I found this to be a fantastic approach to Multicultural Marketing in today’s global world. Readily recognizable Telemundo announcer, Andres Cantor, but in English, and great underlying connection to World Cup right now.

I’d be curious to know the intended target audience for the ad and the response, but it strikes me as an ad that reflects the nature of today’s global society–people of different backgrounds interact in the same space all the time. 

I’m bi-lingual so I don’t think I even noticed Cantor was speaking Spanish*, and as the wife of a Brazilian I think I’ve been hearing the “GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL” and excitement about soccer for years—particularly a lot recently with World Cup on in waiting rooms, school cafeterias and more in recent weeks.   

But then as a double check I asked my Brazilian husband, who used to do real-time translation/sports broadcasting for ESPN when they were expanding their presence in Brazil in the 90’s—“Do you think most non-Hispanic USAmericans would recognize this broadcaster?”

He did not.

This makes the ad even more interesting…an ad targeted to the Hispanic Market that is primarily in English, with Spanish more as a sidebar—not carrying the message. 

This completely recognizes the changing face of the Hispanic market—with second and third generation immigrants, fluent in English, with English the language spoken in the home as well.  It’s a more current take on the idea of Hispanic Target Market.

What do you think?  Do you recognize Cantor?  Are you bi-lingual?  How/does the ad speak to you?

*Translation (from respondent on Geico’s Youtube site) It’s a fierce match today and (whover that guy is) is thinking! He’s thinking! We will see what he’s going to do. Will he move the queen or will he move the horse? How suspenseful! It’s coming! Coming coming coming GOAAAAAAAAAAAAA…

As someone married to an “Eugenio” (Brazilian Portuguese ay-oh-ZHEN-ee-oh) I was delighted to find the website Hearnames.com, which offers audio pronunciation by native speakers of hundreds of names in 44 language categories. 

Dale Carnegie taught millions how to Win Friends and Influence People with ideas like “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”  And in today’s global market, interacting and selling “in any language” is indeed a reality. 

Telling Jianguo “how about if I just call you Jim,” especially if he’s the CEO, might not bode well for your big international deal!

I heard about the site from Andres Tapia, author of The Inclusion Paradox and Chief Diversity Officer of Hewitt Associates, on his blog (via @joegerstandt, @andresttapia on Twitter).  His point, well taken, is that

To achieve inclusion, we need to know how to constructively call out our differences. But what if you can’t even pronounce each others’ names?”

What if you need more advanced lessons?  You won’t want to miss twochinesecharacters tongue tennis.  I’m not even going to try to explain.  But, as a marketer I’ve got to respect their use of visuals, and it does work (take a look at the link above).

I finally wrote a love poem to my husband 10 years into our marriage.  In the poem I pointed out “I would have written sooner, but the problem YOU-MAY-KNOW, was finding the right word, to rhyme with EU-GEN-IO.” 

Hmm…any websites to help with that?  What about you?  Do you have a hard name to pronounce?  How is your pronunciation?

WIXX (101.1FM) rightly decided to stop airing a peculiar 1950s ballad about a love-struck Native American couple after listeners complained about the banter surrounding the song, “Running Bear.” Listeners told Menominee tribal member Richie Plass, a Native American activist, that whooping and inappropriate comments regarding Native Americans accompanied the song, which aired regularly on Fridays on “Murphy in the Morning” until last week.

Another recent event that screamed cultural ignorance was the students who dressed as the KKK to create a film for a history class in Lumpkin County, and caused concern and fear when they walked through the cafeteria at their school.  One response of the school district (in addition to putting the teacher on leave while the incident is investigated) was to “review all class films for approval before proceeding.”

I would love to create a “tool kit” sort of dialogue box that would be required any time an incident like this happens.  As the Greenbay editorial says, ignorance should no longer be an excuse for perpetuating stereotypes.  That said, the dialogue following an event like this usually gets stopped at”what were they thinking,” or in a contrast between “you’re racist” and “you’re too sensitive.” (If you’re not sure what I mean, read through the comments following reporting of any incident of this kind.)

