US Census Bureau Map Displays Evolution to U.S. Multi-Culturalism

This US Census Bureau Map depicts which Ethnicities have the Largest Ancestry In U.S. Cities. What this map proves is America is NOT a melting pot.

Teddy Roosevelt would be appalled by this map. Roosevelt opposed anyone maintaining their own ethnicity or identities. His wish was that everyone coming to America adopt his view of assimilation. He opposed the Immigration of German and Irish at the turn of the last century. About Native Americans he said, "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are." Regarding Blacks he said, "I have not been able to think out any solution of the terrible problem offered by the presence of the Negro on this continent." From Roosevelt's perspective, everyone coming into America should jump into a Melting Pot and come out Vanilla.

Looking at the map today, those of German ancestry overwhelm states all across America and the Irish overwhelm Massachusetts and New York. The English populate the Northeast, Utah, the eastern part of Nevada and lower Idaho. Blacks are the majority in Southern States, in D.C., Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. Latinos of Mexican descent are the majority in Texas through to California. Native Americans are the majority in Northern Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, eastern Oklahoma, and parts of South Dakota, Montana and Nevada. The Finnish and Norwegian populate the northern parts of Michigan, Minnesota and North Dakota.

America is more of a Salad Bowl. We are all American yet unique in the fact that we each maintain our ethnicity, culture and family traits as we continue to evolve within our economic environment and technological advances.

Happy July 4th to Our Beautiful Multi-Cultural Society where ALL People are Free AND Equal!

Happy 4th of July to ALL Viewers of my Blog.
Thank you for reading my pages.

As I've often said, I LOVE AMERICA!
Many of my viewers, particularly the ANTIs, often ask me, "Why do you have these pictures?" "Why do they say 'I am an American?'" "The girls look Latino AND Asian. What are you saying?"

I always respond. These pictures depict the Real America. Our Evolving America. These are Beautiful, Multi-Cultural Americans. These are 1st generation Americans of every, beautiful ethnicity. My family is Latino, Black, White, Asian, Native American. So is America!

The ANTI's call the multi-cultural American Babies -- "Anchor Babies." The ANTI's denigrate them. They chastise them. They have made several efforts to introduce NEW LAWS to change the 14th Amendment -- the Birthright Citizenship Laws. The ANTI's talk about supporting the Rule of Law -- But Only Laws they AGREE with, not laws, like the 14th Amendment and the current Birthright Citizenship laws that they strive to change. The ANTI's chastise these Beautiful, Multi-cultural Faces! They DEMAND a Change to the 14th Amendment! How Un-American!

These same ANTI's are now present in the Right Wing Extremist Tea Party groups that are AGAINST the Immigration Reform Laws. These groups are Demanding a 2000 mile fence, a Change to the 14th Amendment, and English Only laws.

We True Americans understand what they are doing. Their Motivation is STRICTLY based on their racial biases.

True American Meb Keflezighi Wins the New York City Marathon -- Except to Far Right Extremists

According to some pundits, YOU don't count as an American unless THEY say so.

Over the weekend, Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the New York City Marathon since 1982. But CNBC's Darren Rovell wan't impressed. Darren Rovell doesn't think Meb is really an American. Rovell sees that Meb is NOT White. He is NOT of Northern European Descent. Therefore, Rovell twittered and wrote on his Blog: "Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he's not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies."

I was SHOCKED when I read Rovell's words. I read Meb's Bio. I KNOW he IS an American. It does NOT matter that he is NOT white! It does NOT matter that he is NOT of Northern European descent.

I know ALL Americans should be proud of Meb's accomplishments.

