Multicultural Night- what to do?

[Anonymous]

Of all the places in the US that are countries, after First Nations, Texas is the countriest.

Texans didn't come to the US from the anywhere Texas itself joined the union.

The people who "told you" are dumb and you should ignore them. What are you afraid of?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just do Ireland or whatever country your ancestors came from! I’d like to see PTA people questioning you lol

OP here- I feel like this is really inauthentic. I think some of what dd is upset about is the feeling that we don't have an exciting culture like everyone else does, but we do! Our culture just doesn't extend outside of the US. I had some really neat ancestors here. One was a well known female pioneer that my dd is named after even.

I guess you're not at a 40% Asian or Hisoanic school where being non-Hispanic white is quirky.

The good schools go all big tent for STEAM and Culture night, to the point where it has become Personality and Hobby Night, and Im here for it. Be the change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid made a T-shirt with a pie chart representing all the places his ancesters were from (it had six pieces). And he put out some stuff about each of those places, plus the U.S.A. It lead to interesting conversations with him about things like which country do we use for the French branch of the family since they were in Canada for several generations in between France and the US? Do we include the U.K. for the Irish ancestor who was born in Liverpool on the way to the boat so is technically British, but would roll over in his grave if you said so? What do we do about the Branch who have been in the US for so long we can't trace where they came from? Assume UK? And one branch wrote Prussia on the census, but that doesn't exist anymore, so German maybe? The Autria-Hungary-Slavak part of the family got really confusing to try to sort out though.

Right now we're Italian; we used to be German; the borders keep shifting around! Merano!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I'm sorry, it sounds like your PTO is mistaken. Send them a link to the dictionary entry for "culture" and force them to let you represent Texas. I imagine that everyone on your PTO is white American and don't know what they are talking about.

You are one of today's 10000 who learned that non white people can be ignorant and casually racist too. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I'm sorry, it sounds like your PTO is mistaken. Send them a link to the dictionary entry for "culture" and force them to let you represent Texas. I imagine that everyone on your PTO is white American and don't know what they are talking about.

I side with OP in being allowed to self-identify her own family's culture.

But as an aside, you are likely right that everyone on the PTO is white American--because that is who volunteers for PTOs!

Don't dis them. Thank them for taking their limited time to organize events.

Then step up and volunteer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I'm sorry, it sounds like your PTO is mistaken. Send them a link to the dictionary entry for "culture" and force them to let you represent Texas. I imagine that everyone on your PTO is white American and don't know what they are talking about.

I side with OP in being allowed to self-identify her own family's culture.

But as an aside, you are likely right that everyone on the PTO is white American--because that is who volunteers for PTOs!

Don't dis them. Thank them for taking their limited time to organize events.

Then step up and volunteer!

This times a million! And the reason you are not seeing "insert race/culture" into international nights is because those people CHOSE not to participate, just like the choose not to join the PTO or volunteer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Multicultural night has rolled around again. To summarize you’re supposed to represent the country your ancestors are from. Food, dance, costume. Dd is upset at us that she doesn’t have a country to represent. We had asked with our older son if we could choose a random country or a State and were told no. We’re from Texas- Dh and I actually can dance country western and we have cowboy boots plus our families have specific foods we’ve eaten for generations.

Dh and I were debating a country and just making one up for dd. We don’t have any that would add up to more than 1/16 in dd, definitely none in the 20th century +.

I frankly don’t care, but dd does. I told her we’d attend. We’ve had the conversation a few times and she won’t drop it. I wish there was something I could do.

This is how I remember multicultural night from 20 years ago, when I was still a teacher. I thought it had changed. I remember when ours did - we specifically added in the ability to do a state or really anything the kid wanted to do, and actively discouraged some of the (white) teachers who had been doing things like dressing up in sombreros and selling tacos at the Mexico station. But really, if you think about it, the night is a horrible idea and just a breeding ground for all kind of potential offenses and exclusions and general stupidity. I actively got involved in our school's to change this, because I'm Jewish and remember how when I was kid, a million years ago, I dreaded my schools annual "international night" because we didn't tell people in our town that we were Jewish and so I had to make something up every year. So sad to hear that schools are still doing it that way.

Can you explain the bolded? I really do not understand how a volunteer event where families are welcomed into the school and can choose what to do/show/present is exclusionist.