And in the end, the solution is usually “we will never do this again.”  That sounds good–public institutions, media, etc. should not be perpetuating racism. 

But the unfortunate side is that in the absence of good, deep facilitated dialogue to understand the origins of the stereotype, the different cultural perspectives and how we can learn from this incident, we end up silenced. 

And it was silence and complicity that allowed racism to grow in the first place.

What conversations are you not having?

I need to go take a shower.

I just caught myself talking to my husband’s kindly Indian colleague over the phone like he was an idiot, plus I read this article by Tim Wise “Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black,” and realized I am guilty. (This is a must read!)

One, because looking at actual numbers I had assumed the tea party was inconsequential, and two, because, between me, you, the lamppost and my conscience, I would have been scared last week when I had to walk through a dispersing crowd at a Tea Party rally in Spokane, had the group been black.

It was ironic that just next door to the Spokane Convention Center where the Tea Party Rally was held was the Doubletree Hotel, where the SIETAR USA conference was being held.  SIETAR, the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research was talking about living and working in an intercultural world (I was in town for the latter).

On my way to dinner I had to walk alone through the crowd of mostly older, white men and women, dressed in blue jeans and American flags, carrying signs condemning Obama and his policies.  My dramatic protest?  I said “no thank you” when offered their printed propaganda.  Ooohh, you are so brave!

Using the Peggy McIntosh model, White Privilege is questioning why moderate Muslim leaders don’t vocally condemn fanatical Muslims, while standing quietly aside and disassociating myself from radical White Christians.

But this is also a good “wake-up call.”  While I strive to be aware of my own cultural orientation, biases and communication style, it is said that when under stress we revert to those first learned.  

In other words, when faced with the day to day challenges of life (balancing work, family, health, economy, etc.) or events more dramatic, we might revert to our “natural” or first learned communication tendencies, and forget our intercultural yearnings.

Shwooh—I guess the good news is that I’ve realized all of this before leaving my house this morning.  Good thing I haven’t done anything stupid like publicizing my unconscious bias on a public blog or something.

Anything you want to come clean about?  How does recognizing your unconscious gut responses make you a better person?

Photo credit flickr Rachid Lamzah

Intercultural Talk was delighted to catch up with Dr. Charlton McIlwain following his ‘appearance’ on DoctorRadio on Sirius/XM Radio earlier this week, talking about “Teaching Kids about Race.” 

1.  What are the top three pointers you have for parents when teaching kids about race?

2.  Does how one talks about race with their children change based on the race of the parents, e.g. will (should?) African-Americans teach it differently than Caucasians?  If a family is multi-racial, will that make it different?

That’s a good question. I think my first reaction would be to say no – that how one talks about race with children should be the same no matter your racial/ethnic background. That being said, it is certainly likely that the content of what one talks about will be quite different. When we look at the historical underpinnings of race and racism people of different backgrounds have played very different roles and groups of people have been affected differently. Thus, a white parent speaking to his or her children may find themselves explaining to their children what role other whites had in something like slavery, or having to answer a question like, “Why do Black people think I’m a racist because I’m White?” On the other hand, a  Black parent may find him or herself addressing comments or questions like, “Why are White people prejudiced? or Why are there so few people that look like me on Television or in my school textbook? A multiracial family may find themselves having to address all of these and more! The truth is, everyone from all backgrounds should probably confront all of these types of questions and issues, but some may be more salient than others depending on one’s background.
 

3.  How might parents avoid passing along their own unconscious bias when talking to kids about race?

Being able and willing to recognize them when they come up. Be willing to point out and talk about those biases when they are expressed by their children. Try to impress on children that when they express some bias or prejudice, the object is not simply to not say it or express it again. It’s to think through why those biases may or may not be true, hurtful, harmful, etc.. In this way kids learn to be aware of and be able to police their own biases and expressions rather than merely censoring them.