According to Meb's Bio: Mebrahtom "Meb" Keflezighi was born May 5, 1975 in Asmara, Eritrea. He is an American athlete specializing in long distance running. In 1987, when Meb was only 12 years old, his family immigrated to San Diego. In 7th grade, track coaches take an interest in Meb and they train him as a potential American Olympian. He and his brothers lead their schools to track titles. Meb graduated from San Diego HS as the 1st person to win the all academic/athlete team captain for two years in a row. In 1994 he placed 2nd in the Footlocker Cross Country Championships. Meb also won a full scholarship to UCLA. In 1998, Meb becomes a naturalized citizen as do other members of his family. Throughout college years, Meb wins scholastic as well as athletic awards. He completes his degree. In 2004, he won a Silver Medal for the USA! From 2005 - 2009 Meb was married, had 2 beautiful daughters as well as placing in several National/International Track events. This past weekend, Meb became the first American to win the New York City marathon since 1982. Since Meb was 12 years old, he and his family have strived for and achieved the American Dream, following the rules, following the legal path, loving America, accomplishing for the country he loves.

Yet, Rovell says he is NOT American enough to proclaim himworthy of our praise of him for being an American, trained in America, who has accomplished such a feat. As I read Rovell's comments, I asked myself, "What does it take to be "American enough" for someone like Rovell." I read through some of the comments on his blog. Most respondents were angry at Rovell, like me, for making such blatantly racist remarks. However, there were some members of the birther/tea-bagger movement that agreed with Rovell. One commenter in particular, named trupatriot, commented, "Nov 3, 2009 12:33 PM ET. ROVELL DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE LIBTARD IDIOTS! I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK AND I DON'T CARE IF THEY WIN MARATHONS THEY DON'T BELONG HERE!!!!! BORN IN AFRICA JUST LIKE THE MUSLIM OBAMA WHO WILL NEVER BE MY PRESIDENT!!! GLENN BECK AND LIMBAUGH ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. IT IS TIME TO DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND AND WE NEED NOT CELEBRATE IT JUST BECAUSE OF HAVING "AMERICAN" NEXT TO THEIR NAME IT MEANS NOTHING IF YOU DON'T BELONG HERE! "

These statements are incomprehensible! The commenter said, "I want MY Country back? I don't care if THEY win marathons?" My questions back to him is, "Meb is an American. Why do YOU think he doesn't belong here? Just because of the color of his skin? Because he was born in Africa? You think people from Africa cannot immigrate here? People of color? Do YOU only accept those who are White skinned from Northern Europe?? Why do YOU think YOU name the criteria?"

The bosses at CNBC must have gotten to Rovell because the next day he issued a half-hearted apology for his first "Not a Real American" blog. In his 2nd column, Rovell wrote, "Here's what I got wrong. All I was saying was that we should celebrate an American marathon champion who has completely been brought up through the American system. This is where, I must admit, my critics made their best point. It turns out, Keflezighi moved to the United States in time to develop at every level in America."

A commenter to Rovell's 2nd column, S.Katz, got Rovell's original intent right when he said,"Nov 3, 2009 12:22 PM ET: Rule #1 - when you find your self in a hole, stop digging. "because there was a difference between being an American-born product and being an American citizen" They PAY you to write stuff like this at CNBC? If this man were of white European ancestry, we wouldn't have ever had this discussion to begin with. You know it. I know it, and so does everyone else."

I wonder if people like Rovell or like his birther, tea-bagger supporters, or Orly Taitz, will ever learn! Being American does NOT mean being of White, Northern European ethnicity. America is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic melting pot! We are the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave! All colors, all ethnicities, in our beautiful melting pot, salad bowl!

West Point Class of 2009 - An Impressive Picture of Diversity

The West Point Class of 2009 is an Impressive Picture of Diversity. ALL Americans, particularly the ANTIs, should understand that our country is no longer a country of Northern European Immigrants controlled and ruled by White Males. We are evolving into a beautiful, multi cultural, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, male/female, equal Society! Once the ANTIs understand this, perhaps at that time, they will finally embrace Comprehensive Immigration reform.

God Bless America!

