Contributions to Society

We are a country made up of many cultures and ethnic groups.  Our country has been referred to as a melting pot - where all peoples come together and and eventually are all the same.  We have been referred to as a stew - where all peoples come together and take on some of the "flavors" of those around them while retaining there own distinct flavor and colors.  And the United States has been referred to as a salad - where all peoples come together and make a delicious meal but each ingredient is unique and retains it's own flavor.  I think all of these have been accurate descriptions of our country throughout history.  As Americans began to call themselves "American" it was the desire of many to have everyone be the same.  It was the desire of some in charge of running the country and it was the desire of some coming to this country.  That would be the "melting pot philosophy."  Then as leaders and the common man began to see the value in other cultures, America took on the "stew philosophy."  We could take on some of the aspects of other cultures while retaining our own cultural traits.  The "salad philosophy" is like we are one country but everyone is distinct.  Each culture is equally valuable and together makes up a great nation.

Not all subscribe to anyone of these philosophies.  I can see positives and negatives in all of them.  Regardless of what your own personal philosophy of the many varied cultures that make up America is, I hope we can all agree on one thing.  That one thing, is that America would not be the prosperous and blessed nation that we are without contributions of people from all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds.  I could start this series by focusing on the contributions of people from my ethnic background - German and Eastern Europe.  However, since Hispanics are such a major portion of public and political discourse these days, I have decided to start with that ethnic group.

Even before I lost a couple of followers over my last post, I had decided that I wanted to do this, so this post is not for that reason.  It's because I recognize that I wouldn't be where I am today with out contributions by courageous, brave, intelligent men and women from all countries.  Also, my grand-daughter has Hispanic blood running through her veins.  I want her to be proud of every bit of "her" history.  If I am going to help her to learn about her story, I have to be educated myself.

I found this great website called Hispanic Contributions to the United States of America.  Here is just a small amount of the information I learned there.

• In the Mexican-American War, Captain Juan Seguin and other Hispanic Texans fought at the Alamo against General Santa Anna's soldiers, essentially fighting alongside American heroes Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Travis.

• Father Junipero Serra, founder of the California missions, became a pioneer in the fight for human rights for the Native Americans.

• In medicine, Dr. Walter Reed is generally credited with originating the theory of yellow fever transmissions by mosquitoes. The truth is that he only confirmed this theory. Carlos Juan Finlay, a modest Cuban physician, was the one who actually originated it.

• In the art world, muralist Diego Rivera became known not only in Mexico but throughout the world.  He painted murals not only in Mexico but also in Detroit, San Francisco, and New York City.  He was married to another famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.

• Dr. Ellen Ochoa, in 1990, was the first Hispanic woman to become an astronaut.  She served on a nine-day mission aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1993. The astronauts were studying the Earth's ozone layer.

• Where would migrant farm workers be without Cesar Chavez?  He co-founded the United Farm Workers with another Hispanic, Dolores Huerta.  This organization helped farm laborers get improved working conditions and better wages.  He was also committed to limiting immigration and against the practice of hiring undocumented workers as strike-breakers.

• Remember the movie, Stand and Deliver?  The movie told the story of Jaime Escalante and his ability to reach East Los Angeles students through calculus.  It starred Edward James Olmos (a famous Hispanic actor) as Jaime.

• And I have to add Selena and the portrayer of her in the movie, Selena, Jennifer Lopez.  (Edward James Olmos was in this movie too.)  Selena was often called the Queen of Tejano music and was just to about to start a cross-over to American radio when she was murdered by the president of her fan club.

I could list hundreds of Hispanics that have made contributions to society and America.  As Americans, we should always remember that North America wasn't discovered by Europeans.  This continent existed for centuries before any white man set foot on the soil.  Once those first Europeans arrived and the nation of the United States was established, this has been a country of various peoples from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.  We are a better nation for the contributions made by these people.

How Childish Are You?

I am curious...and I like to have the last word.  In response to my post about Arizona's tough new immigration law, I lost a couple of followers.  Big deal, their choice.  In that post I included a link to a previous post where I vented some frustrations about illegal immigration and how it affected me personally. How childish do you have to be to do the following?  Some one commented on that post and asked me a question that I would be happy to answer for them.  Here is the problem...they didn't have the intestinal fortitude (guts) to leave a name with their comment.  Um..how would you like me to answer a question if I don't know who you are.  Here is the question they asked.

