New in Town? Let's Go See the Cites!!

I've been looking all around and I've found a couple of pretty interesting sources for my topic. For book references, my Ethnic Studies textbook has a lot of interesting articles on the American culture and the assimilation of minoirty groups. I've also found

http://www.psych.umn.edu/courses/spring05/yoob/psy3301/reading%20packet/ethnic%20identity%20in%20adolescents%20and%20adults%20review%20of%20research.pdf
-A review of research on the subject of cultural loss or mistaken ethnic identity in children and adults.

http://www.asian-nation.org/assimilation.shtml
-A site dedicated to Asian youth and their culture, or lack thereof. I find it interesting that it explores the fact that this issue goes deeper than just the Asian community, that it affects us all.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070924104616.htm
-An Article that explains a 3 year study about how children of first generation immigrants are more aware and involved in their culture and how that leads to more of a willingness to interact with other races. If race is understood, it is no longer feared so the difference is race is resolved.

http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/politics/faculty/chandra/ars2005.pdf
-A viewpoint of ethnic identity in a political sense; it looks at its relations to society;s woes as well as prospers.

Carpe Diem, Live for the Day. Tell one person exactly what you think of them. It's fun, liberating, and honest. try it.

Hours, Will You Marry Me?

For my engagement hours, (ahah get it? engagement? title?) I intend to go to come of the Multi-cultural center's movie viewings as well as participate in the discussions after. I also intend to talk to the minoirty youths I know and even visit my little brother's elementary school (where Nicki works) and observe as well as talk to those kids. It shall be fun.. I'll bring my Pokemon and Yi-Gi-Oh cards.

So, in order to become civilly involved in my topic, I have to find out what my local community is experiencing and doing about the issue of cultural deprivation in our youth. In the days of Pokemon and Batman, it's hard to compete with "superheroes" when all we have are regular human beings, (or everyday heroes in my book.) In my community, there is definitely effort being asserted to inspire kids to follow the ways of their ancestors and learn about their heritage. For example, the Buddhist temple in my neighborhood offers Chinese school on a daily basis and I've heard of many multi-cultural fairs and festivals in my neighborhood., even Sac State has a multi-cultural center and movie viewings to support minority students. I know that many Asian organizations make an effort to put on shows and exhibits during the various Asian New Year Celebrations, but the lure isn't appropriate. They have to compete with Saturday cartoons and new action hero movies. How has our culture become subordinate to the "American" culture? Like every fight in the beginning, it all starts with a dream and leads to momentous results. I say, Let Diversity Ring.