Reference:
West Point Class of 2009 a Diverse, Impressive Group

Pat Buchanan OUTS Himself as a RACIST and DailyKos Takes him On!

Pat Buchanan revealed himself as a Racist! (at least he is saying it out loud vs those that pretend they are not.)
During a seemingly rational discussion of America's relationship with Mexico on Andrea Mitchell's MSNBC show on Tuesday, Buchanan turned it into a Latino-bashing bigotfest:

Buchanan:
Mexico is the greatest foreign policy crisis I think America faces in the next 20, 30 years. Who is going to care, Andrea, 30 years from now whether a Sunni or a Shia is in Baghdad or who’s ruling in Kabul?
We’re going to have 135 million Hispanics in the United States by 2050, heavily concentrated in the southwest. The question is whether we’re going to survive as a country.

Buchanan is not talking about "illeeeegals." He is talking about "Hispanics." Today, the census bureau tells us we have 50M Hispanic citizens in the U.S. In 2050, the census bureau tells us we will have 135M Hispanic citizens in the US. Pat Buchanan is demonizing Hispanic citizens.

Here is what Kos said about Buchanan's comment:
Not just the Southwest, Pat, but in California, in Idaho, in North and South Carolina, in Virginia, in New York, in Florida, in Georgia, in Alaska, in Wisconsin, in every f'ing place in this great country of ours. Maybe even inside your own house!!! (Seriously, who cleans your house and tends your yard, Pat?) And don't look now, but Asians are the second-fastest growing minority group in the country, what with their chop sticks and tofu further destroying your idyllic vision of what American is supposed to look like. I mean, who can recognize Minnesota anymore with their Hmong community, or Michigan, with its large Arab population, or east Texas with its Vietnamese expatriates, or Orange County with its huge Iranian contingent? And look what happened to South Florida when the Cubans took it over! Or are they okay, Pat, because they're "anti-communists"?
Damn foreigners ruining everything! And there's even some like me who put their kids in Spanish-language schools! Egads! People talking foreign! Yes Pat, your paranoia is justified. When we talk Spanish around you, we're talking about you.
Of course, xenophobic retrogrades (like Buchanan) are nothing new, and there's definitely nothing new to Buchanan's racism. It's been long documented. I give him props for at least being open about his beliefs (voicing them out loud), which is more that can be said about most of the rest of them.
But this country will do okay, just like it always has, assimilating wave after wave of immigrants, further enriching our culture, our music, and our cuisine. It's bred into our country's DNA, allowing families like mine to make this great country their home, and breeding immigrant success story after success story, the likes few other countries (if any) can boast.

Yes We Can Live in Peace and Harmony in a Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Racial, Multi-Cultural Society! God Bless America!

Time for a Good News Story:

For Japanese and Koreans immigrating to America, containing cultural conflicts has been difficult. Their motherlands are burdened with a long history of conflict stemming from territorial disputes and historical grievances related to Japan's colonization of Korea in the early 20th century.

As Korean residents and shop owners have increased their presence in Little Tokyo, the historic heart of Southern California's Japanese American community, the multicultural melding hasn't always been harmonious.

When the number of Koreans began multiplying in Little Tokyo Towers a few years ago, complaints about them from Japanese residents quickly began to surface. The Japanese immigrants said of the Koreans: "They smell of garlic." "They don't follow the rules." "They're going to take over." Then, from the Koreans: "The Japanese are snooty." "They don't greet you in the elevator." "They disdain Korean culture." "They're trying to push us out."

Today, however, the tone in the towers -- a 300-unit senior housing facility on 3rd Street -- is strikingly different. A Korean resident whose relatives were jailed for protesting Japan's colonization of his motherland is teaching his native language to a dozen of his Japanese neighbors. "Ga, gya, go, gyo," they intently repeated on a recent night, mimicking the sounds of the Korean alphabet as teacher Simon Yoon pointed them out on a whiteboard. Residents recently held a New Year's party and debuted a Korean-Japanese bilingual newsletter called "Bridges" to share their cultures. On other nights, they belt out songs in both languages using a karaoke machine purchased by Korean residents -- who took care to include 2,500 Japanese songs. And in August, they attended a groundbreaking "harmony concert" featuring Japanese and Korean music and dance.

