Interracial marriage in black and white

Hi! Here I am keeping up with more posts. Enjoy!

Recently, the Pew Research Center published a study which provided the news media a perfect source for Valentine's week. You probably got to see a good share of articles and TV news regarding the interracial marriages topic. They all displayed happy couples enjoying the fact that 43% of Americans are embracing interracial relationships. Curiously, the couples presented to portray or give testimony about the topic were black and white. Seriously, what's with the black and white view still to this day? 

If you like, click the link above, for a simple recap of the Pew report. The chart clearly indicates that Asians take the lead with the highest percentage. However, the media makes it all about two races only. Some even dusted off the historical story of Richard & Mildred Loving. One news after another I wondered, why is it so hard to present the wider range? It's unbelievable how a broad term such as "interracial" can be reduced and stereotyped to this point. Unless the purpose was to also take advantage of the Black History month, then it makes top-story sense. Nonetheless, all the news embodied interracial marriages the same way. Or should I say, continue to embody it.

Here's another example: this article from the Huffington Post which really stood out for me. The author briefly describes her eye opening experience with her white male friends. Apparently, she was firm in her belief (even as an adult) that black men and women should not "marry out". But she admits never considering to marry a white man. Doesn't even bother adding , the "other" option. And it takes her white male friends to enlightened her from her "racially inconsistent thinking" ... or just plain old discrimination.

I was taken aback that she is a diversity solutions thought leader. The article gave me fthe impression she is trying to diversify from the negative side of the racial subject. I admit she does tone it down a little in her closing. But, (excuse me for still being skeptical) this came out just an ethnocentric statement: "one of the true beauties of being an American". Can't imagine her giving a lecture about diversity in Europe or Asia.

Sense of unity more than awareness.

Fortunately, there are institutions and educational entities that focus less in our differences. Bringing us together with our similarities, instilling a sense of unity more than awareness. Besides, there's still so much more about our common ancestry that keeps surfacing. Each discovery keeps confirming that we all come from the same place. We have available plenty of scientific facts to instill a real sense of unity. If you ever witness or sense any racial intolerance, feel free to make a kind reminder: *ahem* "did you already forget about our great-great-Australopithecus sediba, from 6 million years ago?"

Well, I just hope that the next publication of the Pew Research Center report getting the media's attention will be  presented with a more diverse image. A true representation of our diverse society.

¡Todo un mes!

0 entradas = suicidio cybernético

Según me indica mi hijo, acabo de cometer suicidio cibernético al estar alejada de mi blog por un mes. El dice que se supone que comente al menos 3 veces por semana. Mis disculpas por la ausencia. Pero el recuento de este mes me va a proveer para mas entradas. Voy a justificar mi ausencia con el contenido.

Para empezar, asistí a la feria asiática en San Antonio. Un verdadero despliegue de países asiáticos. Lamento decir que Corea no estuvo presente (me perdí de probar el kimchi este año, ¡aigoooo!). Ya pasado el mediodía el lugar estaba abarrotado. Un buen evento, pero me pareció muy americanizado. De hecho, escuché a una señora china, decirle a una abuelita china (con un precioso bebé chinito en brazos): “Esto es arroz chino-americano”. Aprovechando la orejita culinaria, me fui de sushi. Además...¿cuán americanizado podía estar el pescado crudo?, ¿eh? 


Reconozco que tenía otras expectativas, al menos no era de asistir a otro festival bajo estándares americanos. Observación que hago con mucho pesar. Ya que el entusiasmo y afán de trabajo de los organizadores, las asociaciones y entidades cívicas era admirable. Pues, y para ser justa con ellos, probablemente ni siquiera exista un festival puramente autóctono. Es mas, la parada puertorriqueña no es exactamente un desfile de nuestras tradiciones (el que quiera argumentar, ¡adelante!). De todas maneras la exhibición floral de Ikebana; los bailes tradicionales y la música brindaron un buen entretenimiento. Vuelvo el año entrante. 

Mas tiempo para el blog, leer y escribir. 

