http://blogs.valpo.edu/midwestlit/2011/04/09/the-fun-side-of-region-diversity/ Exploring drama, poetry, and prose in the US heartland Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:38:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://blogs.valpo.edu/midwestlit/2011/04/09/the-fun-side-of-region-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-459 ppenning Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:31:11 +0000 http://blogs.valpo.edu/midwestlit/?p=509#comment-459 Hooray for diversity! I grew up in DeMotte, not exactly part of the region. In DeMotte, we do have other nationalities, but still the largest "ethnic" group is Dutch. The Dutch were the ones who settled the area years ago and many of their families remained in the area. Over the years people of other nationalities have come to live in this community. When I was in junior high or high school, DeMotte started a summer festival. At first it was called Town and Country Days, but soon the name was changed to the more original, Touch of Dutch Festival. Two or three years ago the name was changed back to the original name because the promoters were afraid of offending the non-Dutch population. The Rotary Ramble 5K race run every year still has trophies that are engraved wooden shoes. I think it was a mistake to change the name, but I'm Dutch, so maybe I'm biased. Since coming to VU, I have been exposed to much more diversity than in the little town of DeMotte. I enjoy talking to and becoming friends with people of many different nationalities. As I raised my daughters, I tried to celebrate different heritages when I had a chance—in our home we always ate (and still do) food that represents different cultures: Mexican on Cinqo de Mayo, Irish on St. Patrick's Day, and Chinese on Chinese New Year. I know this may seem trite, but it is just one of the ways we can recognize the nationalities that make up our great nation and its visitors. More than that, we can welcome and befriend people whose heritage is different than our own and when we do our lives will be enriched. Hooray for diversity!
I grew up in DeMotte, not exactly part of the region. In DeMotte, we do have other nationalities, but still the largest “ethnic” group is Dutch. The Dutch were the ones who settled the area years ago and many of their families remained in the area. Over the years people of other nationalities have come to live in this community. When I was in junior high or high school, DeMotte started a summer festival. At first it was called Town and Country Days, but soon the name was changed to the more original, Touch of Dutch Festival. Two or three years ago the name was changed back to the original name because the promoters were afraid of offending the non-Dutch population. The Rotary Ramble 5K race run every year still has trophies that are engraved wooden shoes. I think it was a mistake to change the name, but I’m Dutch, so maybe I’m biased.
Since coming to VU, I have been exposed to much more diversity than in the little town of DeMotte. I enjoy talking to and becoming friends with people of many different nationalities. As I raised my daughters, I tried to celebrate different heritages when I had a chance—in our home we always ate (and still do) food that represents different cultures: Mexican on Cinqo de Mayo, Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and Chinese on Chinese New Year. I know this may seem trite, but it is just one of the ways we can recognize the nationalities that make up our great nation and its visitors. More than that, we can welcome and befriend people whose heritage is different than our own and when we do our lives will be enriched.

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