The turnabout in Little Tokyo proves ethnic harmony is possible, the residents say. "We want to show that in Little Tokyo, there are people who want to be good neighbors to each other regardless of the past and all of the conflicts we've experienced. If reconciliation can happen in Little Tokyo, then it could be a model for the city and for Japan and South Korea."

Reference:

Japanese and Koreans learn to live together in harmony in L.A.'s Little Tokyo

Globalization Leads to Evolving Multi Cultural Societies

Interwoven within the comment sections of my last several blogs, the topic of Culture has arisen. What is culture? Do we have one U.S. culture? Or, do we have an ever evolving, multi-cultural society?
Culture has been called "the way of life” for a society, including the arts, manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, games, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief.
From the very beginning, the distinction between the East vs West cultures has been difficult to define with precision. The Greeks were not so different from their Eastern neighbors. In the later 20th to early 21st century, with the advent of increasing globalism, it has become even more difficult to determine which individuals fit into which category.
Today, globalism has spread western ideas so widely that almost all modern countries or cultures are defined by aspects of Western Culture. Geographically, countries defined as "Western Culture" include Europe, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, it can be said, Western Culture is an amalgamation of a variety of sub-cultures. Western culture tends to be more individualistic than non-Western cultures. It also sees man, God, and nature or the universe more separately than non-Western cultures. They may be marked by economic wealth, literacy, and technological advancement, although these traits are not exclusive to it.
Western culture is NOT homogeneous nor unchanging, however. It continues to evolve as components of sub-cultures become enmeshed into the overall cultural traits. Example 1: The originators of Western Culture, the Greeks and the Romans do not have the same cultural traits as Americans of the 21st Century today. Example 2: A remarkable social and cultural inversion has occurred in the last fifty years: where once Western culture was the monopoly of the upper classes, it now, more often than not, bubbles up from those on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’. This transformation has been especially evident in the world of style - with the authenticity of streetstyle challenging and then toppling the dictatorship of High Fashion.

