World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20. Refugees are amazing, resilient people who despite being forcibly displaced start over again and create new lives. Every year we celebrate them and their contributions to communities worldwide. Come join us!
Our diversifying workplaces are challenging us to be more flexible when it comes to accomodations for religious requests. Let's not kid ourselves--this issue has been around for a long time. Maybe we made sure that there wasn't any pork in the potluck baked beans because Dave is Jewish, or maybe Sally just really would prefer to not work Saturdays because she's a Seventh Day Adventist. Now with Muslim populations entering Maine's workforce, we also need to re-think things like dress codes, prayer breaks, and holiday time. It's not unreasonable, and if we think about it's not that new of a concept. It's also the law. Many illustrious companies have been sued, such as American Airlines, Alamo Rent-A-Car, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Disney (Aladdin and Princess Jasmine refused comment)--all for not making reasonable accomodations to staff's religiously based requests.
This week we applaud the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce for taking on the issue directly and proactively. In a few weeks they will be hosting a brown bag luncheon and panel discussion to to increase the knowledge about certain religious practices, define what is a reasonable accommodation under the law, and identify work practices that create barriers as well as work practices and solutions that are recommended. Date & Location: July 7th, 11:30a-1pm, Business Service Center at KeyBank Plaza, 415 Lisbon St., Lewiston, ME
Here are two great events that are ways to learn more about our refugee communities. One is in Lewiston, the other is in Portland. Both will be casual, fun ways to get to know your new neighbors.
Downtown Girls: A Reflection of Community- April 29-June 10th, 2011. Opening Reception: Friday April 29 4-7pm. This photovoice project equipped young girls with cameras and invited themt o document their worlds. A series of fifty images give a glimpse into their lives, and an insight into Lewiston's newest immigrant community, as seen through that community's youngest members. Location: L/A Arts Community Gallery, 221 Lisbon Street, Lewiston ME
New Mainer's Event - May 7th, 2011 from 1-3pm, sponsored by Catholic Charities Refugee & Immigration Services. This year we will have a DJ, an arts & crafts table, kickball games, face painting, jewelry making, and lots of food! For more information contact Aimee Vlachos-Bullard at 523-2737 or abullard@ccmaine.org. Location: USM University Green, 23 Bedford Street, Portland. Parking is available in the lot next to the green.
Today I watched a brilliant talk by Patricia Ryan, an English teacher in Dubai:
She asks a great question: "If I knew a monolingual Dutch speaker who knew the cure for cancer, would I stop him from entering my British university? I don't think so, but that is exactly what we do!" She asks, how many skills are we overlooking because this genius does not speak English? What if Einstein had to pass the TOEFL?
In some cases scientists have failed to reach the correct answer because their languages and ideas didn't and couldn't help them visualize the question in the right way. Any interpreter can tell you that we think about some ideas in one language, some ideas in another. Why? Because it's just easier, that particular language lends itself to the discussion at hand.
There are currently 6,000 languages in the world, and in 90 years we will have only 600. That means that a language dies every 14 days. Imagine! That means that in a year the world loses 26 different ways of describing the human experience.
As an interpreter, I cannot count the number of brilliant people I know who have struggled to learn English. Brilliant people who may speak more than one non-English language, but who are unable to figure out our grammar and syntax. Does that make them less intelligent than we who have spoken English since birth (and, incidentally, can only speak one language)? Furthermore, what happens when the elder generations can no longer communicate their wisdom to their grandchildren who no longer speak their language?
Ryan points out that the price of even taking the TOEFL are sometimes cost-prohibitive. The reality is that even for those who will never attend college, learning even basic English is sometimes economically unfeasible. Many drop out of basic ESL classes because they need to work. It is ironic that when you are working two or three jobs to support your family and guarantee that your children can someday attend college, that you might not have time or energy at the end of the day to learn English yourself.
Every interpreter has been asked, "But why can't this person just learn English?" This is a question that we all struggle to answer. "They are learning." "It's hard for them." "I'm here because they want to express themselves fully." -- all are quick, pat answers that we offer. However, as Ryan points out, the question is larger--yes, we all can learn English, but what will we lose if we do?
March is looking to be a fun month! All work and no play makes for dull minds, so you'll find us celebrating at two great events to raise money for two keystones of the Portland immigrant & refugee community.
The first is Portland Public Schools' Rock Around the World event. Proceeds go to support an intensive summer school of English Language Learning students. A great cause, but the party itself is worth the ticket price. Great foods from many nations, and dance music from the U.S. and beyond. Impromptu dance lessons abound, and there's no shame if you can't do the steps because it's guaranteed that everyone will be learning at least one new dance that night! Date: Friday, March 11, 7-11 pm, Italian Heritage Center in Portland.
The second is Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project's CeleSoirée, a night of art, music and food. Few art shows are as fun as ILAP's. There is live music (this year drumming by Jordan Benissan and flamenco by Olas--both will make you want to move your feet and clap your hands) and more delicious food than you can imagine. And the silent art auction--so much, such talent! ILAP's work has touched the lives of countless immigrant and refugee families in Maine. Supporting an amazing organization and possibly winning some breathtaking art. How can you go wrong? Date: March 25th, 5pm-9pm at the Portland Company, 58 Fore Street in Portland.