Otro asunto que me tuvo ocupada fue el semestre de estudios. Una de la asignaturas me hizo reflexionar. Terminé cambiándo mi concentración (¡otra vez!). Y aprendí mi lección, una que me costo un poco de $, pero me reafirmó en mis planes originales. Ahora tengo dos clases menos, y mas tiempo para hacer entradas al blog, leer y escribir.

A lo que me trae a uno de mis mayores logros. A fines de enero terminé de escribir una pequeña historia. La misma me tomó un poco mas de año. Tardé bastante en escribirla por toda la mierda de mi vida acumulada en el subconciente. Esta emergió agarrada como parásito del flujo de creatividad. Debo de admitir que la experiencia fue única. Un extraño antagonismo: recibir y/o rechazar ideas; revivir buenas y malas experiencias; recordar la gente buena y la execrable... ¡rayos!, hasta pesadillas me dieron. Y por fin, ¡la terminé! Esta por ser revisada por unos profesores del colegio. Espero que tenga algún valor literario.

Por otro lado, me sorprendió ver suceder algo antes de lo imaginado. Una pequeña llamita de amor se incendió en mi grupo FusionlatinasiaTX del otro site (no puedo dar detmas)... ¡tan lindos! ¿Recuerdan la misión de conseguir un novio asiático para mi lectora? Pues, ¡misión cumplida! Ella conoció una persona especial, y están... bueno, ahí estan. Se haga su relación oficial en Facebook o no, es una bonita experiencia. Ya lo ven, el testimonio en Fusionlatinasia. Para las latinas que desean conseguirse un novio asiático, ¿vieron que se puede? 

Sin embargo, recomiendo que primero sean honestas consigo mismas y reconozcan los límites de aceptación antes que nada. Las relaciones a distancia requieren de mucho compromiso, trabajo y honestidad. Si, la honestidad cibernética existe, todo depende de cuán sólida desean que sea la relación.

No obstante, para mi, lo mejor en este mes fue hacer nuevas amistades. ¡Sip!, amigos asiáticos. Debo de agradecerle un poco al site de citas (dating site) que desacredité hace unos meses. Aunque no del todo, ya que requirió de un minucioso escogido de entre todos los mensajes indeseados (mejor dicho bazofia) que se prestan en hacer.

Bueno, los presento. Comenzando con el taiwanés criado en E.E.U.U. Le fascina la cultura latina. Es guitarrista que ama el flamenco. Baila salsa y bachata. Además es pintor, tiene una colección de hermosos cuadros con una impresionante influencia latina. Espero que pronto nos traiga sus muestras aquí. Lo mas que aprecio es la paciencia que tiene con mi fastidioso fisgoneo, además que apoya mis intentos literarios.

Y también, ¡por fin logré conocer a dos coreanos! El primero, maestro. Se sorprendió de saber que estoy aprendiendo su lenguaje y cultura. Me ofreció su ayuda para continuar mi encomienda. El segundo es criado en América Latina. Habla con fluidez en coreano, inglés y español, es super simpático. ¡Y vean que casualidad!: tiene una página en Facebook para todas las mujeres del mundo que deseen conocer coreanos. 


Cuando hablamos, noto que la situación de los coreanos es similar a la del amigo de Sinoplaybook. Me reveló “el problema es q los coreanos piensan q nadie esta interesados en nosotros... y yo estoy tratando de hacerlos saber pero q estan perdidos....y de los coreanos q viven en USA... piensan Latinas = Mexicanas... no conocen la existencia de otras latinas...” O sea que falta mucho por hacer. Mientras tanto, visiten su página, está creciendo rápidamente: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kconexion/. 

Y la amistad mas reciente con un filipino muy galante que comparte interesantes datos culturales y frases en su idioma de tagalog. ¡Muy educativo!

En fin. Comparando esta entrada con las anteriores se puede ver el progreso. Fue un mes muy interesante, y continúa prosperando. Me siento muy afortunada de poder explorar el elemento social de otros países, y disfruto cada minuto de la interacción cultural.

PS: esa es mi foto junto a mis fieles computadoras, la pila de libros, y la foto de mis hijos. Estoy evitando infracciones de derechos de autor de fotos ajenas.

