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Race/Ethnicity Questions 421-430

THE QUESTION:
R430: In San Francisco recently there was a debate over required reading in the public high school district. It broke down to a race issue. I continually heard the statement that the kids needed to read from authors who reflected their ethnicity to feel more positive about themselves. Is it possible this line of thinking could cause us to slip toward a situation similar to that of Bosnia?
POSTED AUG. 21, 1998
R.M.D., 32, white <misterdillon@yahoo.com>, San Jose, CA

ANSWER 1:
Personally, I don’t feel reading books by “dead white authors” is of value to my child. But if it serves your child’s needs, fine. I have a problem with white people dictating to me what I should teach my child. Teach your child what you want them to learn, but do not force your values, beliefs, and version of history on my child. Who determines what is classical literature anyway? White people? I don’t think so. (Unfortunately, you won’t see this message! Honesty on this board? Please.)
POSTED AUG. 23, 1998
Wanda, black female, MI
(Director’s Note: Many of our users express curiosity about the types of submissions Y? receives that it ultimately decides not to post. Y? has posted the preceding answer unedited in order to provide an example of such a submission, one it normally would delete for not adhering to the constructive spirit of the forum – not so much for its content but for its tone. Of course, no undertaking of a project such as Y? can be scientific, and such decisions about what is meant to promote dialogue and what is designed to provoke confrontation will always be subject to the biases of the moderator(s). As always, Y? encourages and depends on the feedback of its users to provide a check on the decisions it makes regarding content posted.)

FURTHER NOTICE:
I was born and raised in Africa, and I am happy the school authorities made sure we got the best of the two worlds (African history and the Western world). The best way to educate children is to expose them to the different cultures and of course lay emphasis on their own culture. In my own understanding, America is a united country, and that means the different races that make up the country should be equally educated about one another. I believe that would eventually make the newer generations eager to bridge the racial gaps made by their predecessors.
POSTED AUG. 25, 1998
Ify <ifebigh77@hotmail.com>, Miami, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Growing up in New England, my school reading, both literature and history, was very Euro-centric. Not until I attended college in Seattle and took courses in Asian history, Asian culture, Asian-American literature and so on did I find out much about non-European cultures. Much of American society stems from a European background. But we do an extreme disservice to our children – no matter what their race – by not exposing them to the history, culture and literature of the entire world. It is also important to those children of non-European backgrounds to see that their own cultures produced history, literature and so on.
POSTED AUG. 25, 1998
Chuck, white, San Francisco, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
As a high school student, I am subject to reading the literature in question. Over the past years, the majority of the works I have read have been by European or white-American authors. The literature by authors of other ethnicities is usually not studied as thoroughly as American and European literature. I think it would benifit all students if we were educated more about other countries, ethnicities and cultures. This wide variety of exposure might teach American children that America is not the only “great civilization.”
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Kia Baker, 15, black, Raleigh, NC

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
To Wanda: If you are unhappy with the educational system, fight back. No one is forcing you to send your child to a public school. If you are unhappy with your child learning about dead white authors, petition your educators to provide a more ethnically diverse curriculum. And why would you want black history to be taught, but not others’ cultures such as European studies? I happen to work for a publisher who produces multicultural studies. They’re available; demand them. It’s not the school’s sole responsibilty to educate your child. I am a single parent who majored in English. I stress standard English in my home because it is a valuable tool (and before you ask, we use our own dialect as well). My children have several books about and by blacks. We also read books by and about other peoples. How can I teach my children to command respect without teaching them to respect others?
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Zawadi, 33, black female, Detroit, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
To Wanda: For much of history, works of literature were produced only by rich, white males, so if you want a better understanding of our heritage, that’s what you need to read. Reading European literature exclusively is no longer necessary or advisable, but if you are interested in having your child learn about his or her world, it might be a good idea to expose him or her to the predominant forces that shaped our world. While I do not appreciate your trying to disrupt a forum like this that I enjoy by making charges of dishonesty and would prefer folks like you be kept off, it’s good for me to know people like you exist, so I can learn how you think and better protect myself from you.
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Steve, KS