One of my new Blog Favorites is “The Czech.” I visited her blog recently. She has a very interesting post titled “Wealth and Religiosity.” As you scroll down, there is a chart from Columbia University depicting “Average Religious Attendance vs Average income", with an overlay depicting Red (Bush) vs Blue (Kerry) states. As Czech comments, “What is it about high religiosity that pairs it so often with poverty? Are those with low quality of life more likely to turn to religion as a consolation, or does a high level of religiosity in a society somehow impede its ability to maintain a strong economy and stable society?”
I think the chart also shows the differences in sub-Cultures across the USA. As I have said for so long, New York has a different culture than Atlanta, is different from Miami, is different from New Orleans, is different from Texas, is different for Las Vegas, is different from Kansas, is different from Michigan, is different from L.A. The differences include most cultural aspects, including: the arts, manners, dress, rituals, games, and to a degree, norms of behavior such as morality, systems of belief-religion, to a lesser degree language and law.
So as I study this map, the differences in the cultural aspects, the differences in income, influence and class, it is obvious to see our nation is comprised of a variety of sub-cultures, ever-evolving.
So the question becomes, why are so many so angry with the fact we have an evolving, multi (sub) cultural society that is ever evolving?
I believe the anger and the outrage originates from many of those who believe they are the Dominant Culture. Our society is a conglomeration of many subcultures. In the past, the Dominant Culture has been able, through economic and political power, to impose their preference of values, language, and behaviors on other subordinate cultures. However, the Civil Rights Movement and the end of the Jim Crow laws impacted their dominance. It has taken until now, forty years later, for the Dominant Culture to feel the impact of this CHANGE.
I came across a blog called “The Diversity Exchange” written by an HR expert. She said, “I have come to believe that (at least in the Western European empires) skin color DOES matter still, as do gender, age, social/economic class, physical abilities and more. Perhaps not as much on an individual-by-individual case as even a decade or two ago, but institutionally, it is evident when one looks at large organizations, whether commercial or non-profit. Just looking at photos and reading names of management and directors of various US organizations, the percentage of people who do not seem part of the “dominant culture” (i.e., white, male, Northern European background) is quite small. However, looking at the names, gender and skin color of most “workers,” I find great diversity. When I take public transportation, or park in public parking lots, I see and hear diversity. So what happens to these diverse people on the way to the boardroom? Presumably, organizations hire the best talent possible, provide the tools and training opportunities for personal and professional growth and then reward the top performers with additional remuneration and responsibility (i.e., promotions). Like others, I find it hard to believe that the only members of the dominant culture are top performers. It is hard for those who are part of the dominant culture to realize their societal advantages over others. White privilege, heterosexism, ableism, ageism and a whole host of other –isms exist whether we choose to recognize them or not.”
What we are facing today is some members of the current Dominant Culture of our country recognizing the Change that Globalism has brought to our country and to the World. They recognize this is a Train they cannot stop. Therefore they react with Anger, with Rage and with using every method in their power to Stop the Train. However, they are reluctant to voice their fear. Instead, they point to easy targets, to Immigrants (legal or illegal), they attack the messengers who speak the truth about Race and Diversity, they try to instill Fear and Hate and Anger, sometimes using AM Shock Jocks, the Christian Conservative Right and even empowering Hate Groups to do their dirty work for them.
The problem is, they do not want to admit the truth. They do not want to say they fear Diversity, Equal Rights, Women´s Rights, and the fact that all diverse groups, ALL men and women are created equal. They do not want to say they fear living in a world where White Northern European Males are NOT ALWAYS in Control.
References:
1. Culture
2. Dominant Culture
3. Western Culture
4. World Culture Encyclopedia
5. The Chez Blog
6. The Diversity Exchange
7. Streetstyle

America Evolves "Multi-Racially" and America asks: "Is Barack Obama black or multi-racial?"

Happy Father´s Day and Happy Family Day!! What a beautiful day we have today in our Beautiful USA! Today´s post is about Families!
As I have shared on many occassions, America is continuing to evolve to a multi-ethnic nation. My family, like so many American families, has many ethnic roots, inluding: Latino, Native American, Northern European, Asian, African American and Middle Eastern.
The U.S. Census Bureau, citing "the racial and ethnic makeup of our country has significantly changed since 1977", changed their ethnicity categories in 2000. They added the “multi-ethnicity” option.
As the Census Bureau reports:
The most profound change to the question on race for Census 2000 is that respondents are allowed to identify one or more races to indicate their racial identity. There are 15 check box response categories and 3 write-in areas on the Census 2000 questionnaire, compared with 16 check box response categories and 2 write-in areas in 1990. The three separate identifiers for the American Indian and Alaska Native populations (American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut) used earlier have been combined into one category - - American Indian or Alaska Native - - with instructions for respondents who check the box to print the name of their enrolled or principal tribe. The Asian and Pacific Islander category has been split into two categories Asian, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. There are six specified Asian and three detailed Pacific Islander categories shown on the Census 2000 questionnaires, as well as Other Asian and Other Pacific Islander which have write-in areas for respondents to provide other race responses. Finally, the category Some Other Race.. has a write-in area.

CNN Reports: The 2000 U.S. Census was the first time Americans were allowed to identify themselves as "multiracial," and more than six million people checked more than one box in the race and ethnicity category. Included in the multiracial category is the Democratic presumptive nominee, Sen. Barack Obama. With a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Kenya, Obama is the nation's first biracial candidate for president.