Race/Ethnicity
Questions 431-440
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THE
QUESTION:
R440: Many times when I am watching television, I notice that
a good number of African-American females' names begin with "La,"
such as Latonya or Latoya. Is there something in family heritage that
accounts for using that prefix?
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Matt D., 15, white
<bluefan@hotmail.com>,
Novi, MI
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THE QUESTION:
R439: I've noticed that many of the Hispanic mothers/nannies
at our local playgrounds address their children as "mama," as in
"Come here and drink your juice, mama." It's used as a term of
endearment, the way I might say "sweetie" or "honey." But doesn't
"mama" mean "mother" in Spanish, as it does in English? If so, it
seems a strange thing to call a child. I'm curious if the word has a
special cultural significance. Or, am I just misunderstanding what
they're saying, and it's a word that sounds like "mama" but
isn't?
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Cynthia, 37, white mother of two preschoolers, Pasadena , CA
ANSWER 1:
You're right. You have indeed heard mothers call their
little girls "mama" and, if you listen closely, their little boys
"papa." It's nothing more than a term of endearment. There are a
number of variations: "mami" and "papi" or "mamita" and "papito"
(diminutive). They are the same words you might use when addressing
your parents, but they are interchangeably used for children (or
spouses!) with great affection.
POSTED SEPT. 21, 1998
N., 33, Cuban-American female, Miami, FL
FURTHER NOTICE:
My father used to call me "mamas" when I was younger. I
used to wonder why he would call me this if I were not his mother.
Now I call my own daughter "mamas" as a term of endearment. I believe
it is a term passed on to generations.
POSTED OCT. 6, 1998
Juliet M. 25, Hispanic female
<marxarchive@hotmail.com>,
San Antonio, TX
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THE QUESTION:
R438: Why is it that many Indian people, both men and women,
prefer to dress in the clothing of their traditional, historical
culture? For example, Indian men seem to prefer not to have a necktie
on when dressed, and Indian women prefer to dress in many forms of
Sari, which are very beautiful. Is there a hidden meaning for
that?
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Sue, Bangkok, Thailand
ANSWER 1:
I'm white but asked this same question of an Indonesian
friend. She responded: "In my country this is the way everyone
dressed. In your country you have blue jeans, mini-dresse, etc. I
wear the clothing of my country because it is what I am used to and
comfortable in. If you went to my country, wouldn't you still wear
the clothes you wore in your country? Why should I be any different?"
I hope this little incident helps you a little.
POSTED SEPT. 10, 1998
Regina W.
<reginak@clt-online.com>,
Charlotte, NC
FURTHER NOTICE:
I had a wonderful learning experience related to this. I became
friendly with a waiter at an Indian restaurant that I frequented. He
was a Sikh, and when I expressed interest in his culture, he was very
willing to share some fascinating information. On one occasion, I
asked what was the significance of the two colors of cloth he used on
his head wrap. He replied quite seriously that he chose the colors
based on the colors of the shirt slacks he planned to wear that day!
I had a good laugh, explaining to him that I had expected some
religious or cultural explanation for the choice of colors.
POSTED SEPT. 14, 1998
Darbma, white/Northern European
<darbymom@hotmail.com>,
New York , NY
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
India has a very old culture, one of the oldest in the world, and
Indians are very proud of their heritage. I think it's the only
country in the world where people wear their national costume to
work, everyday! Not only that, India has also very highly developed
music and dance forms, which precede most of that of the West.
Unfortunately,the media in the West chooses only to focus on the
poverty of India, and while that is true, is not the only truth. I am
an Indian woman living in the United States, and though not a typical
Indian (whatever that means) am terribly proud of being so. However,
I do not wear Indian clothes to work every day. I would hate to be
stared at as though I were an alien, but when in India, or at an
Indian wedding, I delight in wearing Indian outfits.
