The Diversity Projekt
Empowerment for All People of Color
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Latina? Who, me?
I was recently invited to speak at at a conference to discuss the ways in which I live and “navigate multiple, sometimes conflicting identities” – as queer, femme, mixed race, transnational, and how said identities influence how I see “life on the margins.” The interesting part….I was invited as the “Latina” on the panel. I needed that part repeated. Me, as the resident Latina.Growing up I thought that I was half German half African American. The Latin aspect only emerged recently when I found my birth father and began talking with his older brother and my half brother. I can’t say that I even have a Latina-consciousness or that I have even really contemplated what that means to me.
I comprehend my gender identity – femme – so much better than my ethnic/cultural identity. I understand it and feel it in every fiber of my being. Being femme is just….its me, my center. I feel profoundly liberated by my femme-ness, precisely because it feels natural and innate without needing to be juxtaposed against something else – butch comes to mind or anything else along the spectrum for that matter. Now, the butch/femme community and the greater LGBT community…that is a bigger can of worms. Nevertheless on a micro level I make complete sense to myself, and really, that’s all that matters. Now, I should back up and qualify that – I didn’t always feel that way. There was a time when I didn’t posses the vocabulary or understanding that described me - ok I am going to leave that train of thought for another day. I digress. Point is I make sense of some of my various identities – femme – and others not so much.
Culturally, I understand and can process being mixed. The individual components rarely ever make sense though. And, honestly…I rarely ever force them to. I know where I belong in the mixed experience. In many ways “home” is far less complicated within the mixed community than any of the other communities that I am a part of.
So, what does it mean for me to be Latina?
Half the time I think that I know very little about what it means to be African American. I do understand the mixed experience – the hybridity. Since ethnic identities are societal/social constructs, can I really claim to be something that I know nothing about? Can culture really be reduced to cuisine, music, and cultural and artistic traditions mixed with a little geographic positioning? If that’s the case, anyone can learn to be any ethnicity of their choosing. I think not! I do think that ethnicity is something that begins as a communal experience that finds expression in individual identity. Hmm….I think I just figured out what I am going to talk about…..
I still have a bit of time to consider since the conference is in November. Nevertheless, I should probably get back to the program committee by mid-February since paper/panel submissions are due March 3rd.
Embracing Diversity or Eroticizing Women of Color
Miss Belgium
I don’t quite understand the world’s fascination with beauty pageants – parading human beings around like property. Nevertheless, I stumbled upon the intro to Miss Universe 2009 on Sunday night. After a glance of Zeynep Sever, Miss Belgium and was curious to see who was representing the various other European nations present. Zeynep is originally from Turkey. She and her mother moved to Belgium when she was 12. After winning the title, she quickly found herself in the middle of a charged racial debate over whether a non-Belgian (read, not white) should be allowed to win the crown and represent Belgium at the Miss Universe or Miss World competitions. Because…well, we all know all Belgians have blond hair, blue eyes and are white, right?
Miss Switzerland
This same debate was playing itself out in other European countries. I discussed the controversy in several blog posts when Whitney Toyloy was crowned Miss Switzerland last fall. Many protestors argued that she could not adequately represent Switzerland, because she wasn’t actually Swiss. (Age was another lesser factor compared to her ethnic makeup.) She is of American, Chinese, Panamanian and Swiss heritage. Some even called for pageant officials to rename the competition “Miss Multiculti” to more ‘accurately’ reflect who was wearing the crown. This rests on the assumption that to be Swiss is the white, a narrow and highly inaccurate reflection of the actual demographics of the Swiss population.
In the same month, Avalon-Chanel Weyzig, who is half Indonesian, won the Miss Netherlands competition. She received far less brumtata about her win. The fodder took on a different dimension. A great deal of it focused on how exotic she is, that being ethnic gives her a particular edge over other contestants. One reporter went so far as to say that her look catapulted her within the top five likely contenders to win the crown. The response? Avalon received an increase in hits on a pageant betting site.
Miss Netherlands
Fast forward to December 2009 – Chloe Mortaud is crowned Miss France. She is French and African American, Creole in fact. France has crowned several black and mixed women over the last 10 years or so. Yet, there was still debate around her win. Prior winners from former French colonies. The rucus surrounding the current Miss France stems from her American roots. Race seems to be somewhat secondary, although there several off colored racial remarks posted to various list servs.
