Send us your e-mail for  free newsletter:

Multicultural Moments - a periodic newsletter ezine with brief items of note on our multicultural lives.   See prior editions in our Archives.

(Newsletter/Ezine #12.02.06)

It's been too long since our last edition!  I've been immersed in an 8-month project...very rewarding (see results).  So many news choices...here goes:

Migration

Countries worldwide continue to experience an ever-growing influx of peoples from other cultures as we travel and work abroad from our home countries.   For example, not only are Mexicans migrating to the U.S., Americans are the largest immigrant group in Mexico.  Many of the increasing over-age-50 population in the U.S. find Mexico an attractive retirement location.  Proponents see a commercial boon; others fear culture dilution. While this intermingling of languages and customs can be challenging, it also presents opportunities for expanding our minds and broadening our perspectives.   Researchers at the University of Illinois just ran a "groupthink" study which proved conclusively that those working with others out-performed those working alone.  Bringing other cultural viewpoints into the process increases the perimeter of possibilities.  (Reference:  Prevention, September 2006)

Local Global

Recently I attended a meeting of the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change (CCUC), a sub-group of the Field Museum in Chicago http://www.fieldmuseum.org/ccuc/.  "Through research, programs and access to collections, CCUC reveals the power of cultural difference to transform social life and promote social change."  They focus particularly on the educational system, providing support to teachers and students.  Judging by what I saw, the children are actively involved in learning about each other and celebrating each others' traditions. Learning is enhanced through using different cultural teaching methods. This Cultural Connections partnership of 24 international ethnic museums and cultural centers exemplifies what people can do when they take action to understand and appreciate each other.  A lesson for our world. 

"I think that if I know what is precious to you, and you know what is precious to me, and we meet and start a conversation...we will have a much better conversation."

Yo-Yo Ma, Acclaimed Cellist and founder of the Silk Road Project

Education Eye-Openers

Speaking of lessons, various recent reports provide an eye-opening perspective on American education today:

• The top five college majors reflect a change in attitude from considering college years to be a time for discovery and exploration to one of focusing on job-related skills.  Most students now enroll in business, education, health sciences, computer/information sciences or visual/performing arts. Liberal Arts has dropped to 20% in many colleges.  I'm reminded of the advice from a former boss who rose to executive management as an engineer, after studying the humanities as an undergraduate:  "The sciences teach you what to think.  The humanities teach you how to think."   (U.S. Department of Education, August 2006)

• There has been an assumption for many years in the U.S. that the road to business success was through an ivy league school.  However, a recent poll of the nation's top chief executives found that the path to the corner office usually started at a state university.  (Wall Street Journal, September 18, 2006)

• There are 10,500 homeless children enrolled in Chicago schools as of October 14, 2006.   (Chicago Public Radio) 

• Anyone around young people today knows that their primary news source is the Internet−a development corroborated by various news media.

• The biggest appetite seniors have is for learning−using the world as their classroom.

Are We Who We Think We Are?

A 10-year study of 49 cultures in the Science journal reveals that the stereotypes we believe about ourselves−and others−may not be true.  Three perspectives were researched:  1) how people viewed themselves, 2) how people viewed relatives or close friends in their own culture, and 3) how people described the typical member of their culture.  In the first two categories the results were similar; in the third most were way off the mark.

• The Japanese aren't as neurotic as they feared.

• The Swiss are more emotive than they felt they were.

• The British seemed worst in knowing themselves, guessing they were more reserved and introverted than they actually are.

• Americans are a bit more pleasant than they expected.

• The Polish, it seems, do know themselves.

On the other hand, most cultures were able to identify at least one stereotypical characteristic that held true.  For example:

• Australians saw themselves as extroverts (studies say they are)

• German Swiss view themselves as very considerate (true)

• Canadians described themselves as amenable (yes, but a little less than average)

Common characteristic:  the research showed much of humanity is essentially as anxious, open, agreeable, outgoing and conscientious as anyone else anywhere.  (Reference: Chicago Tribune, October 2005)

What's In A Word

"Boy, that's great!"  In white America that saying has a long history of conveying praise, exclamation.  I remember hearing it all through my growing-up years in Indiana and we would say it to boys and girls alike, never questioning its origin or suspecting that anything negative was associated with it.  In the African-American community, however, the term "boy" has a different history, one where black men were called "boy" by whites as a demeaning term, particularly during the slavery years. 

In my work I recently encountered the following: a white company manager used this term with a young black intern who had just completed a project.  Although the young man said nothing in reply, a black woman manager was standing nearby and she was deeply offended.  She later pointed out to the white manager the significance of his statement, but he couldn't understand her viewpoint−to him he was praising the young man and the intern was, after all, young, little more than a boy.  They eventually resolved their differences, but this episode demonstrates that it is incumbent upon all of us to try to refrain from using words which may send the wrong message.  To do so can interfere with attaining our objectives (possibly even lead to legal action) and create needless disharmony.

