about me.

You tell me that Hitler
Is a mighty bad man.
I guess he took lessons
from the Klu Klux Klan.

You tell me Mussolini's
Got an evil heart.
Well, it mus-a been in Beaumont
That he had his start--

Cause everything that Hitler
And Mussolini do,
Negroes get the same
Treatment from you.

You Jim crowed me
Before Hitler rose to power--
And you're STILL Jim crowing me
Right now, this very hour.

Yet you say we're fighting
For democracy.
Then why don't democracy
Include me?

I ask you this question
Cause I want to know
How long I got to fight
BOTH HITLER--AND JIM CROW

Bear with Caroline Myers here readers. This poem was clearly written many years ago. It's an old poem and the state of the country has obviously improved immensely. However, this poem is one that leaves a lasting impression. Langston writes about the Fascism of World War II and how the people of Germany are being heavily oppressed. It's when he compares those problems to America and it's racial inequality, that this poem becomes powerful. For example, when he states "Cause everything that Hitler and Mussolini do, negroes get the same treatment from you"(ll 17-20). Langston reveals America's hypocritical actions. They feel the need to go mend the inequality in Europe when their own nation isn't even granting citizens in their own country the same privileges. WOW as long ago as this all was, it's still apart of America's history. As much as people would like to block it out of their minds, it happened and it won't be forgotten. It's better that it not be forgotten, because then it can be taught in school. Students can learn from the country's mistakes. Caroline Myers has pointed out many racial issues still existing in the United States today, but it's important to realize how far it has come.