Week 9: Dia de los Muertos

November 1, 2010:  Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place.  

One characteristic of American culture is that as a people we are always looking ahead.  This spirit keeps us moving forward and is a part of what foreigners admiringly refer to as “American optimism.”  On the other hand, how many ways can you think of in which we take the time to honor influences from our past, such as our family ancestors? 

This week, people from Mexico and other Latin American countries will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.  This is a joyous holiday marked by parties and processions, where friends and family come together to pray for loved ones who have died.  People will visit family gravesites so that they can be cleaned and decorated.  Picnics often follow, sometimes well into the night.  Offerings of food, sugar skulls, and orange marigolds are traditional.  The day is a wonderful reminder to all of us to give thanks to those who came before us.  

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as Mexico to find diversity.  There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right here at your school.  Find one today!

Week 8: the Statue of Liberty

October 25, 2010:  Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place. 

As students you will often be required to complete group projects.  On this week in 1886, the United States and France unveiled a group project that took over 10 years to complete:  the Statue of Liberty. 

We think of the Statue of Liberty as a gift from France—and indeed the statue was.  However, the United States was responsible for constructing the pedestal, or base.  This wasn’t as easy it sounds.  Initially planners tried to raise the needed funds from wealthy donors, but that didn’t work.  Then they lobbied Congress and the state of New York to pitch in, but they refused.  Work stopped.  It was only when a New York newspaper launched an all out fund raising campaign that appealed to the entire diversity of New Yorkers that enough funding was secured.  In fact, 80% of the money raised came from people who could only afford to donate one dollar or less.  

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as Liberty Island to find diversity.  There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right in your own school.  Find one today! 

Week 7: the Guggenheim Museum

October 18, 2010:  Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place. 

What shape comes to mind when you think of a museum building?  One of the most famous museums in the United States is shaped like a cupcake.  This week we celebrate the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City,  51 years ago.  

Many experts consider Frank Lloyd Wright the greatest American architect of all time, and the Guggenheim Museum is one of his most recognized works.  Dramatically casting aside the familiar system of floors and rooms, Wright designed the Guggenheim as a continuous, spiraling display space that moves up a circular building.  Though some critics complained at the time about its design, today the Guggenheim is considered a masterpiece.

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as New York City to find diversity.  There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right in your own school.  Find one today!

Week 6: J.K. Rowling

October 11, 2010:  Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place. 

Sometimes diversity comes in the form of an amazing individual who overcomes periods of suffering to achieve great success.  Joanne Murray was born in England in 1965.  After finishing her schooling, she had no luck building a career.  When she was 25, her mother died, causing her to fall into depression.  She later entered into a marriage that lasted one year.  At times, she needed government assistance.

But Ms. Murray loved to write.  She had been writing fantasy stories ever since she was a child.  Her big break came in 1997, when a London company published her first book—but only 1000 copies of it, and only under a pseudonym that hid the fact that she was a woman (so boys wouldn’t be scared away).  Her book became an overnight sensation, and 12 years ago this week, an American company in New York City began  publishing the same book:  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, written by J.K. Rowling.  The rest is history, or you could say, her-story. 

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as England or New York City to find diversity.  There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right here in your own school.  Find one today!

Week 5: the Korean Language

October 4, 2010:  Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place. 

How many of you have grown up taking pride in the language you speak?  There aren’t many people who take more pride in their language than the people of Korea, and rightfully so.  Up until about 550 years ago, the language used in Korea was so complex that only a small class of wealthy aristocrats could read and write.  They used language as an effective barrier to keep the masses illiterate. 

Then in 1446, King Sejong invented an entirely new language called Hangul, a language system that ordinary people could learn quickly.  Ever since then, Hangul has remained at the root of Korean culture and identity, and Korea has achieved one of the highest literacy rates in the world.  This week, Koreans around the world will be celebrating Hangul Day, a holiday that expresses pride in their language. 

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as Korea to find diversity.  There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right in your own school.  Find one today!