Miss France
All of this intrigues me. I am most intrigued by the comments left on various blogs and sites that announced these contest winners. Many comments are blatantly racist and xenophobic. “Why are foreigners representing [fill in the blank].” “The contest should be renamed Miss Multikulti” “Foreigners are taking over. We will be a Muslim country before you know it.” “I am not being racist….just protecting my culture.” ….and so forth!
So, is the fact that more European countries are awarding their highest pageant titles to mixedchicks a sign of a shift in the tide? Or, is it just another way in which white Europeans are choosing to eroticize women of color?
The New Voter – MixedFolk Style
In mid-June of this year, SwirlPhilly hosted Philadelphia’s first official Loving Day events. We took a trip to the Franklin Institute for a viewin of their “RACE: Are we really so different?” exhibit. We also received permission to hold a discussion within the exhibit space. It was a great opportunity for us to share our impressions of the exhibit and how it fits into the legacy of Loving Day for us. Other topics included the fluidity and social construction of race and racial identities and the impact of being trans-national and mixed in U.S. society. We also talked about the marriage fight being waged across the country – same sex marriage. Swirl National released talking points just a few days before the event. Individual chapters have always bridged the gap between mixed and lgbt communities, and I am so very proud and excited that we are doing so in a more intentional way.
Another guest was the University of Maryland “News21 team” who were there to film our Loving Day events. They filmed our exhibit tour as well as the discussion. A few of us also had the opportunity to speak with them individual on the day of the event and a few weeks later. Chris and Nick came back to interview a few SwirlPhilly folk – three of us were chosen for the “Beyond Other” video segment.
WHO:
Chris Matthews, 25, is an M.J. candidate at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. He has interned at Fox News Channel, the Mount Hope Monitor, washingtonpost.com and Salon.com. He has reported on the U.S. Congress, Bronx politics and a hostage standoff. Matthews aspires to be a foreign correspondent and has traveled widely, including seven-month stints in Paris and Australia, where he was a semi-professional lacrosse player. He received his B.A. in political science from Kenyon College in Ohio. Born in Houston but raised in Manhattan, he is a passionate fan of the Astros, Rockets and the N.Y. football Giants. He can be reached at Christopher.Matthews@news21.com
WHAT:
A team of 12 journalism fellows at the University of Maryland, including two visiting fellows from the University of Missouri and University of Texas at Austin, spent the summer of 2009 taking an in-depth look at how demographic trends are influencing American voting behavior and attitudes as part of News21, a national journalism program. In addition to reporting compelling stories, their goal was to experiment with innovative ways of presenting them. They were guided and edited by a team of experienced faculty and consultants.
So, check out the site, the Mixed Race Section and interviews by several mixed folk on “Beyond Other”, including four Swirlies!
I would love to hear from other mixed people who were raised in a caucasian household or who are trans-national. How does that influence the way you construct your identity?
IdeaCamp Here I Come
After heading out to Philly Sips with ABC Pastor otherwise known as LT, I decided that I would make an appearance at IdeaCamp DC. IdeaCamp is one of several unconferences that have ignited throughout the country – a grass roots movement if you will. The DC edition will focus on cultivating relationships, providing technical assistance and developing partnerships within the social justice community.I don’t have any concrete expectations, but am looking forward to meeting some new people outside of my immediate network. Make some new connections, learn something new……perhaps even set the stage for some new collaborations.
I’ve connected with a few other queer Christians who are going, so I can’t wait to touch base Saturday night. Plans are to go out in DC. I am interested in forming more queer-positive spaces throughout Christendom.
Either way, it should be a good time. I am staying Fri – Sun, so if any of my DC folk want to get together for brunch on Sunday, let me know.
Loving Day
“We loved each other and got married,” she [Mildred Loving] told The Washington Evening Star in 1965, when the case was pending. “We are not marrying the state. The law should allow a person to marry anyone he wants.”
Mildred Loving fought for her right to marry someone of another race in 1960’s Virginia. More than 40 years later we are still fighting for true marriage equality.
Stay tuned…..recap of Philadelphia’s First SwirlPhilly Loving Day events to come!