A whole month!

0 posts = blogging suicide

According to my son, I've just committed blogging suicide: no posts during a whole month. He told me it should be at least 3 times a week. Well, I apologize. But now I'll be able to blog more thanks to all that happened during that month. So, let's say I was for the sake of context, ok?

First, I attended the San Antonio Asian festival. An impressive display of Asian countries. Sadly, Korea was not present, so no kimchi tasting this year, aigoo! By mid afternoon the place was totally full! But for me, it seemed too Americanized. I overheard a Chinese lady say to a Chinese grandma (cradling the cutest Chinese baby): "This is American-Chinese rice". So, I picked up the hint and chose sushi rolls. Come on, how much can raw fish be Americanized???  My expectations were different, and not to walk into yet another festival with American standards. This I say with a heavy heart because all the Asian associations and organization members worked amazingly hard to deliver a great event. And to be fair, there's probably no even such thing as an authentic festival in the US. I mean, it's not like the Puerto Rican parade is a true display of our traditions, not even close! (anybody wants to argue this?, bring it!) Anyway, the Ikebana exhibition; the traditional dances and music were very fun. Most definitely I'll be there next year.

Another thing I dealt was school during this semester. There was one class that made me look closer at my degree. Ended up changing my concentration (again!). And, steering away my original plan cost some $, but lesson learned: I will stick to my initial decisions. So with two classes out, there's more time to blog, read, and write.

More time to blog, read and write...

And by the end of January: my biggest accomplishment! Done with my very own piece of fiction. Which took more than a year to create. Mainly because of all the shit accumulated in my subconscious throughout my life. It automatically emerged by clinging on to the creativity as it flowed out. Must admit: it was a unique experience... an antagonistic desire of embracing and/or pushing away ideas: good and bad experiences; good and NASTY people, ...uuuggh! there were even episodes of nightmares. But, gladly, it's done, and on the way to be reviewed by some of the college professors. I'm just hoping it has some literary value.

Also, something happened sooner than expected. A little flame ignited in a Fusionlatinasia group of another site (can't give more details). Soooo cute! Remember the quest to find my Latina reader an Asian boyfriend? Well, mission accomplished! She met someone special, and they're, well.... getting there. Let's wait to see how it goes. Regardless if they get Facebook official or not, it sure is a nice experience. You see! This is a message to all those Latinas longing for Asians, here's our success story. Its' doable. But be aware: first be true to yourself because long distance relationships take a lot of work, commitment and honesty. Yes!, virtual honesty does exists.
Note to my dear reader: remember our exclusivity clause? Fusionlatinasia has the photo and story exclusive, ok? *smile*

Now, the best thing for me was making new friends. Yep! Asian friends. I must admit the dating site I was trashing a few months ago helped. But not to give it full credit either, I found these gems after weeding out all the "unsolicited". -between us, creepy- messages.

Let me start with the Taiwanese born. He breathes Latin culture, loves flamenco music, dances Salsa and Bachata!!!, and creates lovely Latin-influenced paintings. I'm looking forward to see some posted here. But most of all, I appreciate his patience towards my annoying nosiness, and how supportive he is of my writing venture.

And finally, got to meet two Koreans. One is amazed that I'm into Korean language, and offered his help (which I definitely need!) The other was raised in Latin America. He speaks Spanish, English and Korean fluently, and is mega friendly. Plus, get this!: created a FB page for all the women in the world that want to meet Korean men. When we chatted he stated the same as my Sinoplaybook friend: Koreans are very skeptical that women are interested in them, "and those living in the US think of Latinas=Mexicans, they aren't aware of the diversity". Obviously, there's still a lot of work here. In the meantime, check it out, there are plenty joining in:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/kconexion/.

The most recent friendship is with a very gallant Filipino that shares cultural details and even teaches me words in Tagalog. Very enriching!

So there it is. Comparing this post with previous ones, there's a lot of progress. It was a very interesting month, and it continues to grow, I feel very lucky, and enjoy every minute of it!

PS: that's a picture of me with my faithful pc's, piles of books, and my kids pic! Want to keep safe from any copyright infringement.