POSTED MARCH 30, 1999
Vinita, Asian Indian, female
<vinita@juno.com>, Garden
City , NY
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THE
QUESTION:
R437a: I'm white and two of my co-workers who are black took
me to a restaurant where they were the only blacks there. Later, I
asked them if they noticed that type of situation when they go to
places, i.e. being the only blacks in the crowd. They told me they
don't usually notice that kind of thing unless it's brought to their
attention by a rude waiter/waitress or clerk. I wonder if this is
true among all blacks? When you go into an establishment where there
are primarily white people, do you notice this right off or just
don't think about it unless something happens where it's brought to
your attention?
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Mary, Asian
<maryb@lanminds.com>,
Oakland, CA
ANSWER 1:
I don't think about it because I'm expected to be in the
minority and just go with the flow.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
A.A.W., 42, black female
<ANABWI@aol.com>,
Plantation, FL
FURTHER NOTICE:
My tastes and diverse group of friends typically results
in me being the only black person (or one of a few) in the group. I
am aware of this when we frequent our haunts, but am completely
comfortable. Why? Partly because my mother made an effort to send me
to integrated schools and involve us in activities in which we
interacted with others who were different from ourselves, and I don't
mean along racial lines only. Additionally, I am constantly seeking
and am attracted to the different and exotic. In other words, I
consciously choose to experience things that appeal to me, and not
just what is familiar or typically associated with my culture. I
enjoy classical, jazz, new age music, particularly Celtic and
medieval arrangements. I am a vegetarian (no flesh or other animal
products). I wear locks (nothing dreadful about my hair). I am a
truth-seeker (believer in metaphysics). I write poetry and frequent
coffee houses. Though many blacks enjoy these activities or hobbies,
my experience/interactions often have been that I am a minority
within a minority.
POSTED SEPT. 4, 1998
Zawadi, 33, black female, Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Most blacks, especially middle class and upper class, grow
up with the ability to live in two worlds. We live in a black world,
among our own people. But because we live in a predominantly white
culture, watching predominantly white TV, reading predominantly
white-oriented (mainstream) newspapers, magazines, books, etc., we
have grown quite comfortable and at ease in all white envinronments,
frequently to the point of not noticing. You cannot truly relax,
interact and feel at ease if you always notice, because being the
only minority is too often the case. It's unwise to truly not
notice (reminders are sometimes cruel and often dangerous), but
that's another subject for another time.
POSTED SEPT. 4, 1998
Greg R. <IATKOP@AOL.COM>,
Atlanta, GA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I guess everyone is different. I always notice when I am
the only African-American/black person in a given situation. You
would think this would not be the case given that I am in a
profession where blacks are under-represented and the fact that I
attended majority white schools. Perhaps this has made the issue more
noticeable for me. Although I notice when I'm the only black person,
I don't leave or anything, I just always think to myself, "Where are
all the other black people?"
POSTED SEPT. 5, 1998
M.G. August, 33
<mgaugust@juno.com>,
West Palm Beach, FL
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THE QUESTION:
R437: Every day I notice that on the main drag of the South
bay of California, a street called El Camino, particularly along a
block in Mountain View, there are always around 50 to 100 Latinos
standing around early in the morning. I am curious what they are
waiting for. I have observed that they are not waiting for a bus. Are
they waiting for some sort of work truck that comes by and picks them
up? Also, they will often be standing there for hours. I arrive at my
bus stop between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and this same large group of
Latinos is always there, waiting for something. I prefer this be
answerd by someone who lives in the area mentioned.