Related Stories:
Matriarch of Inter-Racial Marriage Dies
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24468808/
The Huffington Post Interview with Loving Day Founder
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-gandin-le/loving-day-its-not-a-hall_b_51358.html
Village Voice Interview with Loving Day Founder
http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-06-06/people/love-actually
2006 Washington Post Article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201716.html
SwirlPhilly Hosting Loving Day Celebration @ The Franklin – RACE Exhibit Discussion
SwirlPhilly is celebrating Loving Day this year by hosting a trip to see the RACE exhibit at the Franklin. We will meet after the viewing to participate in a discussion on the exhibit and Loving Day. Community dinner to follow!
This is a family friendly event. Bring your children, spouses, parents, etc.!!
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009
Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: The Franklin
Street: 20th and Ben Franklin Blvd
City/Town: Philadelphia, PAPhone: 215.776.1162
Email: kathrini@swirlinc.orgRSVP requested as we are receiving group museum rates!
The Loving Day name comes from Loving v. Virginia (1967), the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage in the United States.
Loving Day’s mission is to fight racial prejudice through education and to build multicultural community. It is a global network of annual celebrations you can host or attend, as well as an educational campaign that you can be a part of every day. Swirl partners with Loving Day every year as it’s mission is central to our work. We are a national organization with 11 chapters focused on challenging society’s notions of race through community building, education and action.
Citizenship Weekend April 18, 2009
My mother and I are immigrants. We received our Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) upon first entering the U.S. When I say “received” I mean just that. It was simple, painless, inexpensive, and only minutely time consuming. My father (her husband) is a natural born U.S. citizen (and at the time U.S. Army soldier). We received our Green Card shortly before we moved to Selfridge, Michigan where my dad was station for a short period of time. The military filed the paperwork for us and I think even paid the fees. My mother naturalized a few years ago. She did not have to struggle to pay the USCIS fees (almost $800 at this point) and for the most part was merely a procedural process. I have chosen to re-new my Green Card until the German government allows me to maintain dual status. We are the lucky ones! My family’s situation isn’t typical. Most individuals face considerable struggles in their quest to immigrate to the U.S. The financial burden alone has become too great for many to overcome without assistance And then there are others who wont ever have the opportunity to become U.S. citizens.
April 18 and 19, 2009 is Citizenship Day, a national event where private immigration attorneys partner with local non profit organizations to provide free legal help in applying for citizenship to low income Legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders). This year we have added two new sites – Allentown and Carlisle (just past Harrisburg), in addition to Philadelphia. We know that citizenship has become increasingly expensive, and many families are struggling. As a result, this year in Pennsylvania we will be offering assistance to eligible individuals in applying for a fee waiver, in addition to application assistance. Details on sites, times and registering are below.
Pennsylvania Citizenship Weekend is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Nationalities Service Center (NSC), and HIAS and Council Migration Service. The Center for Immigrants’ Rights at Penn State Dickinson School of Law is co-sponsoring and hosting Citizenship Day in Carlisle. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown is co-sponsoring and hosting the Allentown location. A number of organizations are co-sponsoring the Philadelphia event, and are listed on the attached flyer.
Volunteer Attorneys Needed for Citizenship Weekend
Volunteer attorneys are still needed to help provide legal assistance to applicants. Additional training sessions in citizenship procedure and fee waivers will be held on Friday April 3rd in Philadelphia (12pm – 2pm) and Allentown (2pm – 4pm). Please contact Jamie Johns at hiascitizenship@gmail.com or (215) 832-0922 regarding the Philadelphia training. Please contact Jill Freeman at jfreeman@wsklawyers.com or at (267) 350-6600 regarding the Allentown training.
Allentown Community Training on Citizenship March 29th
In preparation for April, PICC is holding a community training in Allentown this weekend, on the citizenship process. This workshop will provide an overview of the citizenship process, but please note that we will not be able to provide help for individual cases. Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact Hillary Blecker, 215-832-0895 or picc.organizer@gmail.com
Community Training on Citizenship
Sunday, March 29, 2009
2:00-4:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman StreetCitizenship Weekend Details – April 18th in Philadelphia and Carlisle, April 19th in Allentown
*There is no charge for this application assistance but individuals are responsible for filing fees, postage & biometrics*
You must register for these events in advance and receive an appointment time by calling:
(215) 609-1534 or (215) 893-8400 for John Thompson at Nationalities Service Center, 9am-5pm and Mondays until 7pm
OR
(215) 832-0900 or (215) 832-0922 for Jamie or Vilma at HIAS and Council, 9am-5pm and Tuesdays until 7pm
Philadelphia – Saturday April 18th
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Location: Nationalities Service Center, 1216 Arch Street, 4th floor, Philadelphia, PACarlisle – Saturday April 18th
Time: 12 pm – 6 pm
Location: The Dickinson School of Law (Advantica Building) 1170 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17013Allentown – Sunday April 19th
Times: 10 AM – 4 PM
Location: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown, 530 Union Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18109International Women’s Day 2009
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!