4.  Any tips for helping children respond if they are the recipients of a racist remark (or does even asking this question set up a defensiveness going in for the child) 

Try to teach them that they should not respond in kind. Try to teach them that they should not accept or internalize the underlying prejudices and sentiments of the remark. Try to teach them that in many cases they should seek out an ally – a parent, teacher, principal – who will be able to talk to the person who made the remark.

5.  What question am I missing? What final advice might you provide for parents?

I would say that point one under question one is by far the most important thing. Make sure you are willing, and that your children know you are willing to talk about race and racial issues any time – before something happens, after something happens, if nothing happens…

Dr. McIlwain is an Associate Professor of Media, Culture & Communication at New York University.  His expertise, research and teaching focus on race and media and racial discourse in the United States.  Intercultural Talk ( @cultureguru) recommends keeping up with him @cmcilwain) and @smcaliendo and their Project on Race in Political Communication on Twitter.

Any additional tips you would share?  What’s worked for you?  What hasn’t?

Not only did she get his signature, but everyone else at the party, my mom shared.  “When I walked in, only me and your father, and maybe one or two other people were white.  Everyone else was black, Asian, Hispanic…” my mom said of the recent gathering at her former Teachers Aide’s graduation party in St. Louis. 

For my mom, it was the passion for the animals that had her determined to speak with everyone at the party.  But at the end of the day it was my mom, who at 74, having grown up and lived in a predominantly white neighborhood her whole life, who had a transformational experience.  She was so excited to share that with me.  “I can’t believe I wouldn’t have met all these amazing people or had such great conversations,” she said, if she had pre-judged outcomes based on skin color or ethnic origin.

I appreciated her sharing it, and realized there are great applications to intercultural communications, whether you are a practitioner  or just practicing it in your own life:

1. It is possible to have influence up and down the “food chain.”

I talk a lot about Intercultural Parenting and raising culturally sensitive kids.  How wonderful to know that my parents have been listening as well.  My mom enjoyed the experience of the party, but also was very excited to share it with me. 

2.  You can teach an old dog new tricks.

My mom would kill me if she thought in any way I was calling her an ‘old dog,’ but the point is that we can learn new things every day.  Every new experience offers a new perspective. 

Before the end of the weekend my dad also was proud to share his story of the woman he connected with at the doctor’s office in Chicago.   He, a nearly 80 year old white guy, she a young African American nurse.  Turns out that a couple of generations apart they had grown up around the corner from each other, attended the same elementary school, and he’s going to check upon his return to to St. Louis, but she may even be related to one of his business colleagues.

Which brings me to the third lesson:

3. You can’t change others, but by changing yourself you automatically change your influence with others.

“Do what I say, not what I do” might be something we try to use on our children to get complicity, but our actions speak louder than words.  And sometimes it may feel we are repeating the same things over and over, but it’s nice to see that our own consistent vocalizaiont of ideas supported by action may be rubbing off. 

Leading by example.  Who have you influenced lately?

When I was growing up, every year on Passover our tradition was that my sisters and I could each invite one non-Jewish friend (aka Gentile) to join us at Seder.  It was only in reinstating that practice as an adult, did I realize there might be some angst involved on the part of the guest, when our friend called frantic four times from the grocery store to make sure she was getting the right ingredients for the dish she was preparing.

So, if you happen to be attending a Seder tonight, here are a few tips to feel right at home.

Beware of “Chometz”

Many (most?) dinner guests hate to arrive without bringing something for the hostess, but what to bring during Passover?  Even if your host does not keep kosher, it’s best to stick with the “Kosher for Passover” mark on packages to be safe (ask for the Passover Section if your grocery store has one—in big stores that may be in a temporary area, separate from the Jewish section.) 

Don’t worry about baking something 1.) Because “Chometz”–anything that when mixed with water that can pass for a leavening agent is forbidden (e.g. yeast, flour, oats, barley, spelt and rye), except for Matzo, and 2.) In “really” kosher homes there are rules about which dishes you use and what food items can touch which dishes (some will have three sets of dishes/cookware:  one for milk, one for meat, and one just for Passover.) 