[Anonymous]

Just take whatever you want. Next time don't ask ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid made a T-shirt with a pie chart representing all the places his ancesters were from (it had six pieces). And he put out some stuff about each of those places, plus the U.S.A. It lead to interesting conversations with him about things like which country do we use for the French branch of the family since they were in Canada for several generations in between France and the US? Do we include the U.K. for the Irish ancestor who was born in Liverpool on the way to the boat so is technically British, but would roll over in his grave if you said so? What do we do about the Branch who have been in the US for so long we can't trace where they came from? Assume UK? And one branch wrote Prussia on the census, but that doesn't exist anymore, so German maybe? The Autria-Hungary-Slavak part of the family got really confusing to try to sort out though.

Right now we're Italian; we used to be German; the borders keep shifting around! Merano!

Any objections? Nein!

[Anonymous]

Go for Texas. Take little cards explaining how Texas was once an independent country. Don’t deny everyone the opportunity to taste Tex-Amex treats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Multicultural night has rolled around again. To summarize you’re supposed to represent the country your ancestors are from. Food, dance, costume. Dd is upset at us that she doesn’t have a country to represent. We had asked with our older son if we could choose a random country or a State and were told no. We’re from Texas- Dh and I actually can dance country western and we have cowboy boots plus our families have specific foods we’ve eaten for generations.

Dh and I were debating a country and just making one up for dd. We don’t have any that would add up to more than 1/16 in dd, definitely none in the 20th century +.

I frankly don’t care, but dd does. I told her we’d attend. We’ve had the conversation a few times and she won’t drop it. I wish there was something I could do.

This is how I remember multicultural night from 20 years ago, when I was still a teacher. I thought it had changed. I remember when ours did - we specifically added in the ability to do a state or really anything the kid wanted to do, and actively discouraged some of the (white) teachers who had been doing things like dressing up in sombreros and selling tacos at the Mexico station. But really, if you think about it, the night is a horrible idea and just a breeding ground for all kind of potential offenses and exclusions and general stupidity. I actively got involved in our school's to change this, because I'm Jewish and remember how when I was kid, a million years ago, I dreaded my schools annual "international night" because we didn't tell people in our town that we were Jewish and so I had to make something up every year. So sad to hear that schools are still doing it that way.

Can you explain the bolded? I really do not understand how a volunteer event where families are welcomed into the school and can choose what to do/show/present is exclusionist.

NP: Because it’s not as welcoming as it might sound if you’re Native American, or African American, or a descendant of Holocaust survivors, or a refugee, or adopted. Even when the school activity seemingly offers options, it’s not an activity that’s uniformly positive or even neutral for many students and their families. It’s easier to just have a festival— and encourage kids to bring things that they enjoy— that they think others might enjoy, and give family recipes, something they encountered during travels, etc. as possible suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Our multicultural festival was amazing. Dozens of countries and cultures represented. It was a true celebration of diversity, and everyone was interested in learning about others' experiences.

I understand that are some potential political and historical differences. But positives outweigh the negatives! Share your experience, whatever it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Multicultural night has rolled around again. To summarize you’re supposed to represent the country your ancestors are from. Food, dance, costume. Dd is upset at us that she doesn’t have a country to represent. We had asked with our older son if we could choose a random country or a State and were told no. We’re from Texas- Dh and I actually can dance country western and we have cowboy boots plus our families have specific foods we’ve eaten for generations.

Dh and I were debating a country and just making one up for dd. We don’t have any that would add up to more than 1/16 in dd, definitely none in the 20th century +.

I frankly don’t care, but dd does. I told her we’d attend. We’ve had the conversation a few times and she won’t drop it. I wish there was something I could do.

This is how I remember multicultural night from 20 years ago, when I was still a teacher. I thought it had changed. I remember when ours did - we specifically added in the ability to do a state or really anything the kid wanted to do, and actively discouraged some of the (white) teachers who had been doing things like dressing up in sombreros and selling tacos at the Mexico station. But really, if you think about it, the night is a horrible idea and just a breeding ground for all kind of potential offenses and exclusions and general stupidity. I actively got involved in our school's to change this, because I'm Jewish and remember how when I was kid, a million years ago, I dreaded my schools annual "international night" because we didn't tell people in our town that we were Jewish and so I had to make something up every year. So sad to hear that schools are still doing it that way.

Can you explain the bolded? I really do not understand how a volunteer event where families are welcomed into the school and can choose what to do/show/present is exclusionist.

