Okay, this is a slightly strange title for a blog by me, so it deserves some background. I’ve reblogged this from Holistic Journey. The feisty Diana loves to take on social issues and is one of my favorite bloggers. Lately she has been taking on the issue of race by asking her followers from around the world to respond to a series of questions. Today is my turn. D starts by asking us to define our race. You will learn a little more about me, but more importantly, I share my views on this important issue that never seems to go away.
1)
How do you define yourself racially or ethnically and why is it important to you?
An analysis of my DNA by Ancestry.com shows that my ancestors came from Western Europe, Ireland, Scandinavia and Spain, which makes me about as Caucasian as one can be. I find my ethnicity interesting from a historical perspective. On a personal level, I believe who we are as individuals is much more important than our ethnicity.
2) Where do you live? If you have ever moved, whether to another city or the other side of the world, please tell us when and where, and the ways the cultural differences between the places shaped or made you think about your identity.
I live in Southern Oregon – northwestern United States – surrounded by national forests. I was raised in a small, rural town in Northern California. My first move was to University of California, Berkeley…
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What powerful insights! It made me think of my own experiences in shaping thoughts on who we are and our influence by and with others. Peggy
The true value of being principal of an elementary school where 19 different language were spoken. And you succeeded in pulling the whole community together. The world could learn a lesson or two from you, Peggy. –Curt
Curtis Mekemson!! Your Alaska fans are trying to contact you! Okay, maybe we are slow to learn to Google up here and having a memory that serves up a correct last name spelling would have helped but here you are!
What a wonderful treat to hear from you Nancy.Earlier today I responded to your friend request. And yes, if you spell my name right, I show up.:) But I get the memory bit. And the name isn’t all that easy. So now you have caught me, what next? –Curt
You’ve led an interesting, thoughtful, and brave life Curt.
A very nice thought… thanks. I’ve also had a lot of fun along the way. –Curt
Your answers were very interesting Curt – will be interesting to read those of others with different backgrounds.
Wayfarer has done a good job of bringing a variety of people from differing backgrounds and different countries to write about the issue. As I noted AC, the subject was different from what I normally blog about but I appreciated both the opportunity and the challenge. –Curt
A really interesting interview and a life to look back on, and take forward, with pride. These are questions I often ask myself. The willingness to be without racial prejudice is not the same as being without it. For those of us who have lived in a relatively homogenous community, it needs to be worked on continuously. I rejoice to see my children interacting with people from an even greater variety of backgrounds than have come my way. I have always hoped that if we stir the world gene pot long enough, the words black and white, in a racial context, will become useless.
I hope so Hilary, recognizing how incredibly difficult that is. I certainly had a period in my life when the race issue simply disappeared. Ever so slowly we are making headway. –Curt