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Why would anyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, deny their child the opportunity of being exposed to all literature? While I have read and enjoyed many great books by authors of African descent (most of my personal library content), I would have greatly limited my exposure if I had not read authors of other ethnic/racial backgrounds. While we have a reponsibility to make sure authors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are made available to our children, they should be encouraged to read and enjoy a book, regardless of the author’s ethnicity.
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Stephanie Y., 34, African American <r_young@ix.netcom.com>, Houston, TX

FURTHER NOTICE 7:
The person who started this debate seems to be asking if promoting children’s reading of books featuring characters of similiar ethnicity will cause inter-ethnic strife within the different communities of San Francisco. I’m not sure how this would come about. If one sees positive portrayals of people like oneself, won’t this promote self-confidence and self-love? On the other hand, if a child see his/herself portrayed in a negative way, wouldn’t that cause the child to develop some type of self-loathing and desire to escape his or her own ethnic group’s perceived “negativeness”? Portraying role models and heroes who share a common ethnicity with a child has to be seen as a positive. As the child grows older, he/she should be exposed to great literature of all ethnic backgrounds and tastes. There is only one type of great art – something that expresses what it means to be a human being.
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Mark D., 31, white male <carlduffy@yahoo.com>, Markham, Ontario, Canada
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THE QUESTION:
R429: I am curious about the ethnic distribution of blood types. For instance, I am blood type B+ and am white. Are there particular ethnic groups or populations with a dominant blood type?
POSTED AUG. 21, 1998
Annie P. <catleap@hotmail.com>, San Francisco, CA

ANSWER 1:
I don’t think so. I’m also a B+ and I’m a black woman. I think blood types are pretty universal, though several blood diseases like hemophilia and sickle cell aren’t.
POSTED AUG. 25, 1998
A. Browne <abrowne@sophia.smith.edu>, Northampton, MA
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THE QUESTION:
R428: To U.S. immigrants, especially Mexicans: I’d be interested to learn what prompted you to leave your home country. Can you describe your situation or the circumstances of that country?
POSTED AUG. 12, 1998
Mike, white male, Oxnard, CA
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THE QUESTION:
R427: I had a Vietnamese friend whose family moved to this country partly in order to own a manicure business, which the entire family participated in. Her brothers seemed to feel no slight to their “manhood” in being manicurists. Also, one of the largest nail salons in my town is staffed almost exclusively by Asian, male manicurists. Is this a coincidence?
POSTED AUG. 20, 1998
Julie H., 19, white female, Springfield , MO

ANSWER 1:
A lot of ethnic groups that migrate to our country operate businesses that tend to be lucrative in addressing a specific need and/or service for that particular area. That sounds like good business sense. For example, there seem to be quite a few barber and beauty supply stores operated by Asians that specialize in and cater to the needs of blacks/African Americans. They are always well-stocked with a variety of products, although I doubt the operatorsy use these products themselves. In Detroit, there are several nail shops in our local malls operated by Asians, and their business seems to be steady and frequent. But then too, the nail and hairstyling business is very popular here, and with good reason: If the basic charge for applying a complete set of overlays/nails is $20, and you handle a mere 10 clients in an eight-hour day, you have grossed $200 for a single day’s work.
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Daquiri, female, Detroit, MI
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THE QUESTION:
R426: One of our managers has been told to treat all employees equally, but has also been told to be concerned about “tone of voice” in dealing with African-American employees. The manager uses the same tone of voice with all. Why wouldn’t that be considered the correct thing to do? I’m confused.
POSTED AUG. 20, 1998
Betty K., 58, white, Syracuse, NY

ANSWER 1:
It appears the manager was reprimanded for treating the African-American employees unfairly. The important question is: How does the manager relate to the employees on your job individually? Perhaps the manager used a patronizing or condescending tone of voice when speaking only to the African-American employees.
POSTED AUG. 24, 1998
Traci C., black, Tempe, AZ

FURTHER NOTICE:
To clarify: Yes, the manager was reprimanded, but in connection with just one person. The manager supervises many employees of varying ethnic groups, including several African Americans. I have worked with this person for years – the tone used is the same for everyone. The manager isn’t a “fun and games” kind of manager. Expectations are fairly high, but the same is asked of everyone. There is, however, one African-American employee who takes exception to the tone of voice. No others do, and this has not come up in the past. It appears that to everyone but this one person, all are being treated equally. I should add that this employee has had some extremely negative experiences in past employments – not at our company. I hope this helps.
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Betty K., 58, white, Syracuse, NY

