Comments on: Raising Multicultural Children in an Un-PC World

By: unknownmami

unknownmami — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:08:13 +0000

It's not necessary to put so much though into something that you grew up hearing over and over. For me it is impossible to hear the name without making the reference. I do understand that most people will not make that reference and that it is not ill intentioned, but there is nothing wrong with remembering history and growing from there. I wouldn't have even thought of it if Manny were not Latino. A Caucasian Handy Manny would have been just as catchy and memorable.

By: Savannah

Savannah — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:25:05 +0000

Did you ever stop think that maybe its just something catchy...and maybe it really doesn't have a meaning behind it. My son LOVES Handy Manny. Kids remember those catchy phrases and names better. Im sure you've heard a few on Sesame Street.

Just a thought.
Or maybe some shouldn't put SO MUCH thought into things.

By: M

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:56:00 +0000

I'm new to this blog, and this post intrigued me quite a bit. I am a bilingual American with no latino background, but I have a Masters degree in Spanish Linguistics and I am raising my now-5-month-old son to be bilingual (i.e. I only speak Spanish with him). I find your comments extremely interesting for the following reasons:1. I think cultural understanding is very important, and yes, it is something that is sorely lacking in this country. That being said, I think that there is a lot of irony in that Americans are criticized for being "racist", and yet people feel free to stereotype them at a whim without repercussion. A perfect example from your post is the way in which the "white guys" were speaking in the urban dictionary's definition of "manuel labor". I'm sorry that that terminology exists, but I'm also sorry that the idea of racial stereotyping is so two-faced. America might need some education in the cultural realm, but we're not all idiots, we're not all closed-minded, and we're not all fat and ignorant. That's another potentially hurtful stereotype that no one, not even other Americans, minds propagating.2. Regarding the comments about people asking if you were Mexican, and also the comments left by Mrs.Notouching above: I empathize with your feelings, but I hope that there is some level of understanding about why people do such things. When I was living in Europe, people asked me similar questions all the time. Also, here in my own country, I have a latino last name but I am not latina, and yet I always get questions about it. I should also mention that my first name is very different as well, and I hear comments about that all the time, too. I can see how such things can be offensive, but I hope that everyone knows that it's not intrinsically American to do them, but rather intrinsically human. We're all curious about everyone else, on some level…and we don't always mean to do or say the things we do. I do hope that one day issues like this can be resolved…but as long as there are inquisitive humans on earth, and as long as we all have different backgrounds, it's going to be hard to stop. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that racism or stereotyping is acceptable. Of course it isn't! Of course it's not right to stereotype and be racist, but I think what we need is more cultural education (starting at the familial level) and a higher level of tolerance instead of blanket remarks about one society or another. Just a thought. Great post! 🙂

By: mrs.notouching

mrs.notouching — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:51:00 +0000

I am Lithuanian, but have been living in the states for over 10 years. At least once a month there is somebody who says: "I love your accent! Where are you from? WAIT! Don't tell me! I WANT to guess!"… Do they EVER guess my nationality? NO. And how awesome it is to stand and listen to a stranger calling you "Swedish?" "Danish?" "Oh I know! You are Russian!" "Ukrainian?"…

By: Tammy Howard

Tammy Howard — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:41:00 +0000

It is absolutely appalling, the things that are still said. I taught a class on respecting diversity for educators and the things people would say or do and then try to excuse with "I didn't mean anything by it" were ridiculous.

By: Helen McGinn

Helen McGinn — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:20:00 +0000

This is just wrong. I have nothing to compare it with, coming from Scotland and having neither experienced this nor felt so compelled to comment on someones appearance or, for that matter, the colour of their skin for any reason; I can only say it appalls me that you have had to endure this. I'm loving your blog.Helen x

By: 3 Bay B Chicks

3 Bay B Chicks — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:01:00 +0000

This is an incredibly thought-provoking post. My son regularly watches Handy Manny and I have never thought of the show in this light. Somewhat sad on my part. The good news is that at least I have the background now to do something about it. Really great stuff you are doing here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.In other news, I see that you are a fellow Bay Area blogger. Hooray! It seems we are a bit few and far between. If you are ever interested in connecting with other fellow locals, we started a group on Facebook to do so:http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=81379964792&ref=tsHope you will check it out sometime.Keep writing from your heart. It is wonderful to read.-Francesca