Multicultural

This is my (Sal) favorite weblinked to UMMAlpha's Homepage because "multicultural" is something that we can all relate. We live in a time in America where many of us young generation come from a mulicultured background (e.g. dad may be African American and mom may be Caucasian American). However, we can't really label ourselves just one race or two because we have ancestors from more than one race.

Growin-Up in St. Paul

For example, my parents are from the Philippines, but my great grandparents in my father side is from Spain-European. I can be consider Asian-European American. When I was growing-up in St. Paul, I didn't really thought much about people ethnic-cultural background. I just look at everbody as the same!

I don't want to make your mind boggle because mine is already as I'm writing this. My main reason for writing this is to share my personal testimony on how God revealed my true identity in Christ, which I'm now part of a bigger family/group-family in Christ (no matter what race, ethnicity, or anytype of background)!

Local: UMM-Morris Cultural Share

Some multicultural experiences so far in this area is having the opportunity to come share my Filipino culture in the nearby elementary schools. During college, the local Morris Area Elementary Schools had a Cultural Awarenss Day, where local adults share their specific cultural ethnic backgrounds. I shared some basic facts on the Philippines to some different grade levels. It was an awesome learning opportunity for both of us-presenters and the presentee. There was one time I was invited by a friend of mine temporarily teaching (teachers aid for his Ed. Major) at a small town north of Alexandria-Militona, MN. They had many types of questions from-do you have houses, is there a McDonalds there, etc... I had a chance to show-up my breakdancing moves and a movie-video from the Philippines. After this experience, I've learned to share as much of my culture instead of complaining what people don't know about "me" or "cultural backgrounds" overall around rural west-central Minnesota.

-Multicultural Retreat 1999

Also, the Multicultural Retreat I participated in college, which was the first annual one that still continues today!

One section of the circle of retreat attendees during a dialogue

Chris and Dan doing a skit

State-Twin Cities Experience

My favorite christian multicultural events are the Heart of the City events they have all over the Twin Cities area. It's an opportunity where brothers and sisters in Christ can get together after the "most segregated hour of the week", which is church on Sundays (@10am) where different racial groups get together in their own churches-a popular saying by Martin Luther King Jr.

Summer Picnic

Main Stage in 1999, where different groups performed

Nation Experience

I had the privilege visiting Martin Luther King Jr.'s Museum-King Center (and other related sites) in Atlanta, GA for an African-American Student Conference called-Impact 2000 (every other year event for African-American christians and others from different college campuses across the nation). After learning so much about him on the books growing-up, it was an awesome experience to see "live" what this infamous "world changer" from the Civil Rights Movement did through this museum. This was during one of the breaks of this once-a-lifetime conference for me.

Below are some resources on "multiculturalism", which I've grown to learn a lot more since attending UMM through many activities I participated (eg. Gateway 98', RA at Clayton A. Gay Hall, and many other numerous student activities).

Workplace

Ethnic Stores

Ethnic Music

Immigrants

Performing Arts

Restaurants

Theatres

Worship Experience

Business

Career/Internships/Jobs Opportunities

Foundations

Ministries

Music

Articles

Bible

-Church