"Multi-culturalism" is not divisionary

July 15, 1993

Dear Greg,

     I want to comment on the editorial you wrote for the July 8 issue of the San Juan Record.  Though I agreed with the crux of the article and your idea of the need for united efforts whether it be between cities, counties or states, I question your use of the term "multi-culturalism" when you stated, "Dividing our county or nation along ethnic lines, such as with multi-culturalism, is not the answer."

  "Multi-culturalism" is not divisionary.  When used correctly, it means to respect, understand, and allow for differences in other cultures, yet uniting in a common American culture, while keeping our own culture alive.  This is a positive trait which allows for cultural plurality, while working together for the common good.  It is not a negative condition.  Indeed, our cities, counties and states are already multi-cultural; it's just that our mind set has not opened up to accept the diversity that already exists in our nation.  Indeed, a multi-cultural view is exactly what we must have if we are to make valid decisions for the future.  But you are right, ethnic separatism is not the answer.

     To make it work, especially in our county, it is time perhaps for all of us as a Americans to re-examine our outdated "melting pot" idea which theorizes that all nationalities melt together in the great crucible of America and all people become the same.  To an extent this has happened in the past, causing many Americans to lose all traces of their ethnic roots and heritage in the process.  What a loss, to not know who our ancestors were, where they came from nor what their culture was.

    As a participant in Project REACH (Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage) three summers ago, I replaced the "melting pot" with a "salad bowl" and encourage you to do the same.  Picture in your mind the best salad bar you've ever gone to and how you created your "green" salad.  It probably wasn't just "green" but included a wide variety of vegetable choices and condiments.

Camping and Dutch oven cooking around a campfire --
one of our favorite cultural activities.

    In like manner, the "Salad Bowl" of America tosses a wonderful variety of diverse cultures into our common bowl of American culture.  Instead of having a salad of 100 % iceberg lettuce with everyone the same, we have instead a multi-cultural feast ranging from Jerusalem artichokes, and Armenian cucumbers, to German zwieback.  We can enjoy and celebrate cultural diversity while still being united in a common cause.

    We become more united as we are tossed in the "bowl" of America together. Our common culture "bowl" may even include pushing lawn mowers, using golf tees, and eating ice cream, which, by the way, were all invented by Black Americans. It may even include eating Navajo tacos with Mexican Salsa, while drinking Kiwi juice and listening to Cajun music. Yes, we are already multi-cultural.  Let's start moving forward together to solve the problems of the future.

Sincerely,   Janet Wilcox    Managing editor, Blue Mountain Shadows

P.S.  Thanks to all of you multi-cultural folks who helped us prepare and celebrate our county's cultural diversity at the 4th annual Folk Festival in Blanding, July 3.  A special thanks to program organizers: Diane Carroll, and Neldon and Jolene Holt.   It was a great tossed salad!