Please take this time to remember the incredible women in your life and those that paved the way before you!I could not have asked for a more perfect day! I started my day in fellowship at The Well and then participating in the IWD 2009 Conference in Center City, Philadelphia. I was a bit nervous about speaking, as I rarely get the chance to speak about faith before my peers in the LGBTQ of Color community. It is less stressful speaking before communities I have less of a personal stake in.
I made some great connections. Suraya Pakzad, Executive Director of Voices of Women Organization, came to speak about Women and Violance in Afghanistan. I was also able to finally meet Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, Virgina Gutierrez, President of the Board at Equality Advocates, and Wahaadah Shabazz-El of Women’s HIV Network.
The Anna Crusis Women’s Choir sang “Bread and Roses” (btw one of my favorite charities) and the Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas performed Aztec ceremonical rituals and dances. I am extremely humbled that people wanted TDP to faciliate new inter-faith LGBT dinscussions. Many also asked for my business card after my presentation. I definitely did not expect that reaction.
I was disappointed not to see Vanessa Brown at the conference. She is one of our newly elected State Representatives. I met her last year at a Progressive Leadership Women of Color brunch. I asked her when I first met her about the ways in which she intended to address LGBTQ issues in her district but did not receive an answer. I thought, perhaps the second time around would be the charm.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PHILADELPHIA COALITION
LIBERATION – EQUALITY – JUSTICE!SUNDAY MARCH 8, 2009
PROGRAM12:00- 1:00PM RALLY AND MARCH @ CITY HALL
1:00- 1:30PM MARCH to FAMILY PLANNING COUNCIL
260 S. BROAD STREET1:30- 2:30PM LUNCH/REFRESHMENTS
2:30 – 2:45PM CEREMONIAL OPENING
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego NuevoOPENING/WELCOME/LIBATIONS by Soda Nobuhle, Arleen Olshan
2:45 -3:00PM CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Anna Crusis Women’s Choir3:00-4:00PM Anti-War and International Union Solidarity
Kathy Black, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)The United Nations (UN) Conference on Women
Berta Joubert-CeciSingle Payer Health Care
Patty Eakin, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurses
and Allied ProfessionalsWomen and HIV/AIDS
Waheedah Shabazz-El, Women’s HIV NetworkCULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Sisters in Music and Poetry: Monnette Sudler and Trapeta MaysonLesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Communities – A Political Perspective
Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs City of PhiladelphiaQueer Womyn on Faith and Spirituality
Kathrin P. Ivanovic, Principal Blogger at The Diversity ProjektViolence Towards Women Abroad: A Darfuran Women Speaks
About Rape as a Weapon of Genocide in Sudan
Fatima HarounWomen’s Heart and Health
Blanca Marti, Nurse Practitioner4:00-5:00 PM Womyn of Color- A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Perspective LGBTQ Womyn of Color ConferenceCULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Creativity in Movement, Misia DeneaTransgender Womyn of Color – Action, Advocacy, Allies
Jaci AdamsWomen In Politics
State Representative Vanessa BrownEmployee Free Choice Act
Roni Green, SEIUSpoken in Arabic – Multicultural/Multiethnic Organizing
Nehad Khadir, Arab Women’s CommitteeCULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Songs of Hope, Fatimah LorénOccupational Safety and Health Issues Related to Women
Barbara Rahke, Director, Philadelphia Area Project on
Occupational Safety and HealthCULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego NuevoWomen and Diabetes
Juanita FigueroaHousing: The Foreclosure Crisis
Louise FrancisWomen and Violence In Afghanistan
Suraya PakzadImmigration and Health Care Access
Teresa Conejo5:00-5:30PM CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Poetry in Motion, Shayna SheNess Israel (SITY)CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego NuevoAction Plan
ALL5:30-6:00PM Reflections/Closing
Sherrie Cohen, Soda Nobuhle, Arleen OlshanIWD Philadelphia Coalition thanks its 2009 Sponsors: AFSCME District Council 47, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Anna Crusis Choir, Beta Phi Omega Sorority Inc., Carmen Bilingual toys and books, Café con Chocolate, Coalition for Labor Union Women, Code Pink, Darfur Alert Coalition, Hearts and More by Moon Queen, Lia Sophia, MayDay Committee, National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, PA Federation BMWED-IBT, Passion Party Consulting, Partnership for Prescription Assistance, Philadelphia International Action Center, Philadelphia NOW, Planned Parenthood, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas , Safeguards and Family Planning Council, Sisterspace, Sisters United @ The COLOURS Organization, Inc., Tacto Peruano, The COLOURS Organization Inc., The Womyn’s Village, Women’s Community Revitalization Project.
