What
it means to be Multicultural in St. Louis, Missouri
Merriam-Webster
defines multicultural:
of, relating to, reflecting, or adapted to or including many
different cultures, diverse cultures. It is further \defined as Of,
relating to, or including several cultures. Of or relating to a
social or educational theory that encourages interest in many
cultures within a society rather than in only a mainstream culture.
(This description feels very unfeeling and vague.)
Having
lived in St. Louis since 1970, my family has really seen the city's
transformation from post segregational redlining to coming into its
own with a constant stream of fresh immigrants revitalizing the
diversity of the populous. There was a time when people of color knew
not to cross Market Street (the dividing line) South, and white
people were afraid to cross it going North. Until a few decades ago,
it was almost impossible to buy simple everyday immigrant groceries
or even find a place to worship. In the not too distant past, it was
also considered taboo to marry outside ones faith or caste or race.
Many people today though they tolerate it viscerally, still find it
hurtful or offensive if it were their child. It is repugnant that
even today,especially
in the immigrant community,
marrying outside the faith or the race is looked down upon and may
even spell social death on certain levels. What does it mean to be
Multicultural? Especially in our large small town of St. Louis,
Missouri?
It
means wrapping your arms around EVERYONE! It means including all
into your
family! It means celebrating the diversity of cultures and
highlighting the beauty of unconditionally
welcoming
the merger. Stepping up and welcoming them personally, individually
into your home, into your houses of worship. It means finding ALL of
the common ground that you can by seeking out real information and
educating yourself and others. It means attending full services at
different houses of worship, at different dinner tables and putting
in the time to know people personally and candidly, It means having
the hard, respectful fact finding conversations about religion and
politics that everyone seems to want to avoid these days.
If
the past is any indication: Avoidance only breeds and perpetuates
ignorance. Racism
was born from Fear and Ignorance and it is their most terrible
offspring. Multicultural is not a badge that you can just put on and
take off when it is popular/convenient or to make a sale or to use as
a clever tag-line. Yes, until you are truly ready and are doing these
things, TODAY and EVERYDAY, you cannot and should not attempt to wear
the title of calling yourself MULTICULTURAL in STL or anywhere for
that matter.
Wrap
your arms around your global family and Love Thy Neighbor.
Big
Bow Events, LLC
St.
Louis' First and Finest Multicultural Event Specialists
www.bigbowevents.net
