This section will discuss how people who are not caucasion, Christian, heterosexual, or other minority identities need help, get help help, and work together to be sure their needs are met within and outside the mainstream culture
If there is anything we have learned so far, it is that we are not a negative version of mainstream people! If this is a message board for people who represent the diversity of our population, it should be described that way.
People who are caucasian, Christian, heterosexual, and otherwise not minorities should be welcome here, along with those who enjoy other cultural or religious backgrounds, every ethnicity, deliciously mixed parentage, rich or poor, tall or short, rolling or walking, goodnatured or eccentric, educated or practical.
We may not wish to share how we are members of a minority until we get to know you much, much better. Many of us demonstrate our diversity in ways that do not show on the outside, and it's up to us to decide what multicultural means in the best sense of the word.
I would appreciate it if anyone with a second or third language would translate my message and invite others to respond to it in their own words (and please, translate languages other than English back for me and others who are interested).
Nothing says people with nonmainstream identities are negatives. And nothing says people with nonmainstream identities cannot participate in an inclusive state forum. But it was pointed out to me that some of the needs of people with particular nonmainstream identities were being overlooked when it came to receiving the kind of support they needed and wanted post Katrina.
An example I received privately was how people were told where to find a priest and a minister at the silverdome for counsel, but if any Rabbi were there - no one knew.
There are some elements to be fully prepared in the future that may not come up in an individual state discussion - or people may want to discuss it with others who have the same needs rather than be the lone voice.
Re: Negatives Glad the original description was left off
September 2 2006, 2:42 PM
The original description of this discussion forum may have been written clumsily due to the urgency of the situation in the weeks following the devastation, but I believe that the spirit of inclusion and desire to help every person affected by the storm is what has carried us through this year.
Of course people should not be described as who they are not - whether the negative refers to race, religion, culture or mainstream regularities. The effort to invite everyone into our community by describing some as 'not' belonging to certain groups was well-intentioned and not meant to tread on the sensitivities of those who have been excluded through so many means.
There is great diversity among people who are 'mainstream' and children learn very early to hide their differences when inclusion is a program rather than a way of life. I hope everyone's voice is represented here no matter how badly worded the original invitation may have been.