Impatient and Anxious

The older we get, the more impatient and anxious we become because there is not that much time left to see changes. I want to see more than what I've seen. I want to see some real changes. I want to see a society where I don't have to explain, argue, plead or insist. I want to see a society that will be to me what I want it to be, because I am an American, another human being, and color should not matter. I think the more knowledge and education or history you have, the more difficult it is not to express despair, not to express yourself intemperately. That's difficult and I struggle with it.

This is what John Hope Franklin said in an interview called "Confronting History II" with Dick Gordon on "The Story" http://thestory.org/ ,. In the interview, the 92 year old writer and historian tells stories about his growing up in racist United States. He talks about what has and what has not changed.

As I listen to this, I feel that racism still shows its ugly head, disguised as concern about illegal immigration and resulting in the loss of jobs by the new immigrants.

I am not saying that illegal immigration is right or wrong. I am concerned about how the human being, the soul, is being treated by white America, by the Americans whose grandparents or great grandparents were immigrants.

This "Story" is still being written today all across the country, in our restaurants, clothing stores, schools, service clubs, all over the sector. I am hearing stories of how badly the immigrants are being treated because of not being able to speak perfect English or any English at all.

I believe it is a small minority who feels this way but they are becoming very vocal. I believe we all have to be aware, to be educated about the differences in cultures, to be kind to everyone, lend a helping hand when needed and smile.

Immigrants are not only mistreated but ignored. To be ignored is equally as bad as being mistreated. We have to take a chance and speak up for anyone being mistreated or abused.

I realize while so active in the Faribault Diversity Coalition for 7 years that I am more aware of the good and bad happening to our new immigrant friends. I also realize that if we ignore each other, tensions will rise with mistrust on all sides.

These thoughts came to me after hearing this story and being interviewed by two organizations this past week. I realized that the time is now to make this nation a better place to live. As I get older, I too, am becoming more impatient and anxious.

Have a gentle day, Milo

P.S.

As I was going down to work after Sunday's snowstorm to snowblow the sidewalk, I got stuck in the plowed snow. As I finally gave up rocking the truck back and forth, I was about to get out and in front of the truck was an Hispanic Angel. He pushed the truck as I rocked it back and forth and got free.

I thanked the smiling man as he crossed the street to get back in his warm car, heading in the opposite direction. He could have gone by like dozens of other cars did, but stopped.

After I finished and was heading home, I ran across 6 Somalians standing around a car stuck in the snow down the street. So, paying it forward, I stopped to pull them out with my tow rope and a guy on a bobcat cleaning the sidewalk down the street came up and pushed and they were free. They were as grateful as I was a few minutes before.

In a few minutes a Norwegian, Latino and 6 Somalians bonded and made this world a little better place.

Seeking Space for Food/Furniture Project

The Faribault Diversity Coalition is looking for a space where a new food and furniture project can be located. Due to funding limitations, an in-kind contribution of the space or a reduced-rent agreement would be most appreciated.

Limited income leaves some immigrant and established members of the community with periodic food or household needs that are not completely met through current community programs or family income. The project would seek to engage participants in cooperative efforts to meet those needs through this self-help program. Participants work together to produce food through community gardens; provide volunteer hours to assist in ordering, purchasing, and distributing food; and assist in the moving, repair or construction of furniture for re-sale. Participants will share in project organization and decision-making, as they each contribute “sweat equity” to the project according to their capacity.

Other community volunteers are also sought to teach furniture repair, upholstery, cabinetry or furniture building skills; to share in community gardening; or to assist in other ways in the project. Contact the Welcome Center, 333-5036, for more info.

Seeking Community Gardening Plots

The Faribault Diversity Coalition is seeking plots that could be used this summer in a community gardening project. The plots would be made available to families or individuals who wish to grow vegetables for their own use or to share with others in the community. Both immigrant and established families are welcome to participate. It is also hoped that working side by side will provide a chance for people to get to know one another and build a closer community.

Anyone who is aware of possible garden plots is asked to contact the Welcome Center, 333-5036.