NP: Because it’s not as welcoming as it might sound if you’re Native American, or African American, or a descendant of Holocaust survivors, or a refugee, or adopted. Even when the school activity seemingly offers options, it’s not an activity that’s uniformly positive or even neutral for many students and their families. It’s easier to just have a festival— and encourage kids to bring things that they enjoy— that they think others might enjoy, and give family recipes, something they encountered during travels, etc. as possible suggestions.

But our school also has a celebration of Hispanic heritage, Asian pacific month, black culture nights. We don't worry about those days not being welcoming. Seems like people are looking for ways to get offended. Ours is also held after school, so no one has to come or tell their kids about it if they don't want to participate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I feel like if I choose America I would be mocking those who really do have a cultural identity outside of the US. I asked because you have to submit your country prior to the event. But surely I’m not the only one with this problem? What about American Indians or African Americans who can’t pinpoint a country? I noticed there weren’t any AAs represented at the last multicultural night and I figure they don’t feel welcome either.

Why can’t it be “ancestry night” or similar so that it’s not tied to a country? I had some very interesting ancestors!

You are way overthinking this and seemingly letting yourself be totally controlled by a young ES school age child. I'm from Texas too. It does have a cultural experience, but many states do. It is not a country for purposes of multicultural night at a DMV ES. My white ancestors immigrated to TX because they wanted to take away territory from Mexicans and native americans (mine weren't rich enough to own slaves, but, I assume they felt like other people should be allowed to). Being a "pioneer" isn't any better, then you are giving a massive FU to native americans. Why open yourself to that kind of criticism? Your family immigrated here from Europe at some point. Pick one of those countries if your kid insists on dressing up. I feel like white people in the northeast tend to identify with their European ancestry more (maybe because they tend to be more recent immigrants), I don't know. This is one night. Lots of people won't be dressed up. I told my kids we weren't dressing up, and we brought something easy for food (think brownies or chocolate chip cookies from Costco). I didn't care at all if it matched our "country".

I grew up in Massachusetts. I can assure you that many of the people who I grew up with were not first or even second generation Irish, British, or Italian but there was very strong identification with being Irish, Italian, or a descendent of the Mayflower. It is a part of most peoples history and they hold it dear. Daughters of the Revolution is a thing. Trips to the homeland is a thing. The North End in Boston, very much a yummy, fattening thing. People gloss over the decimation of the Native Peoples in the region in favor of pride in being funders of the US and backbone workers of the US and the like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I feel like if I choose America I would be mocking those who really do have a cultural identity outside of the US. I asked because you have to submit your country prior to the event. But surely I’m not the only one with this problem? What about American Indians or African Americans who can’t pinpoint a country? I noticed there weren’t any AAs represented at the last multicultural night and I figure they don’t feel welcome either.

Why can’t it be “ancestry night” or similar so that it’s not tied to a country? I had some very interesting ancestors!

You are way overthinking this and seemingly letting yourself be totally controlled by a young ES school age child. I'm from Texas too. It does have a cultural experience, but many states do. It is not a country for purposes of multicultural night at a DMV ES. My white ancestors immigrated to TX because they wanted to take away territory from Mexicans and native americans (mine weren't rich enough to own slaves, but, I assume they felt like other people should be allowed to). Being a "pioneer" isn't any better, then you are giving a massive FU to native americans. Why open yourself to that kind of criticism? Your family immigrated here from Europe at some point. Pick one of those countries if your kid insists on dressing up. I feel like white people in the northeast tend to identify with their European ancestry more (maybe because they tend to be more recent immigrants), I don't know. This is one night. Lots of people won't be dressed up. I told my kids we weren't dressing up, and we brought something easy for food (think brownies or chocolate chip cookies from Costco). I didn't care at all if it matched our "country".

I grew up in Massachusetts. I can assure you that many of the people who I grew up with were not first or even second generation Irish, British, or Italian but there was very strong identification with being Irish, Italian, or a descendent of the Mayflower. It is a part of most peoples history and they hold it dear. Daughters of the Revolution is a thing. Trips to the homeland is a thing. The North End in Boston, very much a yummy, fattening thing. People gloss over the decimation of the Native Peoples in the region in favor of pride in being funders of the US and backbone workers of the US and the like.

The decimation was almost entirely through unintentional spread of disease.

We are not blaming China for covid, whether it came from a bat or a lab. Why are you blaming the colonists for the unintentional spread of disease?