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
D.M., 26, white male
<lnx@netcom.com>, Santa
Clara, CA
ANSWER 1:
I lived in Marin County for many years, and there was a
similar situation in San Rafael. These men are waiting for "day
work." Construction foremen, gardening services, people with hauling
business, tree trimmers, etc., will come by their if they don't have
a big enough crew for the day's job and pick up as many men as they
need. These men get paid by the hour, and there is no certainty of
getting work on any particular day. According to my friend who's a
roofer, they use these men for the hardest, dirtiest work,and usually
they find that the men are illegal immigrants and thus cannot get
regular jobs in this country. In San Rafael's Canal District, there
will sometimes be as many as 20 immigrants living in one two-bedroom
apartment, none of whom have a steady job, but the situation is still
better than it would have been for them in their own country.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Joan, San Francisco, CA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I know the area you are referring to (El Camino and San
Antonio.) You are correct that these men are waiting for work, but
there is not a standard work truck that picks them up. They are
waiting for any work, and people who need workers stop by and
(for example) say, "I need five men to help me move - do any of you
speak English?" and then they raise their hands and you tell them
what you are willing to pay and they climb into your vehicle and you
take them to your house, and drop them off when the work is
completed. The benefit: You get cheap labor and they get cash wages
without having to fill out forms, get a social security number,
report the wages, etc.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Mimi, 37, African American,
<jaejah@juno.com>, Mt.
View, CA
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THE QUESTION:
R436: I have a friend who is a vegetarian by choice. She
enjoys alternative folk and new age music. She also is interested in
a more metaphysical approach to her life and lifestyle. Incidentally,
my friend is black/African American. So much for sterotypes. I'd like
to hear from other African Americans out there with such
interests.
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Daquiri, female, Detroit, MI
ANSWER 1:
I'm African American, female, feminist, a part-time Goth
(don't ask), a Witch, like all kinds of music, especially
alternative, folk or new age, and like to dye my hair bright colors,
etc. I've gotten a lot of flak from people about my interests and
activities, but these are things I find fun and interesting. It is a
comfort, however, to know there are other African Americans who share
my interests.
POSTED SEPT. 9, 1998
A. Browne, African-American female
<abrowne@sophia.smith.edu>,
Northampton, MA
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THE QUESTION:
R435: What is the origin and significance in Hispanic culture
of grieving (weeping) until one passes out after the death of a loved
one? This was widespread after the recent death of a popular local
girl.
POSTED AUG. 28, 1998
J. Cook, 43, white
<evll92a@prodigy.com>,
Fillmore, CA
ANSWER 1:
Wow! Passing out. Never seen that before. This girl must
have been truly loved and the people around her very emotional, but I
think to relate this event to "Hispanic culture" is generalizing a
bit too much. It could probably be a custom in a certain region of
Mexico, for example, but I don't think so. What if you don't want to
cry anymore? Should you keep going till you pass out, to stick with
tradition? Hermanos Mexicanos, conocen algo de esto?
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
N. Agelvis, 29, Latino
<nelsoneas@hotmail.com>,
Caracas, Venezuela
FURTHER NOTICE:
I don't know the origin of weeping until you pass out at
funerals, but I saw it among my aunts when I was younger. I believe
some people are more emotional and not afraid to show their sorrow. A
family member has not died in recent years, so I don't know if these
women would react differently now that they are older.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Cindy R., 37, Chicana, Los Angeles, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
How do you pass out from crying? Is that medically
possible? I'm first generation Mexican, and this is the first time
I've heard of this. I agree with the other answer - that this must be
from a certain part of Mexico.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Al M., 47, Mexican, Saudi Arabia
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
It is a very old Mexican tradition to weep at funerals. In
small towns it used to be common to hire "lloronas" (wailing or
weeping women). It is not only a reflection of emotions but a very
deep root custom in smaller communities.
POSTED SEPT. 4, 1998
Guillermo, 40, Mexican, Monterrey, CA
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THE QUESTION:
R434: I recently earned a teaching "Clear" credential and the
cross-cultural awareness certificate (CLAD) for the state of
California. I have been unable to get anyone to answer this question:
Why do Mexicans lower their cars in a low-rider fashion?
POSTED AUG. 28, 1998
A. Gott, 49, white male
<AVGott@aol.com>, Simi
Valley, CA
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THE QUESTION:
R433: Do African Americans and other minority groups feel more
comfortable in online chat groups and websites that identify with
their ethnic background than other online places? If so, do you think
people are still making judgments even though they can't "see"
you?