Fostering and Sustaining A Network of Diversity Coalitions in Rural Minnesota.

Katherine Fennelly
Professor of Public Affairs
Humphrey Institute
University of Minnesota

Although the absolute number of immigrants and the percent of foreign-born in Minnesota (5 percent) are quite low relative to many other states, the rate of increase in the foreign-born population from 1990 to 2000 was among the highest in the country, leading one anti-immigration organization to call Minnesota a ‘new Ellis Island’. Over half of the foreign-born population entered the state between 1990 and 2000, and between the last two censuses this number increased by 138 percent, compared to 57 percent nation-wide. Rates of increase and overall percentages of foreign-born residents are particularly high in cities and towns with meat processing businesses—core industries in many non-metro communities that rely upon a young, foreign-born labor force that is not available locally. To cite two examples, immigrants comprised 16% of the population of Worthington in 2000, and 21% of the population of Pelican Rapids (homes to West Central Turkeys and Swift Companies respectively.) When one adds the children of immigrants to these numbers, the figures are even more striking. In Worthington, for example, over 60 languages are spoken in the public schools, and in 2005 42% of Worthington public school enrollment was composed of ‘protected’ students.

In spite of the fact that foreign-born workers have contributed substantially to economic development in non-metro communities and their children have slowed or reversed declining school enrollments, negative attitudes toward immigrants are particularly strong in rural areas, both nationally and in Minnesota (see Fennelly and Federico paper on this topic, 2007; and the Minnesota Community Survey, 2004). To counter this sentiment, a number of communities have spawned diversity coalitions or welcome centers to serve foreign-born residents (2). A few examples of these organizations include the Migrant Council of Plainview, the Worthington Collaborative, the Welcome Center of Austin, and the Faribault Diversity Coalition.

Community-based ‘diversity coalitions’ (1) have the potential to help facilitate the integration of immigrants and decrease xenophobia on the part of US-born residents in communities that are rapidly diversifying. Yet, almost nothing is known about their locations, membership, goals or successes. We are in the midst of a research project (3) that entails conducting a census of ‘diversity coalitions’ in rural and suburban Minnesota communities and studying these organizations to document their implicit and explicit objectives and accomplishments. Particular attention is being paid to the organizations’ levels of inclusivity in goal-setting, governance and membership, and the extent to which they are advocating for immigrant rights, and attempting to reduce xenophobia among US-born residents, rather than merely perpetuating the status quo. The project will culminate with a networking conference to be held at Neighborhood House in St. Paul on April 26, 2007, at which organizations can share goals, tactics and successes. The conference and the research should stimulate communities to critically examine the makeup, power structures, purposes and expected outcomes of diversity coalitions, as well as to promote regional collaborations and communication among them. Published papers from the study will be disseminated broadly to inform immigration researchers, foundations, community activists and policymakers in other states as well.

1. ‘minority’ students; note that these include both US- and foreign-born students.
2. these residents are sometimes called ‘newcomers’ although they may have been in the community for many years

3. supported by funds from my Fesler-Lampert Chair and from the Otto Bremer foundation

Welcome Center Outreach Efforts Increase

Welcome Center Outreach Efforts Increase

Meet Hashi Geedi and Lisvel Valerio, two new outreach workers who will assist with the Healthy Together and Immigrant Empowerment Projects of the Diversity Coalition.
• Hashi has worked with the Somali Community Resettlement Service in the Welcome Center and is chair of its Faribault Board. Hashi has a good knowledge of the Somali community here and will work to invite participation and engagement of Somali residents in our various projects.
• Lisvel moved to Faribault from Austin, where she had coordinated their Welcome Center’s youth program. She will be doing outreach in the Latino community to listen to concerns and invite residents to take an active role in the community dialogues and community-building projects.
We hope that their efforts will help people see the Welcome Center as a place where their gifts and voice are welcomed, and where they can be part of the efforts to build a strong, and united, multicultural community.

Healthy Together and Immigrant Empowerment Projects Underway

New grant funding from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Foldcraft foundations has strengthened the Diversity Coalition’s capacity to work toward community unity. The projects dovetail well to promote cross-cultural exchange that will lead to greater inclusiveness and integration.