You make excellent points.


I'm curious, did your ancestors have green card or any working document ready to show when they arrived on Ellis Island? I'm guessing no. That is all.

Now, I'm guessing that this was a comment left by one of those who are no longer following me.  I readily admit that I have stopped following some blogs because the author held beliefs that I did not agree with.  Let me also say, I follow many blogs where I don't agree with everything that everyone posts.  The one or two I have stopped following were way out there in my opinion.  Ultimately, if someone doesn't want to follow me, then please leave if you don't enjoy what I write.  I'm fine with that.

Back to the question and my answer.  As a matter of fact, yes, my ancestors had all the proper documentation they were required to have when they came to this country.  THEY FOLLOWED THE RULES. 

And, in fact, my maternal grandmother traveled 4 times back and forth between the United States and Hungary between the ages of 2 and 16.  Her parents came to this country for a better life.  When she was 2 they returned to Hungary to help out HER grandparents.  She returned to the U.S.A.  by herself when she was 15 so she could maintain her American citizenship.  She left her parents in Hungary, her father working hard and her ill mother helping out when she could.  She then went back to Hungary again, BY HERSELF to retrieve her parents.  Unfortunately her mother passed away while in Hungary and her father would not return to the United States without his wife.  My grandmother (now 16) then got on another boat bound for the USA with her cousin who was 18 and a friend who was also 16.  These ocean voyages took weeks.  They didn't have any one traveling with them to insure their safety.  But they filed the proper paperwork to leave and return to this country every time because they wanted to be Americans. 

My ancestors wanted to have a better life.  They wanted to contribute to a nation they believed in.  They didn't come to this country and immediately start engaging in illegal activities.  They didn't try to smuggle their relatives into the country in their steamer trunk.  They worked hard, they paid taxes, they owned property and  they left a legacy that spans several generations.  My grandmother never regretted her decision to come to this country without her father.  She missed him and was sad that she would never see her parents again.

One more point I would like to make before I get off my soapbox.  Many that come to this country illegally -and I know there are illegals in this country who are NOT Hispanic - they claim that they come to this country illegally because the paperwork and the requirements are so stringent and costly and time-consuming.  Wanna know something?  It's much easier to get into this country now than it was 100 years ago.  Do you think that the requirements weren't stringent back then?  Do you think the paperwork wasn't costly back then?  Do you think it wasn't time-consuming back then?  People who TRULY want to be American citizens will do what it takes legally, not matter the cost, the time, the restrictions.

Sermon complete!

"Get Your Glam On" Fashion Show Review - part 2

If you are just tuning in , you are now in the middle of a three part Fashion Show Review of "Get Your Glam On".  Part 1 can be found on Rio Dell Baptist Church's Ruth's Room Blog - click here to go there.

If you are continuing from Ruth's Room's Blog - Welcome to Tally's Place!  Tally is the granddaughter of my wonderful, bestest friend, Cindi.  After reading the fashion show review be sure to come back and read some of Cindi's past posts - she is a talented multi-faceted writer that writes from the heart -

and become a follower so that you won't miss her future posts!

Now on to the "Get Your Glam On" Fashion Show Review............

This next outfit was like a math equation 3-1+1 = a great outfit!

 

This outfit started out with a matching tunic top - but we wanted to give the outfit a different direction - so it was out with the typical and enter the stylish two-color velour mini dress now top over cotton India pants and a sash wore as a headband.  Ending with some fabulous bronze heels...

Urban Chic - would wear well in the city or enjoying the life in the country.............

A green sleeveless dress topped with a gray button vest, belted together with a green and purple flower design belt - adorned with a wooden bead necklace, scarf and a leather backpack style bag ......

"Woodstock" was the first word spoken by the some of the audience when Evelyn came out in this 60's- inspired outfit. A purple suede zip up dress becomes a vest over the red turtle neck with a bit of modern update with the black corset belt.  The blue jeans have red roses embroidered down one leg and the pant legs are tucked into a pair of brown thick heeled ankle high brown boots.