POSTED AUG. 27, 1998
Justin M., 20, Jewish
<justin.mandel@dartmouth.edu>,
Newport Beach, CA
ANSWER 1:
I think it's much simpler than that. Chat rooms are
generally for relaxing. After a stressful day of speaking standard
English and interacting with the majority population at work, it is
much more relaxing and certainly less stressful to converse with
other blacks. There is also the matter of sex and flirting, which is
prevelant in many chat rooms. It is also more entertaining to flirt
with a person of the opposite sex and know they won't suddenly become
distant upon finding that you are a different race.
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
S. Finley, black male
<sfinley@earthlink.net>,
Naperville, IL
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THE QUESTION:
R432: Recently I became a step-grandma to a darling little
boy. He is one quarter African American, one quarter Indian and half
Hungarian. His skin color is black. What should I put down as his
race when I am filling out forms that ask for that information?
POSTED AUG. 24, 1998
Linda W.
<wedel@lightspeed.net>,
McFarland, CA
ANSWER 1:
Since most race-related forms allow for only once choice,
the most logical choice may be "other." I can relate to how you
ponder this situation because I am Creole, a mixture of African
American, French and Spanish. I am not "bi-racial," as both of my
parents are Creole and they are both descended from a long line of
Creoles. So the age-old question "are you black or white?" boils down
to which culture you most closely identify with. The Creoles
(historically) have never been fair enough to be categorized as
Caucasian, and in Louisiana (where a large percentage of us are from)
we are considered black - even the fair-skinned. While most of us
identify more closely with the African-American community, we cannot
ignore the fact that we also have roots in the European regions and
can trace our ancestry back to the French who (settled? conquered?)
Louisiana. So we could honestly check both black and white on the
forms and puzzle the statisticians, or we could choose "other," as we
are also a distinct race, according to Webster's definition. I am
interested in seeing/hearing responses from others of mixed race.
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Mimi, Creole
<jaejah@juno.com>, Mt.
View, CA
FURTHER NOTICE:
Human.
POSTED SEPT. 19, 1998
N. Ben-Ari
<benari-r@worldnet.att.com>,
Jacksonville, Fl
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I used Native American for my kids, because of higher
educational concerns. Our children will always get a free education
because they are registered Navajo Indians. The U.S. Government
(through various treaties) has promised Indians a free education,
free medical care and free food and clothing. Take advantage of these
opportunities, they owe it to the Indians. As an example: We can
afford to send them to any school we desire, financially, but we
chose to petition the Tribe for educational funds for private school.
We received it under the educational grants of the U.S. Government
for Native Americans.
POSTED SEPT. 19, 1998
K.R., 51, black male, married to Native American, Oxnard, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I agree with Mimi. For now, I'd probably check "other."
When he grows up, he can change that if he identifies more with one
specific group. I think this whole issue of choosing race has become
pretty confusing. I'm an American because I was lucky to have been
born here. My parents are Cuban, and I'm very proud of that heritage.
Often, questionnaires make me choose between "white" and "Hispanic."
I'm both. I don't think it's often understood that Cubans come in
black and white. Didn't it used to be that there were three races?
Technically speaking, "caucasoid," "negroid" and "mongoloid" - white,
black and yellow? Is that not the case anymore? Why isn't there a
differenitiation between "race" and "ethnicity"? I once discussed
this with a black friend, and he thought I was being a "sell-out" if
I checked "white," but to me, "white" is my race (the color of my
skin) and "Hispanic" is my culture.
POSTED SEPT. 23, 1998
Natalia, 33, Cuban-American female, Miami, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Your racial identity is actually based on how you are
perceived in your community. Like it or not, you are what people
think you are unless you are willing to wear a sign spelling out what
you hope they will let you pass for.
POSTED NOV. 13, 1998
Gerry H., Washington D.C.
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THE QUESTION:
R431: Is there a linguistic equivalent or cultural imperative
in Chinese that requires that a response to a posed question begin
with the phrase "I think..."? If an English-speaking person were
translating his or her response into Chinese, what phrase would be
needed so as to be "culturally" and "linguistically" correct?
POSTED AUG. 21, 1998
Rick
<rkoven@hotmail.com>,
King of Prussia, PA
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