Women in the News

It seems one cannot pick up a news journal without seeing another story about women's progress in today's world.  And talk about multicultural!  Consider:

• Indra Rising, East Indian-American CEO of PepsiCo (believes in constant reinvention).

• Andrea Jung, Chinese-American Chairman & CEO of Avon.

• Oprah Winfrey, African-American Chairman of Harpo.

• Ingrid Mattson, Canadian Muslim President of largest Muslim organization in North America

• Gabriela Montero, Acclaimed Venezuelan prodigy pianist "Bach & Beyond"

• Patricia Russo, Anglo-American CEO of Alcatel Lucent, headquartered in Paris

These are just a few of the high-fliers, but there are numerous other examples of successful women in all ranks of life, from students to mothers to members of the workforce to entrepreneurs, etc.  It's wonderful to see these opportunities opening up for the female gender, because I can remember well when that was not the case in the U.S. and, of course, there are still many restrictions for women worldwide.  Nevertheless I believe there is wisdom in celebrating the current success and continually working for greater opportunity.  The flip side of this is greater opportunity for men to pursue different lifestyles than past cultures condoned...I love seeing the dad's playing with their children in the park near my home. 
______________________________________________________________

That's all this time.  See blog comments from previous readers below...and we look forward to hearing from you!.

P.S. Take a look at our revised website at www.StarkeyGrp.com with new links to more resources, archives of this newsletter and sample case studies.

Judith Starkey
Multicultural  Strategies                
Keynotes-Seminars-Training-Consulting-Coaching-Products

We welcome your comments...real stories are always the best.
  Let us know what topics you would like to see covered.
  Forward this to others who may benefit.

Sample Blog Responses to Newsletter/Ezine #12.01.06:

• On "Touching Value": "The whole subject of touching in our society is interesting...particularly this new thing that seems to have arisen in recent years...men hugging when greeting each other ( here in our culture...obviously it's been happening elsewhere historically).  I can't remember where I saw a short piece on that, and whether it was in writing or on TV, but it was about how men seem to do it routinely now, but it's still rather awkward for most of them.  There was a whole discussion of how to approach the other guy, where to hug, how long, etc., and that it very often looks like both parties are extremely uncomfortable...almost like they think it's expected or is "cool" but they really don't like doing it, or don't feel like they know how.  I guess that latter part is the interesting thing from a cultural change standpoint...that maybe men now feel it's expected or has become the thing to do ("standard" practice).  I guess it wouldn't happen in a business setting (or maybe not yet...Ha!), but it's very frequent in casual settings.  I'm sure you've seen it.  It's always been interesting to me how men in the Middle East walk down the street holding hands.  Two women would do it too, but it's of course taboo (or at least considered socially unacceptable) for a man and woman to hold hands in public.  I guess all the reverse of what would be "normal" in the U.S. and much of Europe."  JM
   
• "Excellent newsletter on many issues that are finally seeing the light of day, i.e., "Touching Value," so I'm forwarding it to an RN friend that does healing touch for a living."  LW
   
• "Great newsletter!!! As a 'Multicultural Tactophile' I enjoyed the comments about Tactophobic Americans.  The piece about multicultural branding is a gem.  Thank you." MW
   
• "Thanks...interesting stuff.  I learned some of this the hard way while traveling across the pond in my other life -- particularly in China and Indonesia and even a couple of stops in Africa and Burma.  Best not to over-do the 'touching factor' in the office in today's culture--otherwise one is very likely to end up in court.  Life continues to be, in many respects, a challenge."  RD
   
• "Nice Job, Judith!"  TR
   
• "Thanks for the newsletter-- lots of good information here."  BR
   
• "Hey Judith...this is the first of these issues I've received...very nice...keep 'em coming!" DG
   
• "Great job, Judith.  Very interesting edition. I hope you can keep the format..it is very attractive and I like the very effective use of color." "  RL
   
• "Hi Judith.  When you come to Israel you will see that 99% of the population here are always hugging and kissing one another. That is Jew or Arab."  SM
   
• "Your comments are more than interesting." BB

For permission to reproduce this newsletter in a publication, contact us at the address below.

In the past you or your organization has indicated interest in our work.  If you no longer wish to receive these periodic newsletters, simply “Reply” to this e-mail with the word “Remove” in the “Subject” line.

To continue receiving Multicultural Moments be sure to notify your e-mail service.  Adding our e-mail to your address list will assure receipt through spam filters.  If you're not on our mailing list, contact us now to get your free copy of Multicultural Moments.

Contact Us
Judith A. Starkey, President
The Starkey Group, Inc.
3180 N. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 17G
Chicago, Illinois 607657-4867 USA
Phone:  773 348 0421
Fax:  773 348 3683
E-Mail:  jas@StarkeyGrp.com or StarkeyGrp@aol.com
Website:  www.StarkeyGrp.com
MultiCultural Strategies

We respect your privacy and will not reveal your identity without authorization.
This revised version published October 19, 2006

Copyright © 2006-08 The Starkey Group, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
This Webpage Last Updated October 2008