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Betty, thanks for the clarification. Based on the information given, I would say the conflict exists solely between the manager and the employee in question. Have any of the other managers talked with the other African-American employees (not involved in the conflict) to get their view of the situation? Specifically, how do they view the individuals involved in the conflict? Does the African-American employee (involved in the conflict) relate well with his/her co-workers? How does this individual relate with the other managers? What is the root of the complaint? Is there any truth to the complaint? Perhaps an outside mediator would help resolve the conflict between these two individuals.
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Traci C., Tempe, AZ
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THE QUESTION:
R425: I’m of African/white background. I’ve encountered racism from whites and blacks, but the racism I’ve encountered most has been from blacks, often from those within my own family. I’ve never understood this. Could someone please explain?
POSTED AUG. 18, 1998
Allen, 30 <allenmax@yahoo.com>, Toledo, OH
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THE QUESTION:
R424: How to African Americans care for their hair? It’s always been a bit of a mystery to me. Our church was asked to donate African-American hair products to a homeless shelter, and to be honest, we were all a little stymied.
POSTED AUG. 18, 1998
Diane M., 33, white, Kansas City, MO

ANSWER 1:
Some African Americans still have their “natural hair” (not chemically straightened), and they wash, condition and use different oils and creams to make it easier to manage and also add sheen to the hair. Those who have chemically processed hair still wash and condition it, but they have to re-touch the hair every six to eight weeks with the “relaxer.”
POSTED AUG. 25, 1998
Ify <ifebigh77@hotmail.com>, Miami, FL

FURTHER NOTICE:
To Diane: Everybody can always use shampoo and conditioner. As far as other products are concerned, you may want to go to the homeless shelter and ask the people what they need.
POSTED AUG. 25, 1998
Black female, Kansas City, MO
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THE QUESTION:
R423: I am a graduate student at the University of Illinois studying speech pathology. I’m enrolled in a class designed to address multicultural issues. My question: How do people who identify with the Vietnamese culture feel about services in speech pathology?And are speech, language or communication disorders even considered disorders in this culture?
POSTED AUG. 18, 1998
Rebecca, 23 <rzerivit@students.uiuc.edu>, Champaign, IL
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THE QUESTION:
R422: I often see young black males walking around with one leg of their pants (usually sweat pants) rolled up, at any time of the year. What does this signify? I’ve never seen people from other ethnic groups do this.
POSTED AUG. 18, 1998
Chris H., 40, white male <charbaugh@spelmanco.com>, Kokomo, IN
(Similar question posted Oct. 14, 1998, by
Teresap, white female, 30, Charlotte, NC)

ANSWER 1:
It’s a style popularized or started by rapper LLCoolJ. It’s like the ’50s style of “wearing” a pack of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve of a t-shirt. The kids think it’s cool, but we adults just shake our heads in bemusement.
POSTED AUG. 20, 1998
Diane, 44, African American, Durham, NC

FURTHER NOTICE:
This style was popularized by LLCoolJ,and it has become a fashion statement for most young boys irrespective of race – I have seen a lot of Hispanics, white, Asian and black boys with one leg of their pants rolled up.
POSTED AUG. 25, 1998
Ify <ifebigh77@hotmail.com>, Miami, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
It depends on who is wearing their pants like this and what part of the country they are in. This “style” is not limited to black people. I have seen a few white guys with it, too. In some areas, a rolled-up pant leg means you have something to sell, usually drugs.
POSTED SEPT.19, 1998
A.D., 20, white female, Boston , MA
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THE QUESTION:
R421: What is the preferred term for American Indians? Indian? American Indian? Native American? Or is the tribal name preferred?
POSTED AUG. 18, 1998
Tim <timwise@dgs.net>, Arlington, VA

ANSWER 1:
I asked my wife, who is a full-blooded Navajo, and she prefers Native American.
POSTED SEPT. 19, 1998
K.R., 51, black male, Oxnard, CA

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