The projects provide a broad variety of activities that promote dialogue and interaction. All persons interested in working together for greater understanding and an improved quality of life for all are invited to join us.

• Self-help “Food for All” Initiative: Working through community gardening and cooperative efforts, we will work together to increase the availability of affordable, culturally appropriate food to families of low-income and other community partners.
• Cultural Exchange Group: Through the sharing of cultural traditional art, handiwork, and cooking, immigrant and established residents will gain insight into one another’s cultures and perhaps form new friendships…
• Cross-Cultural Group Dialogues (March 2007): During the spring and fall, small groups representative of community diversity will be formed to converse about various themes. The sharing of experiences and perspectives will be enriching for all.
• International Festival (Sept. 1, 2007): An international market, music, art, activities and exhibitions will celebrate the beautiful diversity of Faribault.
• Leadership Development: We all need to grow. We will bring in immigrant resources to provide immigrant residents the opportunity to reflect on and further develop their leadership gifts. (More later)
• Summer Youth Walk: A several day cross-cultural experience designed for youth from Faribault’s different cultural communities, to share time, conversation, and fun that will help participants gain deeper understanding of one another.
• Skill Training: Cross-cultural mentoring and training opportunities will help community members learn skills for construction, home maintenance, or other life skills.

Join us! We need planners, group participants, vendors, musicians, artists, gardeners, people young and old, who want to be part of this community initiative. WE NEED YOU for the exchange to happen! Please call us at 507-333-5036 and speak to Bob, Hashi, or Lisvel about how you can be part of these activities.



When Africa Meets Faribault…
A Conversation about Culture and Traditions
Presented by Professor Joseph Mbele, St. Olaf College
Saturday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Buckham Memorial Library, Great Hall (2nd Floor, south entrance)
(A small lunch will be provided—suggested donation for food: $2/person)
Please join us to hear a wonderful presentation about differing perspectives when Africa and the U.S. meet.

Chickens In The Bus.......

Submitted by Joseph L Mbele



Chickens in the bus? Yes, in rural Africa, you might find chickens in the bus. Is that funny? Perhaps. Is it embarrassing? I don't think so. In my book Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences, I tell Americans that if they visit my village, they will be well received. When they leave, they will get a live chicken, a very significant gift for a guest. That is part of our culture. You go into the bus with your live chicken under your arm. I know Americans find this funny, and many Africans find it embarrassing. However, I talk about such things with confidence, knowing that the Africans are not dumb.

There is nothing wrong with carrying chickens in the bus. I tell Africans and Americans that I often see Americans carrying dogs in their cars. The Americans are comfortable with that. I have not seen them trying to explain their practices to the Africans. So, why are some Africans embarrassed to acknowledge that Africans carry chickens in the bus?

Such embarrassment is a result and a sign of colonial and neo-colonial miseducation, which gave the Africans the notion that African ways are backward and European or Western ways are the best, Consequently, many Africans will adopt anything Westerners do, believing that to imitate Western ways means to be modern. Some day, while embarrassed about chickens in the bus, these Africans will start carrying dogs in their cars.

There is nothing wrong in adopting foreign cultural practices, if there is equality and mutual respect among all involved. In the present world, however, some cultures see and present themselves as superior to others and have imposed their perspective on others. There is cultural imperialism and cultural dependency. As victims of this situation, the Africans need to take corrective measures, including thinking for themselves, cultivating self-respect, and respect for their culture.

Joseph L Mbele, who teaches in the English Department at St. Olaf College, is the author of the book, Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences; available online at: http://www.lulu.com/content/105001 or by sending an email to: info@africonexion.com

We will have more stories like this:

When Africa Meets Faribault…
A Conversation about Culture and Traditions
Presented by Professor Joseph Mbele, St. Olaf College
Saturday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Buckham Memorial Library, Great Hall (2nd Floor, south entrance)
(A small lunch will be provided—suggested donation for food: $2/person)
Please join us to hear a wonderful presentation about differing perspectives when Africa and the U.S. meet.