This outfit Callie is wearing displays the use of different textures and layers using only black and white as the colors. The three-quarter length sleeve is a thick, fiber-woven top, with a black and white checked slim skirt over a pair of footless leggings and a pair of black and white vintage pumps.

This equestrian-inspired outfit started with a pair of authentic riding jodhpurs and a grey turtle neck and a red plaid buttoned blouse with elastic at the waist and ruffles on the bodice area and a red and black trimmed jacket and brown leather knee-high boots with buckles.   I think Callie is looking for her riding crop....

I'm seeing spots.....

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Genesis is having fun taking a stroll with a polka dotted dresses with an 80's flair. She is wearing a white, button-up blouse with small black polka dots underneath a strapless cotton, dark pink dress with large black polka dots. A thin knit shirt with floral designs becomes a pair of leggings and the ankle high black boots give it a rebel flair.  So Awesome!!!

Miss Evelyn is wearing a pair of black slacks that features a darling vintage appeal with the embellishments in front - styled after a "sailor's " look - there are buttons down each side trimmed in a vanilla white.  The thin strapped vanilla color, sequined tank was too long at first and  hid the front the slacks  - so a knot was made at the side where the tank had a drawstring feature and the strings came out of the middle of the knot..... Black and white bangles with a vintage drawstring bag adorned with beads finish the look.

'Lil Miss Sunshine

Molly appears refreshed in this pale yellow knee length dress.  It has a fitted top with some ruching in matching organza around the top. The full skirt makes it a fun dress to wear.  It is a beautiful contrast to Molly's dark eyes and locks.

Disco Fever

Here is Makala in a shiny out-of-sight outfit.  She is wearing a short-sleeved gold sequin mini-dress.  Her wedge heels were refashioned to complete the look - they started off being espadrilles with crocheted lace in the wedges, this was carefully removed and the soles masked with tape and spray painted in a metallic gold. Next, a thin layer of all-purpose tacky glue was applied to the whole heel, then sprinkled heavily with metallic gold large flake glitter. She was accessorized with silver belt and necklaces to compliment Lexi.

Flower Child - this one was a fun outfit to put together.....

She is wearing a rust-colored sweater mini-dress with Dolman sleeves. Layered under the dress is a burgundy tutu with fall leaves in the hem.  Across the body is a patchwork corduroy messenger bag, a headband of burgundy ribbon with smaller leaves flow nicely with Genesis long hair. Her shoes - which she is holding in her hand because she came out skipping along the runway -  are tall heeled with green straps that buckle around the ankle and are adorned with a purplish flower across the toes.

This darling vintage purple dress came in and it just had to go in the fashion show....

It is a 50's era dress with a straight waist and a full skirt fitted bodice and short sleeves.  To bring it up to date, it was paired with a brown blazer with the sleeves pushed up, brown knee length boots and a vinyl see-through messenger bag. Evelyn's sassy short hairstyle is an asset to this outfit.

Baby It's Cold Outside....

Here Callie looks stunning in this long slender evening gown of black and silver brocade.  Keeping her warm is a black faux-fur bolero jacket.  And topped off with a frosty white rose headband.

Off To The Kentucky Derby and then Tea with the Queen....

Molly is back with another classic outfit in this back with small white polka dot print dress that has layers at the hem to give it a full look.  It also repeats the layered look in the collar and two white buttons at the neckline for accent. A black hat with a scarf tied around the brim, long white gloves and a jeweled bracelet, a vintage black clasp top purse and black sling back heels complete this look. One lump or two?

of course in Hawaiian, Aloha means both Hello and Goodbye so Genesis is the last girl in part two....

...and she is ready to hit the beach and a luau with this authentic Hawaiian made sun dress. Genesis is wearing a red with white hibiscus and palm all-over print design.  Her flip-flops are made from wood.

 

This concludes the end of "Get Your Glam On" Fashion Show Review Part 2!  To continue on to Part Three and the conclusion of this review - head on over to ReFashioned Threads by clicking here.

Thank you Cindi for letting us invade your blog - *hugs to you*