www.myspace.com/iwdphiladelphia; Email: iwdphiladelphia@yahoo.com; Phone: 267-997-8160
CAIR Philly @ Villanova Don’t ‘Iraq’ Iran
I am liveblogging the “Don’t ‘Iraq’ Iran: Finding a Peaceful Resolution to the Iran Crisis” seminar co-sponsored by the Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition and Villanova University.
As the Bush Administration continually turns to military action as its fundamental tool of diplomacy, scores of Americans are coming together to discuss alternative means of cross-cultural dialogue in an effort to find more viable solutions to our world’s problems.
Join me as I liveblog the Don’t ‘Iraq’ Iran round table discussion this Thursday, October 23, from 7:30 pm EST to 9:00 pm EST.
Since the event listing is buried on the Villanova website – at the bottom of the list, just above the “Rock for Darfur concert – I am glad that I received an invitation through CAIR Philly. Otherwise I might have missed it altogether.
Since its establishment in 1994, CAIR has worked to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America. Through media relations, lobbying, education and advocacy, CAIR puts forth an Islamic perspective to ensure the Muslim voice is represented. In offering this perspective, CAIR seeks to empower the American Muslim community and encourage their participation in political and social activism. (from the website)
Several local bloggers who are interested in interfaith initiatives have raised interested in joining me for the liveblog. I will provide updates as I receive confirmations. I look forward to your comments during the liveblog!
PBS “Germans in America” – The Desirable German Narrative
PBS aired a re-run of the entire Germans in America series the other night. I was able to see the entire series for the first time, instead of taking it in piecemeal. This four-part series examines German settlers who came to America in the early 18th Century, particularly how they adjusted to life in America, their experiences in moving and settling westward, and the ways that their descendants have maintained aspects of German culture today.
While I understand the representation of early German settlers is quite ethnically homogeneous, the exclusion of multi-ethnic Germans in the last segment is disappointing. It provides a fundamentally distorted and inaccurate representation of German populations in America today, particularly taking into account German-American relations since the Second World War. Nevertheless, this inaccurate portrayal is right on par with the way diversity in German society continues to be represented in the Motherland. Or, is it the Fatherland?! Regardless, this series once again recounts the history of white Germans in the United States, while ignoring any degree of diversity among Americans of German descent or recent immigrants from Germany.
Germans in America is primarily funded by Goethe Institute USA, German Originality and German Information Center USA, organizations that are major players in funding German cultural projects, both contemporary and historical. In funding such projects as this, these organizations are perpetuating exclusionary practices and attitudes about what does and does not constitute German identity. As the documentary traces the histories of various German American families from the 18th Century to the present, including representations of multi-ethnic Germans in that generational narrative would not create unwanted disjointedness. In fact, it would only add to discussions of ethnic diversity throughout the German diaspora.
Afro/Black Germans are still largely absent from the the contemporary narrative of Germans in America and in Germany. A considerable portion of us have either made America our permanent home or lead transcontinental lives. Also, more than 10% of the German population consists of immigrants and migrants, 3% or 2.7 million of whom are of Turkish background, and 6% are of Afro and Indo-Asian descent. Recent data shows that 30% of Germans aged 15 years and younger have at least one parent born abroad. Nevertheless, this is rarely evident in the ways in which government or government sponsored and academic entities have chosen to represent Germany’s cultural and ethnic demographics.
Save for a few indie documentaries such as the May Ayim story, there are little to no films about People of Color in Germany. More books by and about Afro Germans are published and enter the market every year. I hope that this translates into an increase in representations beyond the written word as well.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License
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