Macaroons are usually a safe bet, kosher wine, or those brightly colored fruit/gel slices.

Eat before you come.

Not really, there will be a huge meal after the Seder, but remember even the kids haggaddah that jumps right to the key activities will take an hour—a traditional Seder in Hebrew can last six hours!  So if you are invited for 6 pm (Sundown), assume you won’t be eating until after 7.  Plus there are either four cups (by ‘law’) or four sips (by practice) of wine during the Seder, so if you get tipsy easily on an empty stomach, have a little “nosh” beforehand.

Do not drink the wine from the Cup of Elijah

Although this was a favorite trick as a teenager, when no one was looking, to drink from the extra cup of wine set for the Prophet Elijah (look, Ma, it’s a miracle!), don’t do it at your Seder.  By tradition, the wine is poured and the door opened in the hopes that Elijah will join you at the table.  The belief is that when the prophet Elijah comes there will be peace on earth. 

This tip is right up there with don’t eat the Afikomen (the “dessert” Matzo that is hidden for the children to find), but if you give the child who finds the afikomen an extra $5 or $10 prize–you will be the favorite Seder guest for years to come!

Passover celebrates the gift of the 10 commandments, the belief in one god, and the liberation of the Jewish slaves in Egypt under Moses’ leadership (the flat Matzo is the symbol because the Jews didn’t have time to allow the bread to rise in their haste to flee). 

It’s a holiday to celebrate freedom, but also to remember and pray for those still enslaved around the world today.

Happy Passover.

 Photo credit flickr: AlphaTangoBravo/Adam Baker

US business culture norms today are all about action and the bottom line.  “Show me the money!”

Think about it.   If Socrates were working at a corporation in the US today, with all of his thinking and pontificating, his boss might say “he’s full of baloney…what has he actually DONE?” (or more likely, “Socrates, stop blowing hot air and get back to work!”)

What started me thinking about how time period and culture change our view of things, was the NY Times article on Sunday, “A Charlie Chan Film Stirs an Old Controversy,” about sreenings of a 1968 long lost documentary “The Great Charlie Chan,” in New York in February, and scheduled again for March 16.

My first reaction?  “I loved Charlie Chan detective movies when I was a kid.”

So I was a little uneasy when I read the author’s, Pradnya Joshi, thoughts:

“For many activists, Charlie Chan remains a symbol of Hollywood’s failure to accurately portray Asians and Asian-Americans. The character was usually played by white actors who were made up to seem Asian and who spoke English with an exaggerated accent.”

On the flipside, an earlier article from a 2006 release of a Charlie Chan collection, author Dave Kehr proffers that the films were not racist, “by the standards of their time.” 

That phrase, “standards of their time” rings to me of majority privilege, as in nobody got mad because it was okay in that time.  But okay to whom?  Or, was it actually offensive then too, but there was no power or place to voice that offense?

Beyond Chan’s character (and his son who talks like a typical American teenager of the time, for some fun generational contrast), more uncomfortable to me, from this clip from “Shadows Over Chinatown” (below) is the exaggerated personification of the African American butler, played by Mantan Moreland. (Indeed after years of success as a comedic actor Moreland was ostracized for demeaning representations as the civil rights movement grew in the 1950’s.)

What do Socrates, Charlie Chan and intercultural communications have in common?  

We are who we are, where we are, when we are.  Feeling guilty about how we reacted to things in the past is useless. Knew knowledge and exposure to multiple perspectives allows us to integrate new insights, reconceptualize our ideas, and apply them to future interactions.

For Socrates, I’m sticking to the “great man” theory.  For Charlie Chan, I think I’ll take a deeper look, particularly at how the representations reflect the society at the time, and changes that have evolved since then.

Anything unsettling popping up from your childhood?  How do you reconcile incongruities between your former and current self?

photo credit, Raphael’s Socrates, via University of Florida Philosophy Department .  Thanks to @prpc on Twitter for link to original article.